Daniels' goal: Recovery (8/24/05)

Millions of dollars have already been cut from Indiana’s budget under his watch.

But Gov. Mitch Daniels continues his road trips to enthuse Hoosiers about the state’s economic recovery and how they can help it along.

The Republican governor, who took office seven months ago, made a two-hour stop in Portland Tuesday afternoon to visit with local residents at the Jay Community Center. He had made other stops earlier in the day and was scheduled to head north later in the afternoon before settling in for an overnight stay. Daniels prefers Hoosier hospitality over hotel accommodations, adding that he’s never stayed in a hotel on any of his travels around the state.

“The main reason we (make the road trips) is to listen to ideas and answer questions,” he said, adding, “You can learn a lot in that last hour before lights out.”

Tuesday afternoon, he was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd, which included several students from Jay County High School, East Jay Middle School and Jay County Christian Academy.

“Whenever possible I try to ask any group hosting us to include young people,” Daniels said.

One of the things that prompted his run for governor, he said, was “I finally got tired of hearing about our best young people leaving the state.”

Most of the young Hoosiers he has spoken with have expressed the desire to live and work in Indiana. A key to returning the state to better financial footing is to help create good job opportunities that will enable them to stay.

The JCHS and EJMS students departed before the program ended with a “study hard” farewell from Daniels. Kristine Wolford, a teacher at JCCA, asked Daniels to share any advice he might have with the academy’s students.

“The first thing you can do is study hard, listen to your teacher and don’t complain,” he said. He marveled over the changes that will occur in their lifetime, adding, “to be ready for that, you have to learn all that you have to learn.”

All Hoosiers should embrace continuing education and training, Daniels said. “If we’re going to be the kind of state that’s on the front edge,” state residents need to strive for more training and technology skills. “People will have to learn, learn, learn,” he added.

Daniels said he is eager to draw companies and jobs from other states and nations by making Indiana “the most job-friendly state” possible. Growing the state’s economy, he said, is “the most important thing that we’re working on” because it will create jobs and get more Hoosiers working.

Several of those gathered Tuesday expressed their concerns about the state’s dependence on manufacturing. But Daniels replied, “Don’t give up on manufacturing.” Instead, he urged, businesses should modify their operations to better meet demand. “Innovate, customize and get it there fast” are some of the solutions to Indiana’s manufacturing woes, he said.

The state, especially this area, also should continue to capitalize on its automotive-related industries, he added. He also urged local business owners to “make money, work hard, take a risk” so that the state can prosper.

Daniels also stressed the need for pluralism in Indiana and the nation. “I want more people in this state. It’s part of economic growth,” he said.

Hispanics make up one of the fastest-growing populations within the state. His advice to those new residents: “Be a good citizen, obey every law ... work hard and earn your keep ... and learn English and make sure your children learn English.”

Others Tuesday questioned Daniels about future funding for schools and Medicaid.

“In seven months, we have found a way to save $150 million — 150 million of your tax dollars” by making budget adjustments in a manner not much different than how Hoosiers maintain personal budgets. His goal, the governor said, is to run the state “in a more business-like way.”

Daniels also praised State Rep. Bill Davis, (R-Portland), who represents District 33, and the rest of the legislature for their efforts during the recent session. “The budget of your state government is balanced for the first time in 10 years — or it’s on its way there,” Daniels said.

Jay Schools superintendent Barbara Downing asked Daniels about future funding for public education.

“I want us to be a leader” in educating students, he said. “As a state, we’re not doing that well, and we have to do better.

“I look forward to the day that we can invest more in it,” he said, but added, that money needs to end up in the classroom.

Responding to a questions from Deb Tipton, executive director of AmeriCare Heritage Commons Assisted Living, Daniels said, “We are making changes in Medicaid, and it’s not all about saving money.”

He said these changes and possibly others in the health care assistance program will “make the dollars go further and serve additional people.”[[In-content Ad]]