Indiana just landed a national shoutout: The Washington Post Editorial Board has named Indiana its first-ever “State of the Year,” a new year-end designation the board says will go to the state that “did the most to improve or otherwise acted in a way worthy of emulation” in 2025. The Washington Post
The Post’s top reason is the redistricting fight that played out this year at the Statehouse. The editorial board credits 21 Indiana Republican state senators with resisting four months of intense pressure — including threats of primary challenges and federal funding cuts — and refusing demands from the Trump White House and Gov. Mike Braun to redraw Indiana’s congressional map mid-decade. The Washington Post
The board argues the decision mattered beyond Indiana, saying it helped stiffen spines elsewhere as other states flirt with politically motivated remaps. The Washington Post
But the Post didn’t base the pick solely on a “no.” It also pointed to a slate of policy actions it considers meaningful, starting with property taxes. The editorial board cites a “broad overhaul” of funding formulas and estimates that about two-thirds of homeowners will pay less property taxes next year. The Washington Post
On state budgeting, the Post says Indiana cut spending — not just the rate of growth — while increasing education funding, calling that the kind of change a “responsible state” can make. The Washington Post
Education policy gets another mention. Like one of the runners-up, New Hampshire, Indiana dropped income limits so that beginning next academic year, any student can access a state scholarship to attend private school. The legislature also removed zoning barriers that the board says made it harder to start charter schools — a move it frames as increasing competition and improving outcomes across public and private education. The Washington Post
The Post’s two runners-up were New Hampshire and California. New Hampshire earned praise for steps to ease housing pressures and for universalizing its education savings account program, though the board noted the state started from a strong baseline. The Washington Post California, meanwhile, was credited for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s push toward an “abundance agenda” and housing and infrastructure moves — but the board criticized California for joining the “race to the bottom” on mid-decade redistricting. The Washington Post
The editorial closes with a not-so-subtle challenge: with legislative sessions beginning across the country, the board says the “competition is wide open” to be State of the Year in 2026. The W
