Demand Gov. Braun Reside in Indianapolis as Required by the Indiana Constitution

Why is Governor Mike Braun maintaining his primary residence in Jasper while conducting official business remotely? The Indiana Constitution, particularly Article 5, outlines the duties and responsibilities of the governor, implicitly requiring the governor to reside in the state capital, Indianapolis, to effectively fulfill their role. Governor Braun’s absence from Indianapolis undermines the principles of transparency, accountability, and accessibility that are essential to good governance. The governor’s residence in the capital is not merely a formality but a practical necessity to ensure close collaboration with state agencies, timely response to emergencies, and active engagement with the legislative and executive branches. By choosing to reside in Jasper, Governor Braun sets a precedent that disregards the constitutional spirit of maintaining a governor’s presence in the state capital. This decision raises serious questions about the governor’s commitment to the governance of Indiana and the effective execution of their duties. Additionally, Governor Braun’s remote work from Jasper directly violates his own executive order forbidding work from home for state employees, except in exceptional circumstances. This hypocrisy underscores a glaring double standard and erodes public trust in the governor’s leadership. Take action to enforce compliance with the constitutional expectations of the governor’s residence. Require: 1. Governor Braun to establish and maintain his official residence in Indianapolis. 2. Clear legislation or executive action to enforce the constitutional requirement for the governor to reside in the state capital. 3. Transparency in the governor’s schedule and location to ensure accountability to the people of Indiana. 4. Governor Braun to comply with his own executive order and cease remote work from Jasper, unless exceptional circumstances are clearly demonstrated and justified. The people of Indiana deserve a governor who is fully present and accessible in the state capital, ready to address the needs and concerns of all Hoosiers. We call on Governor Braun to rectify this situation promptly and to uphold the constitutional integrity of the office.