Gov.-elect Braun unveils streamlined cabinet plan with eight policy focuses

This story was originally published on Indiana Capital Chronicle.Indiana’s next governor has big plans for the executive office, as shared with the Indiana Capital Chronicle on Thursday, a proposal that would trim his cabinet to include eight policy secretaries aligned with core governing areas. Governor-elect Mike Braun’s new cabinet will seek to model “efficiency, accountability and communication in state government,” according to the release.Cabinet members will include Braun, incoming Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, Braun’s chief of staff, the superintendent of state police, the adjutant general of the Indiana National Guard and secretaries over eight policy areas or “verticals.” Secretaries could also serve as agency heads, meaning not every role will need to be filled by a new hire, but each will be “empower(ed) … to drive progress within their vertical.” Here is how the Braun cabinet will be organized. (Image provided/transition team via Indiana Capital Chronicle)Related agencies will be grouped together into their policy areas, which include topics such as commerce, education, and health and family services. Earlier this month, Braun tapped his transition team and announced he would have 12 councils evaluating key areas.“This new cabinet model will allow us to be laser-focused on delivering results for Hoosiers,” Braun...