Government of Indiana

The Indiana government ^[1] was first formed in December in the year 1816. The government of Indiana is closely modeled on the federal government and it comprises of three branches executive, legislative and judicial Branch. These three branches jointly govern the state of Indiana. The Governor is the head of the executive branch and he is elected for a four-year term. The legislative branch of Indiana consists of House of Representatives and the Senate. The judicial branch comprises of the Indiana Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and local circuit courts.

Indiana Executive Branch

The Governor is the head of the executive branch of Indiana. The governor is elected for a four year term^[2]  He was elected as the Governor of Indiana in 2012 and was inaugurated on 14th January, 2013. The Governor is responsible for handling the duties of the executive branch as the state’s chief executive officer. He also reviews and recommends legislation with members of the Indiana General Assembly. The Governor also serves as the commander-in-chief of the Indiana National Guard.


Contact Details
Governor's Office
Statehouse, Indianapolis
Indiana 46204-2797
Phone no: 317-232-4567

To know more about the Governor of Indiana Click here.

 Under the Law of Indiana the Lt. Governor serves as the President of the Indiana Senate and Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development.  The Lieutenant Governor  also handles the six state agencies which includes Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the State Department of Agriculture, Office of Tourism Development, Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and the Office of Defense Development. The Lt. Governor also chairs the Indiana Counter Terrorism and Security Council.

Contact Details
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
200 West Washington Street,
Room 333, Indianapolis,
Indiana 46204-2797
Phone no: 317-232-4545

To know more about the Lieutenant Governor of Indiana Click here.

Indiana Legislative Branch

The Indiana State Legislature is the Indiana General Assembly ^[3] or legislative branch of the state of Indiana. The legislative branch of Indiana consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The General Assembly, in odd-numbered years, meets in a sixty-one day session and the Assembly in even-numbered years, meets for thirty session days.


The House of Representative is the lower house of the State of Indiana. Indiana has 100 State Representatives who are elected for two-year terms. According to 2010 Census, each member of the house represents an average of 64,838 residents. The sessions of the House of Representatives starts on the Second Tuesday in January of each year in which the General Assembly meets unless the law appoints a different day or place.

The Speaker is the highest official in the Indiana House of Representatives. The speaker is elected by the House of representative. The Speaker of the house is responsible for administering the duty to the members of the house.


The Indiana Senate is the upper house of the state of Indiana. The Senate consists of 50 State Senators who are elected for four-year terms. The average State Senator represents 129,676 people, according to the 2010 census.

The Lieutenant Governor of Indiana also acts as the President of the Senate. The Senate President takes no part in the debates of the senate and also the president can only vote to break ties. The President-Pro-Tempore is the next senior member in the senate after the President. He or she presides over the senate whenever the President of the Senate is absent.

Indiana Judiciary Branch

The Judiciary Branch of Indiana applies and employs law and regulates and ensures justice in the state. The Constitution of Indiana provides that the judicial ^[4] power of the State is conferred in the Supreme Court, a Court of Appeals. Circuit Court and other such courts established by the General Assembly.


The Supreme Court of Indiana is the court of highest appeal in the state of Indiana and has exclusive administrative and judicial and liabilities. The Supreme Court of Indiana is served by the Chief Justice and four Associate Justices. The Constitution however, now provides that the number of Associate Justices may be increased from four to as many as eight justices by action of the Legislature. The Supreme Court also has the power to review the decisions of the Court of Appeals of Indiana and the Indiana Tax Court.

Court Administrator
Kevin S. Smith
Phone no: 317 232 2540
Fax no: 317 232 8372

Contact Details
Indiana Supreme Court
315 Indiana State House
200 W. Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204

For more information of Indiana Supreme Court Click here.

The Court of Appeals, as the second-highest court in Indiana hears appeals from the state’s trial courts and some state agencies. The Court of Appeals hears cases only in three-judge panels that change three times a year. Unless granted further review by the Indiana Supreme Court, the decision of the Court of Appeals of Indiana is final. The Court has 15 judges each chosen from one of five Appeals Court districts. The members of the Court elect a Chief Judge, for a three-year term.

For more information of Indiana Court of Appeals Click here.

The Tax Court of Indiana has exclusive authority over any case that arises under the Indiana tax laws.

