INDIANAPOLIS — Dozens of Indiana state employees learned this week they’re losing their jobs as budget cuts take effect across multiple agencies.
The Braun Administration has eliminated at least 131 positions across various state departments, with workers in education and commerce among the most affected.
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Employees received Reduction in Force (RIF) notices on Tuesday, according to Courtney Bearsch, spokesperson for the Indiana Department of Education.
Agencies and Job Reductions
The following education-related agencies saw direct job losses:
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Commission for Higher Education – 3 positions
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Department of Education – 6 positions
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School for the Deaf – 14 positions
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State Library – 16 positions
Total impacted positions: 39
Bearsch also noted that 43 additional roles across education agencies will remain unfilled, bringing the total cost savings to about $6.9 million in salaries and benefits.
“In the final days of the legislative session, our state’s leaders had to adjust the final budget to account for an over $2 billion budget shortfall,” Bearsch wrote in an email to WRTV.
“Like most agencies across state government, agencies within the education vertical saw budget reductions.”
Governor’s Office Remains Silent
While Governor Mike Braun’s office declined to comment, Bearsch said agencies are now adjusting to stricter budget realities.
“This is not something that was taken lightly, and we are grateful for the work of each of these colleagues to serve our agencies and Hoosiers,” she added.
“Each agency’s unique budget and respective reductions determined the staffing adjustments needed. When possible, agencies prioritized not filling vacant positions, as well as leveraging other funding streams, rather than reducing current staffing levels.”
Cuts in the Office of Commerce
Under the Office of Commerce, the state has reduced a total of 49 positions. While some of these were removed through natural attrition, 12 jobs were officially cut this week:
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Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) – 8 positions
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Indiana Destination Development Corporation – 3 positions
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Governor’s Workforce Cabinet – 1 position
When WRTV Investigates asked for copies of the RIF notices, Erin Sweitzer, Deputy Chief of Staff and VP of External Communications at IEDC, said:
“The RIF notices happened verbally.”
Sweitzer added that the recent cuts are part of a broader plan to refocus agency goals while saving taxpayers money.
“Together, these changes improve organizational focus and generate over $7.4 million in annual savings to Hoosiers (roughly $1.5 million from this week’s 12 reductions),” she explained.
“More importantly, these changes support Governor Braun’s key priorities: upskilling Indiana’s workforce, supporting existing businesses, launching the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship focused on Main Street Indiana, and advancing a regional economic development model.”
Despite the job losses, state leaders emphasize these changes are necessary to align with long-term fiscal and strategic goals.
