Davis likes positive message

State Rep. Bill Davis (Dist. 33, R-Portland), as expected, found a lot to like in Tuesday night's message from his party's leader.

But through all the details in the State of the State speech from Mitch Daniels, the overall theme of "positiveness," caught Davis' ear.

"What stood out for me was his positiveness ... a lot of what he was talking about was negative stuff ... not only in the state but across the country. I thought he was able to find some really positive things about what's happening with the state of Indiana," Davis said this morning in a telephone interview from Indianapolis.

"While recognizing we're in tough times, he sees a future for this state that's going to be positive on the other side," Davis added.

State Rep. Patrick Bauer (D-South Bend), the speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives, said Daniels' speech lacked details on job creation and other economic stimulus.

Davis believes that statement is referring to a wish by Indiana Democrats to use $500 million in a Major Moves trust fund for infrastructure projects.

"We could take that $500 million and burn it all right now. But I think the wise thing to do ... was put the money away for the future so when the Major Moves money is all gone it's still there for rural areas," says Davis.

The current "short" session is scheduled to end in mid-March, but some legislators are predicting an early end to the session.[[In-content Ad]]