Court Administrator
Karyn Graves
Phone no: 317 232 4694
Fax: 317 232 0644

Contact Details
Indiana Tax Court
115 W. Washington Street
Suite 960S
Indianapolis, IN 46204

For more information of Tax Court of Indiana Click here.

Taxes in Indiana

On February 18, 1947, the Indiana Department of Revenue was created by an Act of the Indiana General Assembly.  The Revenue Department is responsible for providing service to Indiana citizens regarding state tax ^[5] matters. The department of Revenue also develops regulations, administers state tax laws and makes decisions about tax policy. Mentioned below are the taxes that are levied by the state:

• Income tax
• Sales tax
• Property Tax
• Auto Rental Excise Tax
• Aircraft Excise Tax
• Alcoholic Beverage Tax (per gallon)
• Charity Gaming Tax
• Controlled Substance Excise Tax
• Cigarette/Other Tobacco Tax
• Estate Tax
• Fireworks Tax
• Financial Institutions Tax
• Gasoline Tax
• Marion County Admissions Tax
• Hazardous Waste Disposal Tax
• Motor Carrier Surcharge Tax
• Motor Carrier Fuel Tax
• Pari-Mutual Admission Tax
• Pari-Mutual Wagering Tax
• Prepaid Wireless Fee
• Petroleum Severance Tax
• Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
• Public Utility Tax (Railroad Car Companies/Railroads)
• Riverboat Wagering Tax
• Riverboat Admissions Tax
• Special Fuel Tax
• Utility Receipts Tax
• Type II Gaming Tax

Executive Agencies of Indiana

There are many state agencies, under the leadership of the Governor of Indiana that operates and administer various departments of the state. Mentioned below are the main state agencies of Indiana:

The Indiana Department of Administration

The Indiana Department of Administration is an agency that offers services to different state agencies ensuring smooth function of state government. The department is committed to serve its agency and external customers.

Contact Details
Indiana Department of Administration
402 W. Washington St., Room W-478
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone no: (317) 232-3150
Fax: (317) 232-3153

For more information on Indiana Department of Administration Click here.

Indiana Department of Education

The Indiana Department of Education is responsible to provide the highest quality of support to Indiana’s students, schools, teachers and parents. The department is also working with policy makers, educators, and community based organizations and business leaders to achieve their mission to build an education system of high quality and equality.

Contact Details
Indiana Department of Education
South Tower, Suite 600
115 W. Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone no: 317 232-6610
Fax: 317 232-8004
Email: webmaster@doe.in.gov

For more information on Indiana Department of Education Click here.

Indiana Department of Health

Indiana Department of Health promotes health and enhances quality of life of the residents of Indiana. The health Department also provides and promotes essential public health services to the people of Indiana. The department also aims to make a healthier and safer Indiana.

Contact Details
Indiana State Department of Health
2 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone no: 317 233-1325

For more information on Indiana Department of Health Click here.

Indiana Department of Correction

The Indiana Department of Correction, as the largest agency in the State of Indiana, employees more than 6,400 Hoosiers and also supervises almost 10,000 parolees in communities across the state of Indiana and is responsible for the security and safety of more than 450 juveniles and 28,000 adults inside the correctional facilities.

Contact Details
302 W. Washington Street,
Room E-334
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone no: 317 232 5711

For more information on Indiana Department of Health Click here.

Indiana Department of Homeland Security

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security offers statewide exemplary customer service, leadership, and subject matter expertise for the enhancement of public and private partnerships. The Department also ensures state, local and federal collaboration to continually develop the state’s public safety capabilities for the protection and well being of the citizens, property and economy.

Contact Details
Indiana Department of Homeland Security
302 W. Washington St., Room E208
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Phone no: 1317 232 3980

For more information on Indiana Department of Homeland Security Click here.

Indiana Department of Revenue

The Indiana Department of Revenue was established on Feb. 18, 1947. The head of the Department is Mike Alley. The Department is responsible for offering service to citizens of Indiana regarding state tax matters.

For more information on Indiana Department of Revenue Click here

Indiana Department of Transportation

The Indiana Department of Transportation is responsible for regulating and maintaining transportation of the state of Indiana and transportation related infrastructure such as state owned airports, state owned canals or railroads and state highways.

For more information on Indiana Department of Transportation Click here.

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References:

1. Indiana Government
2. Governor of Indiana
3. Indiana General Assembly
4. Courts in Indiana
5. Taxes in Indiana