Are Indiana’s local officials buying luxury cars? Lawmakers want to stop it

Local government officials across Indiana wouldn’t be able to purchase luxury vehicles with taxpayer money — and some may even have to give existing vehicles back — if a bill moving through the Indiana General Assembly is signed into law.

Democratic Rep. Mitch Gore of Indianapolis, who authored last year’s legislation that took aim at Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and Secretary of State Diego Morales’ luxury SUVs, is back this year with a bill to weed out high-end vehicle purchases made by local governments.

Gore said House Bill 1066, approved unanimously by the House government reform committee on Jan. 21, was prompted by a suggestion last year from a fellow lawmaker to expand his original bill.

He said the idea that government officials are riding around in luxury when the “average Hoosier” can’t afford cars like that doesn’t sit right with him.

“Unlike last year, nobody specific this year drew my ire – but I’m positive it is happening in local government,” Gore told IndyStar.

It’s unclear how many of these cars exist across the state. A fiscal analysis prepared by the Legislative Services Agency states that the current number of vehicles “that would require disposal” as a result of the bill is unknown.

At least one such recent purchase that would be “no dice” under Gore’s bill, according to the lawmaker, is the nearly $52,000 purchase in 2024 by Lawrence Mayor Deb Whitfield’s administration of a 2024 Ford Explorer Timberline, according to a purchase order obtained by IndyStar.

The SUV, which has been criticized by some Lawrence residents amid concerns about her administration’s handling of finances, includes an upgraded sound system and a moonroof.

Gore, who was not previously aware of the purchase, said his impression of the SUV is that “it would not comply with these new standards.”

Under the bill, local government officials who have already purchased such vehicles would be required to sell them by 2028, or following the end of the useful life of the vehicle.

Whitfield’s chief of staff Greg Goodnight said it wouldn’t be a big deal if Whitfield was forced to get rid of the vehicle.

“I don’t think she has a preference on what she drives,” he said. “With everything going on in the world and the country and state of Indiana I’m sure that’s the least of her concerns.”

The legislature nearly unanimously passed Gore’s bill last year after IndyStar reported that both Morales and Beckwith had recently bought nearly $90,000 high-trim SUVs on the taxpayers’ dime.

Morales’ GMC Yukon Denali, which advertises itself as a car designed to “immerse yourself in luxury” came from Kelley Automotive Group, one of his campaign donors.

More: $90K taxpayer-funded SUVs raise eyebrows, questions. Here’s what to know

Currently, the governor’s office and the Indiana State Police are exempt from the base-model rule. Gore wanted to change that this year but a Republican amendment, approved unanimously by the committee, keeps the exemption in place.

The bill still has a long journey to becoming law. It now moves to the full House and will also have to pass through the Senate before heading to the governor’s desk.

Contact senior government accountability reporter Hayleigh Colombo at hcolombo@indystar.com or follow her on X @hayleighcolombo.

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