Governor Braun Appoints Brittney Long as Public Access Counselor as IndyGo Advances Blue Line BRT

Governor Mike Braun Appoints Brittney Long as Indiana's New Public Access Counselor

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana — Upholding statutory open-government guarantees for Hoosiers, Governor Mike Braun officially appointed former Bartholomew County magistrate judge Brittney Long as Indiana’s new Public Access Counselor in early October 2026. Succeeding Jennifer Ruby, who concluded her tenure on October 1, Long assumes responsibility for issuing advisory opinions and mediating disputes regarding the Indiana Open Door Law and the Access to Public Records Act.

With extensive judicial experience in municipal administrative law and civil litigation, Counselor Long pledged to ensure transparent, timely public oversight across state agencies, school boards, and county commissions. Civic organizations and journalists lauded the swift executive appointment, underscoring that accessible public records remain fundamental to democratic integrity throughout Indiana.

Bureau of Motor Vehicles Reinvests $13 Million Plate Surcharge into Digital Modernization

In state government operations, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) reported that an unprecedented surge in sales of Indiana's popular all-black specialty license plates generated over $13 million in dedicated technological revenue. State officials announced the funds are being directly reinvested into upgrading the BMV’s digital customer service architecture.

The capital modernization introduces streamlined online driver's license renewals, automated title-tracking interfaces, and self-service kiosks at branch offices across Marion County, cutting average in-person transaction wait times to historic lows.

IndyGo Accelerates Heavy Civil Construction on 24-Mile Blue Line Rapid Transit Line

In urban mobility infrastructure, IndyGo utility crews achieved major construction milestones along the 24-mile Blue Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor traversing Washington Street (U.S. 40). Engineering teams completed subterranean drainage pipes and reinforced center-median stations linking Downtown Indianapolis directly to the Indianapolis International Airport and Cumberland.

City-County Council leaders affirmed that pairing transparent state leadership with modern digital public services and generational transit links propels Indianapolis forward as a premier Midwestern hub.