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Indiana gubernatorial nominees have presented dueling property tax proposals, shifting the race’s focus toward the practicality of their relief plans, State Affairs’ Jarred Meeks reports. And Gov. Eric Holcomb is set to return today from an economic development venture to Australia and Singapore. More news below. — Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs
Gubernatorial property tax plan debate heats up: As Libertarian gubernatorial nominee Donald Rainwater touts his plan and criticizes GOP nominee Mike Braun’s plan, economists say tax revenues are needed to fund public services. (Meeks, State Affairs)
Holcomb eyes more foreign travel, possible LEAP District deals: Gov. Eric Holcomb is wrapping up his 24th international economic development trip, which took him to Australia and Singapore over the past week. (Davies, State Affairs)
STATE
Today: Key hearings in Delphi murder case begin — Delphi murders suspect Richard Allen will be back in court as the judge hears several critical motions, including whether jurors should hear confessions he allegedly made while incarcerated and whether his attorneys should be allowed to present a key part of their defense. (Phillips, IndyStar)
IU approves policy that will shutter pro-Palestinian camp at Indy campus: Board of trustees Chair W. Quinn Buckner said arrests and chaos at an IU Bloomington pro-Palestinian protest in April led the board to update and standardize policies across all campuses. (Rafford, MirrorIndy)
Small increase in state’s college graduation rate: Nearly half of Indiana college students graduated on time in 2023, a small increase in the number of Hoosiers who successfully earned degrees. (McCoy, WFYI-FM)
Valparaiso University announces program cuts; ‘modest reduction’ in faculty expected: Valparaiso University President José Padilla announced in a campus message which of the university’s academic programs are being cut, which are being “reimagined” and which ones will be re-evaluated in three years. (Lavalley, Post-Tribune)
Indiana’s corn, soybean crops ahead of schedule: According to a report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Indiana’s corn and soybean crops remain ahead of schedule and in very good condition. (Pfeiffer, Hoosier Ag Today)
LOCAL
South Bend police seek public help after hundreds of shots fired: The South Bend Police Department, which released a video from Sunday morning’s shooting, increased the victim count to four and said more than 200 rounds were fired. (Hughes, South Bend Tribune)
La Porte to vote Aug. 5 whether to restrict new smoke and vape shops downtown, near schools: The La Porte City Council is considering a measure that would require new smoke and vape shops to receive approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals and would mandate the shops be 1,000 feet or more from a school and other places where children typically gather. (Maddux, South Bend Tribune)
Bartholomew County attorney warns officeholders about paying for expenditures before commissioner approval: An attorney representing the county told Bartholomew County commissioners that ratifying a contract after it is already a done deal needs to be discouraged in county government. (Webber, The Republic)
500-acre project could redefine Avon: Developers broke ground on a 500-acre, mixed-use development Avon officials hope will become the new heart and central gathering place of the Hendricks County town. (Guffey, IndyStar)
Visit Fort Wayne begins implementing tourism master plan: Visit Fort Wayne has nearly two dozen goals to increase tourism in the next 10 years, but the organization is focusing on four this year: improving accessibility, the music economy, sports entities and the hospitality labor shortage. (Wilkins, The Journal Gazette)
CONGRESS
Science foundation director lauds Young for role in CHIPS Act: During a Capitol Summit reception, National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan thanked U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., for his “instrumental” role in “championing the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 and propelling America’s global leadership in STEM,” according to a news release. (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)
Today: Secret Service director to address failures in hearing — The U.S. Secret Service is adjusting how it approves security plans and bolstering security measures for protectees in the wake of the assassination attempt against Donald Trump, according to excerpts of congressional testimony Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe will deliver today. (CNN)
Congressional schedule: The Senate Homeland Security and Judiciary panels will hold a joint classified briefing on the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at 10 a.m. The House is out.
CAMPAIGNS
Beckwith, Goodin to debate Aug. 13: Indiana’s two candidates for lieutenant governor, Republican Micah Beckwith and Democrat Terry Goodin, will go head-to-head on agricultural issues during a debate at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. (Dwyer, IndyStar)
South Bend Mayor slams Banks for sharing erroneous ‘illegals’ post: Democratic South Bend Mayor James Mueller responded after U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, the GOP’s nominee for U.S. Senate, retweeted a post on X in which the original poster claimed “illegals” were lined up at the city’s Social Security Administration office. “This was a group of lawful, documented residents at the social security office,” Mueller said in a written statement. (Dits, South Bend Tribune)
NRCC includes Niemeyer in ‘Young Gun’ program: The National Republican Congressional Committee announced a slate of 26 Republican candidates as part of its “Young Gun” program, which highlighted nonincumbent candidates and challengers in competitive districts, including Randy Niemeyer, who is challenging Democratic Rep. Frank J. Mrvan in Indiana’s 1st Congressional District. (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)
PRESIDENTIAL 2024
Trump looks to regain campaign edge after rough week: In the week since President Joe Biden dropped his re-election bid and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, the expected Democratic nominee has largely erased Donald Trump’s edge in polling and fundraising. (The Wall Street Journal)
Tomorrow: Trump to attend Black journalists’ convention in Chicago — The Donald Trump campaign said the Republican presidential nominee would participate in a question and answer session “that will concentrate on the most pressing issues facing the Black community.” (AP)
NATION
Biden, Harris call for Supreme Court term limits, code of conduct, limits on presidential immunity: President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are calling on Congress to impose term limits and a code of conduct on the Supreme Court while also drafting limits on presidential immunity, a White House official said. (Fox)
National debt tops $35 trillion for first time: America’s gross national debt topped $35 trillion for the first time, a reminder of the nation’s fiscal predicament as legislative fights over taxes and spending initiatives loom in Washington. (The New York Times)
Cost of farming increased 6% last year: The Department of Agriculture estimated 2023 farm production expenditures in the U.S. at $481.9 billion, up from $452.5 billion the previous year. (Hoosier Ag Today)
White House schedule: President Joe Biden will participate in a call with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil at 2:30 p.m. He will receive the Daily Brief later in the afternoon. Vice President Kamala Harris will depart Washington, D.C. mid-afternoon for Atlanta, where she will deliver remarks at a campaign event at 7 p.m. before returning to D.C.