Calls grow louder for Indiana’s new governor to veto SB 1, a sweeping tax overhaul that critics say confuses voters and raises more questions than answers.

The Coalition of Central Indiana Tea Parties is turning up the heat on Republican Governor Mike Braun, demanding he veto Senate Bill 1 — a sprawling tax reform package backed by his own party. The group says the bill, which overhauls local property and income taxes, is a Trojan horse that betrays taxpayers instead of helping them.

They’re not alone. Some lawmakers and even Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith have voiced confusion about what the bill actually does. One thing’s for sure: it’s causing a rift inside Indiana’s Republican Party just months into Braun’s term.

Property Tax Promises Meet Political Reality

Governor Braun ran on a platform promising to ease the burden of property taxes on Indiana homeowners. It was a crowd-pleaser. But SB 1 is proving to be anything but simple — or popular.

The bill attempts to restructure how local governments collect property and income taxes, aiming to cap property tax increases while shifting some funding to other sources. But critics say it’s murky at best.

“I’m the lieutenant governor and I don’t understand this thing,” Micah Beckwith told reporters last week, raising eyebrows and drawing applause from grassroots groups like the Tea Party.

Some conservatives see SB 1 as a betrayal of basic Republican values. Others think Braun’s hands are tied.

Tea Party Pushback Comes with Sharp Rhetoric

Rick Barr of the Coalition of Central Indiana Tea Parties didn’t mince words during his interview with 21Alive’s John Wagner. His group, a longtime fiscal watchdog, says SB 1 is full of traps for homeowners and small-town budgets alike.

“It’s a scam,” Barr said flatly. “It’s complicated on purpose. It’s shifting money around so politicians can say they did something while people end up paying more.”

The Tea Party isn’t just ranting on Facebook. They’re organizing:

• Rallies planned at the statehouse later this week

• Open letters sent to Braun’s office and state legislators

• Local Tea Party chapters mobilizing constituents to call their reps

One paragraph from their letter reads, “We fought for lower taxes, not shell games. Don’t insult our intelligence. Kill this bill.”

Even GOP Lawmakers Are Divided

Not all Republicans are marching in lockstep on this one. The House approved the bill last week after a bitter floor debate, but several GOP members reportedly had reservations.

Some quietly supported the Tea Party’s concerns. Others admitted the bill is nearly unreadable. The full text of SB 1 runs more than 150 pages and includes more than a dozen amendments.

Here’s how the reactions break down among Indiana GOP lawmakers:

One rural GOP lawmaker anonymously told WPTA, “We’re being asked to trust that this will work. But I’ve seen what happens when we pass a bill we don’t understand.”

Democrats Say ‘Told You So’

Indiana Democrats wasted no time branding the bill as a “scam” — a word that’s quickly become the unofficial nickname for SB 1.

Rep. Greg Porter (D-Indianapolis) said on the House floor, “The more they change it, the worse it gets. You can put lipstick on this bill, but it’s still a mess.”

Some Democrats have floated alternative proposals, including direct property tax credits and targeted relief for seniors. But with Republicans controlling the legislature, those ideas haven’t gained traction.

Still, they’ve found unexpected allies in the Tea Party and even a few disillusioned Republicans.

Braun’s Dilemma: Loyalty or Legacy?

This is one of Governor Braun’s first major decisions since taking office in January. And it’s a big one.

Vetoing SB 1 could alienate legislative allies who helped get it passed. But signing it risks upsetting the conservative base that fueled his rise from the U.S. Senate to Indiana’s top job.

So far, Braun has stayed quiet — no veto threat, no signing ceremony either. Just a statement last week saying, “I’m reviewing the final language and listening to Hoosiers.”

That didn’t satisfy the Tea Party folks. And it’s only raising the political stakes.

What’s Next?

The bill is now on Braun’s desk. He has a matter of days to make his move. Behind the scenes, lobbyists, county officials, and grassroots activists are all jockeying for influence.

One sentence from a Tea Party newsletter summed up the tension: “If Braun signs this thing, he might regret it come re-election.”

That’s not an empty threat.

In Indiana politics, the Tea Party still holds sway — especially in Republican primaries. And with groups like Barr’s gearing up for a sustained campaign, SB 1 might become more than just a tax fight.

It could be the first real test of Braun’s loyalty — not to his party, but to the people who got him here.