Vehicle purchases suggest Beckwith, Morales aren’t looking out for Hoosiers

Indiana lawmakers are facing mounting budgetary challenges due to rising Medicaid costs and other financial priorities, yet recent actions by Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and Secretary of State Diego Morales have stirred controversy. Both officials used taxpayer dollars to purchase luxury SUVs — a $90,000 GMC Yukon Denali for Morales and an $88,000 Chevy Tahoe High Country for Beckwith — despite the state’s fiscal constraints. These high-end purchases have sparked backlash and prompted legislative action, including House Enrolled Act 1518, authored by Rep. Mitch Gore, which now mandates that state entities buy non-luxury vehicles. Gore criticized the contradiction of calling for budget cuts while indulging in extravagant government spending.

The expenditures have raised broader concerns about ethics and public trust. Morales’ SUV purchase drew further scrutiny due to campaign contributions from the dealership’s owner, who also serves on a state advisory board. Beckwith, meanwhile, requested a significant budget increase for his office, largely to fund faith-based initiatives, even as other departments were asked to trim spending. Critics, including ethicists and former lawmakers, argue that these actions damage public confidence and highlight the need for stronger ethics policies and oversight mechanisms in Indiana. They stress that transparent governance and responsible stewardship are critical for building the trust required to address the state’s pressing issues.4o