A Couple Dozen Protest At the Governor’s Mansion Over Senate Bill 1, Blame Lt. Gov. Beckwith and WIBC Radio Hosts for Tax Hike Fiasco

Never trust Radio Host for economic policies. Rob Kendall (Con Rob)

Indianapolis, IN – On the evening of April 21, 2025, a couple dozen frustrated Hoosiers gathered outside the Governor’s Mansion, decrying Senate Bill 1, a property tax reform they once championed but now regret. The protesters, many of whom rallied at the Indiana Statehouse in March to demand property tax relief, turned their ire on Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith and WIBC radio hosts Rob Kendall, Casey Daniels, and Jason Hammer, accusing them of pushing a flawed bill that has doubled local income taxes while failing to deliver promised relief. The backlash highlights the dangers of following simplistic economic rhetoric from influential figures like Beckwith and WIBC’s conservative talk show hosts.

The protest was a stark reversal for the crowd, many of whom had cheered at the March 17 Statehouse rally, where Beckwith and WIBC personalities whipped up fervor for aggressive property tax cuts. Backed by Governor Mike Braun, Senate Bill 1 was signed into law on April 15, promising a 10% property tax credit (up to $300) for homeowners starting in 2026, with additional credits for seniors and veterans. However, the bill’s $1.5 billion cut to local government revenue over three years, including $744 million from schools, has triggered a fiscal crisis, forcing counties to double local income taxes to offset losses—a move protesters now call a betrayal.

A few Protesters held signs reading “Beckwith’s Bill, Our Burden” and “WIBC Lied, Taxes Doubled,” venting their anger at the lieutenant governor and radio hosts who championed SB1. “Micah Beckwith told us this would save us money, and those WIBC guys made it sound like a no-brainer,” said one protester, who gave his name as Greg. “Now my income taxes are through the roof, and my kids’ school is cutting teachers. This is on them.” Another demonstrator, waving a sign that read “Radio Rhetoric, Real Pain,” added, “I trusted Kendall and Hammer’s rants about ‘government theft.’ They didn’t mention we’d be paying double in income taxes!”. But some people were actually defending Micah Beckwith and his lackeys who screwed over Hoosiers.

Beckwith, a vocal advocate for SB1 during its legislative journey, had framed property tax cuts as “Priority One” for Hoosiers, particularly farmers facing 26.4% year-to-year tax hikes, according to an Indiana Farm Bureau study. On WIBC’s airwaves and at the Statehouse rally, he and hosts like Kendall pushed a narrative of government waste, urging listeners to demand deep cuts. Kendall, in particular, gained traction by calling property taxes “theft” and praising Braun’s plan, which initially proposed $1.6 billion in cuts. Yet, the final bill, while less severe, still slashed local budgets, prompting municipalities to raise income taxes—a consequence Beckwith and WIBC hosts downplayed or ignored.

The bill’s passage was contentious, with a 27-22 Senate vote on April 15, as 12 Republicans joined Democrats in opposition, citing concerns over local revenue losses. Senate Minority Leader Shelli Yoder criticized the process, noting that none of the 60 Democratic amendments were accepted. Local leaders, like Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam, warned of service cuts, with Marion and Hamilton counties facing $146 million and $140 million in revenue losses in 2026, respectively. To compensate, counties have hiked local income taxes, with some doubling rates from 1.5% to 3%, directly hitting taxpayers’ wallets.

Ironically, Beckwith himself later criticized SB1, posting on X on April 12 that “NOBODY understands this thing… including me!” and urging Braun to veto it—a move protesters dismissed as too little, too late. “He’s trying to save face now, but Beckwith was all in on this bill,” said protester Sarah, a former rally attendee. “He and those radio hosts sold us a fantasy, and we’re paying the price.” WIBC’s Kendall, however, praised Beckwith’s late pivot, posting on X that he “did the right thing” by calling for a veto after hearing constituents’ concerns, though he offered no apology for his role in promoting the bill.

Critics argue that Beckwith and WIBC hosts misled Hoosiers by oversimplifying a complex issue. “Beckwith and those radio personalities peddled a narrative that slashing property taxes would magically fix everything,” said Indianapolis policy analyst Mark Thompson. “They didn’t explain that local governments would have to raise income taxes to survive. This is what happens when you let talk show hosts and a lieutenant governor with no fiscal expertise drive policy.” Assistant Democratic Caucus Chair Ed Delaney echoed this, slamming “Braun math” that promised savings while enabling massive income tax hikes.

The fallout has left protesters feeling duped. “I listened to WIBC every day, and they made it sound like SB1 was our salvation,” said Tom, a small business owner. “Now my income taxes have doubled, and my property tax break won’t even cover it. Beckwith and those hosts owe us an apology.” As schools face layoffs and services dwindle, the crowd outside the Governor’s Mansion vowed to hold Beckwith and WIBC accountable, with some calling for a boycott of the station.

The protest underscores a harsh lesson for Hoosiers: economic policy shaped by radio rhetoric and political posturing can backfire. As Indiana braces for the full impact of Senate Bill 1 in 2026, the doubled income taxes and strained local budgets serve as a bitter reminder of the consequences of trusting Beckwith and WIBC’s misguided crusade. For now, the protesters’ chants of “No More Lies” echo down Meridian Street, a warning to others swayed by simplistic promises.