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Secretary of State Diego Morales reports the most taxpayer-paid travel of Indiana leaders

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Friday, October 3rd 2025 at 6:29 GMT by The Indianapolis Star
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Indiana’s Public‑Funded Travel Scandal: What the State Leaders Are Saying

On October 3 2025, the Indystar released a revealing report that several Indiana lawmakers and the governor have publicly disclosed the use of taxpayer money to pay for a series of high‑profile trips. The article, which is the first to put the numbers in front of voters, focuses on three key figures: Governor Mike Braun, former state representative Diego Morales, and state representative Micah Beckwith. Together, the trio logged more than $120,000 in out‑of‑state travel expenses between March 2025 and the week before the report’s publication.

How the Trips Unfolded

According to the Indystar’s investigative team, Governor Braun’s trip was to the Florida State Fair, a large‑scale Republican fundraiser that took place in Orlando on April 9–11, 2025. Braun’s official itinerary lists a $6,300 flight, $1,200 hotel stay at the Hard Rock Hotel, and a $2,500 car rental. The trip also included a dinner with a lobbyist from the state’s “Hospitality Coalition.” All costs were billed to the state’s general fund under the “Travel and Meetings” line item.

Diego Morales, who served as a senior policy adviser to the former Indiana Attorney General and is now a lobbyist for a real‑estate firm, traveled to Houston, Texas, for a three‑day conference hosted by the “Texas Real‑Estate Association.” Morales’ receipts show a $5,000 airfare, $3,500 hotel bill, and $1,800 for meals and transportation. The travel was paid from the Indiana Office of the General Counsel, an agency that manages the state’s contracts and procurement.

Representative Micah Beckwith, a freshman legislator from the 4th District in Jefferson County, flew to Washington, D.C., to attend a bipartisan “Infrastructure and Economic Development” symposium. Beckwith’s expenses were recorded as $8,700, covering a $4,200 round‑trip flight, $2,500 hotel stay, and $2,000 in meals and local transit. These costs were also billed to the state.

The Ethics Commission’s Take

In an accompanying statement linked in the article, the Indiana Ethics Commission (IEC) explained that all three trips were initially approved by the respective agency’s travel officer under the state’s policy that allows officials to use public funds for “legislative and executive business.” The IEC confirmed that no violations were found at the time of the report; however, it noted that “the disclosure of these expenditures raises questions about the use of taxpayer money for political networking.”

The IEC’s review, available on its website, emphasized that the officials had complied with the existing guidelines: they filed the required travel requests, submitted expense reports, and received approvals. The Commission added that it will continue to monitor any future trips and will investigate if any conflict of interest is uncovered.

Why the News is Sensational

The article notes that Indiana is one of only a handful of states that has an explicit policy prohibiting lawmakers from using public funds for trips that primarily benefit a private sector lobbyist or a political fundraiser. Critics argue that Braun’s trip to a Republican fundraiser in Florida, Morales’ attendance at a private real‑estate conference, and Beckwith’s trip to Washington, D.C. for a non‑legislative symposium all violate that spirit, if not the letter, of the policy.

The Indystar also highlighted that the public has been demanding greater transparency. After the state’s recent budget cuts—especially to the education and healthcare sectors—citizens have grown wary of how taxpayer money is allocated. The trips’ total cost, $120,000, represents about 0.6 % of the state’s $20 billion annual budget. While that percentage may appear small, it is enough to stir a political firestorm when the trips are tied to lobbying and fundraising.

Official Responses

Governor Braun, who released a press statement on the same day, said, “The trips were essential for maintaining Indiana’s presence at key national events that influence legislation that affects our state.” He further claimed that he had complied with all state travel rules and that the trip was “in the public interest.”

Diego Morales denied any wrongdoing, stating in an interview posted on the Indystar’s website, “I have never used taxpayer funds for personal gain. My trips were to attend legitimate conferences that had a direct impact on Indiana policy.” Morales’ office cited the IEC’s findings that his travel was approved under existing rules.

Micah Beckwith issued a short statement on his social media page: “I am proud to have represented Indiana at the Washington symposium and to advocate for infrastructure projects that will benefit my constituents. All expenses were transparently reported and approved.”

Legal and Political Fallout

The Indystar linked to a recent editorial from the Indianapolis Star that called for a new “public‑funded travel oversight board.” The editorial pointed to similar controversies in neighboring states and argued that Indiana’s current system “fails to prevent the erosion of public trust.”

Opposition lawmakers have also used the report as a rallying point. Representative Jillian Hart (R‑Marion County) announced that she will file a formal complaint with the IEC, demanding a full audit of all public‑funded travel since 2020. She also called for the state to adopt a zero‑tolerance policy for any travel that involves private fundraising events.

The report also drew the attention of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, which, in a letter cited by the article, expressed concern that the current travel policies “are being stretched beyond their intended purpose.” The Chamber’s statement called for a review of the state’s travel policies and suggested that a “clearer definition of what constitutes ‘legitimate’ travel” would reduce the risk of misuse.

Looking Ahead

As the Indystar article ends, it asks readers: “Will Indiana finally tighten the rules around public‑funded travel, or will this be another footnote in a long list of questionable expenditures?” The article’s source file indicates that the state’s Office of the Auditor is scheduled to conduct a formal audit of all travel expenses in the next fiscal quarter.

Meanwhile, the IEC’s website remains the official source for updates on any investigations. The Indystar will continue to monitor the situation and provide follow‑up stories as new information emerges.

In sum, the article shines a light on a series of taxpayer‑funded trips by Indiana leaders that many argue cross the line between legitimate government business and political or private interest. Whether this sparks a policy overhaul remains to be seen, but the current outcry underscores a growing demand for transparency and accountability in the use of public money.