Politics & Government

On Thursday Governor-elect Mike Pence appointed former State Representative Jeff Espich as Senior Advisor for Legislative Affairs. 

In a statement, Pence highlighted Espich’s experience with tax and finance legislation, saying it would make him “an invaluable addition to our legislative team.” Espich has served as Chairman of both the House Ways and Means Committee and the State Budget Committee among other leadership roles during his forty years in the state legislature.

The new Office of Management and Budget director under Governor-elect Mike Pence is a Daniels administration veteran.  

Pence tabbed Chris Atkins Monday to head the Office of Management and Budget beginning in January.  Atkins was policy director to Pence during the campaign and helped develop Pence’s Roadmap for Indiana. 

Prior to joining the Pence campaign, Atkins served under Governor Mitch Daniels as general counsel and policy advisor in the OMB, helping Daniels create and implement property and corporate tax reform. 

As members were sworn in Tuesday, leaders of Indiana’s House and Senate warned of obstacles ahead for the 118th Indiana General Assembly.

Republicans hold super majorities in both houses for the next two years, rendering Democrats relatively powerless in the legislative process. 

But Senate President Pro Tem David Long preached bipartisanship to his chamber as he cautioned about the obstacles the legislature faces.

Following the retirement of its two longtime leaders, the House Ways and Means committee will look significantly different when the Indiana General Assembly begins its session in January.

Between them, Uniondale Republican Jeff Espich and Indianapolis Democrat Bill Crawford had 80 years of legislative experience.  The two men led the House Ways and Means committee when their party was in control.  But both are retiring this year. 

Apart from those who retired prior to this election cycle, Indiana House Republican leadership will remain mostly the same after the new 69-member caucus voted Wednesday. And Speaker Brian Bosma says his caucus’ style of governing won’t change either.