Gov. Braun paves way for Trump agenda in Indiana, talks EPA rollbacks and more 

ELKHART, Ind.-- Indiana Governor Mike Braun was in Elkhart Thursday, meeting with mayors from all over the state for a roundtable discussion. It's the first year the City of Elkhart has hosted the annual Indiana Conference of Mayors (ICOM). 

Braun said much of the discussion centered around his major property tax reform bill, commonly referred to at Senate Bill 1. He said it was a "good, healthy conversation." 

He was then available to briefly answer some questions from the media. ABC57's Annie Kate asked about the major Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announcement, made Tuesday in Indianapolis, where Braun stood alongside federal officials.

"You were there with Lee Zeldin from the EPA, did they reach out to you, did you reach out to them? How did you get to be a part of this announcement Tuesday and why did you want to be a part of it?" she asked. 

"You're going to see more of that kind of thing," Braun replied.

Braun stood alongside EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin Tuesday at a trucking company in Indianapolis, where Zeldin announced a federal effort to repeal Obama-era environmental regulations.

"We at EPA must choose to both protect the environment and grow the economy and its not a binary choice," Zeldin said at that announcement.

"As a lifelong entrepreneur, for 37 years, in the automotive business I think I know a thing or two about it but can count on Indiana for common sense and reining in government and getting things done," Braun said at that Tuesday announcement.

Annie Kate asked the governor why they chose Indiana for the announcement.

"Here, we had the secretary of energy and the EPA administrator coming here to Indiana because we are a state that's working with the administration to keep reasonable things in place," Braun said.

The regulations they want to roll back were spurred by the "Endangerment Finding," a 2009 study which states the human-caused emissions ramping up climate change are in fact a danger to public health and safety.

The finding allowed the government to step in and legally limit emissions from cars, trucks, factories and power plants. However, many Republicans, including President Trump, see it as government overreach.

"But something like that [Endangerment Finding] that grew government and grew regulations, sometimes to where they were overburdensome, this is kind of getting it back to where it's common sense," Braun said. "They're coming to Indiana because they know we're about common sense. And you're going to see more of that."

Talking with the media Thursday at the Lerner Theater in downtown Elkhart, Braun made it clear that he is paving the way for President Trump's agenda in the Hoosier State, an agenda of rolling back regulations on the environment and more.

"We've probably been more involved with some of the things that are trying to lighten the load of government but still make sure we take care of the environment, make sure that we do the things that you need government for, but not to where it's overburdening the private sector, entrepreneurs and main street," Braun said. "And you'll probably see more of that down the road. And I was happy to oblige." 

Braun was asked about other topics Thursday, including what he would say to those worried about tariffs.

"My advice for them would be to be patient," Braun said. "Some have got caught in the crossfire, many small businesses where almost all their products were being imported. That's tough, that's hard to get around, it's hard to maneuver. But if you've seen what's happened in just the last month, the markets completely discounted tariffs, and now the fact that we're evening the playing field with our trading partners, the economy is roaring."

It's also back to school season for Indiana's students. Braun said K-12 makes up almost half of the state's budget, about $23 billion.

He said he is a big believer in school choice, so parents are "in the driver's seat" to choose the best schools for their children.

Braun's bigger concern when it comes to education is preparing students for the workforce, encouraging the trades, and making sure college degrees are workforce focused.

"Far too many kids get guided into a college trajectory. And we haven't paid attention to 'is there a job at the end of it?' Half of them don't make it to the finish line," Braun said. "My goal as governor is to make sure the high demand, high wage jobs are being filled. If those need to have a college education, make sure we're providing those degrees here in our own state. And, make sure all kids are getting skilled up."