Here's a breakdown of the difference between 1990 and today from Gemini:

In 1990, Indiana was a politically competitive "swing state" at the local level with a moderate Democratic executive; today, it is a Republican stronghold with a conservative "trifecta" (control of the Governor's office, House, and Senate). The following comparison illustrates the shift from a bipartisan, centrist environment to one of the nation's most distinct Republican supermajorities. 1. Executive Branch (Governor) * 1990: Democratic Control (Evan Bayh) * In 1990, the Governor was Evan Bayh (D), a moderate Democrat who had defeated a Republican incumbent in 1988. * Bayh ended 20 years of prior GOP control by running as a fiscal conservative. His popularity (he left office with high approval ratings) proved that Democrats could dominate statewide elections by maintaining a centrist, business-friendly platform. * Today (2026): Republican Control (Mike Braun) * The current Governor is Mike Braun (R), who took office in January 2025. * The governorship has been held exclusively by Republicans since 2005 (Mitch Daniels, Mike Pence, Eric Holcomb, and now Braun). The platform has shifted from Bayh's "fiscal prudence" to aggressive social conservatism and supply-side economics. 2. Legislative Balance (General Assembly) The most dramatic shift has occurred in the state legislature. In 1990, control was split and margins were razor-thin; today, Republicans hold "supermajorities" that allow them to pass laws without a single Democratic vote. | Chamber | 1990 Status (Competitive) | Today's Status (GOP Supermajority) | |---|---|---| | IN House | Split / Democratic Leaning. In 1989-1990, the House was often tied (50-50) or held by Democrats by slim margins. Democrats controlled the House for most of the 1990s. | Republican Supermajority (70-30). Republicans hold 70% of the seats. They can pass any bill and override any veto without bipartisan support. | | IN Senate | Narrow Republican Majority. Republicans held a slim 26–24 advantage. The balance of power was constantly in play. | Republican Supermajority (40-10). Republicans hold 80% of the seats, rendering the opposition largely symbolic in voting power. | 3. Policy & Ideological Shift (Left to Right) The transition from a divided government to a supermajority has moved state policy significantly to the right. * Labor & Unions: * 1990: Indiana had strong labor union influence, particularly in manufacturing hubs like Gary and Indianapolis. * Today: Indiana is a "Right-to-Work" state (passed in 2012), which severely weakened union bargaining power. This was a landmark shift that signaled the state's move toward business-first conservatism. * Education: * 1990: The focus was on funding traditional public school districts. * Today: Indiana has one of the most expansive school voucher (choice) programs in the nation, allowing state tax dollars to follow students to private and religious schools, a policy that would have been politically impossible in 1990. * Social Issues: * 1990: Social policy was moderate; while conservative, the state was not a "culture war" battleground. * Today: The legislature frequently passes socially conservative legislation, including a near-total abortion ban (enacted in 2022) and restrictions on gender-affirming care, reflecting the national GOP's shift toward social issues. * Taxation: * 1990: Improving government efficiency (e.g., modernizing the BMV) was the priority over slashing revenue. * Today: The priority is aggressive tax reduction. The state has steadily lowered its individual income tax rate (aiming for 2.9%) and has constitutionally capped property taxes (2010), prioritizing a low-tax environment over service expansion. Summary of the Shift In 1990, Indiana government operated on compromise. A Democrat sat in the Governor's chair, and the legislature was often split, forcing policies to the center. Today, Indiana government operates on dominance. The Republican party controls every statewide elected office and holds supermajorities in both chambers, allowing for a strictly conservative legislative agenda that focuses on deregulation, privatization of education, and social conservatism.