This is mostly due to budget cuts. 50+ state employees have already been let go. Many more positions are expected to remain unfilled. The layoffs come after Gov Mike Braun signed a trimmed-down state budget in May. Most of the cuts hit education... And commerce agencies. The Indiana Department of Education (IDO) reported almost 40 layoffs across four dpts.... These include 16 jobs at the State Library, 14 at the Indiana School for the Deaf, 6 at the DoE and 3 at the Commission for Higher Education.
The Indiana Historical Bureau was hit especially hard. Five of its six employees were let go, leaving just one person to manage public history programs across the state.
In the commerce sector, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation eliminated eight positions. The Indiana Destination Development Corporation laid off three more. Another job was cut from the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet. Together, these reductions are expected to save $7.4 million annually.
Ivy Tech Community College also announced it will lay off 202 staff members. This is due to funding cuts and tuition freezes.
State workforce data shows a steady decline. Since December, Indiana has lost nearly 700 state jobs. Additional agency cuts could push that number higher.
Governor Braun says the cuts are fiscally responsible. Critics warn they will disrupt services and reduce access to public programs.
More layoffs and unfilled roles are likely in the months ahead.