The Indianapolis City-County Council passed Mayor Joe Hogsett’s $1.7 billion 2026 budget on a straight party-line vote — Democrats called it balanced and responsible, Republicans called it censorship and “smoke and mirrors.” Minority Leader Brian Mowery blasted the process, saying GOP voices were “silenced,” while Democrats touted nine straight balanced budgets with no tax hikes — just a few “updated fees.” We break down the fight over funding, the looming property-tax squeeze, and why one councilor thinks the city should float bonds and buy AES Indiana.