Local: Details lacking from Kernan (1/14/04)

It might be difficult to find anyone — even the most partisan political opponent — who thought Indiana Gov. Joe Kernan didn’t give a good performance in his State of the State speech Tuesday.

But in a non-scientific survey of reaction by several local elected and non-elected officials, there was split opinion on whether Kernan’s first such speech was a victory of style over substance.

Kernan, formerly the state’s lieutenant governor, was named governor in the fall following the death of Gov. Frank O’Bannon.

Jay County Commissioners Milo Miller Jr., a Republican, and Democrat Gary Theurer, both said they liked what they heard from Kernan.

Both State Sen. Allen Paul (District 27, R-Richmond) and Jay County Development Corporation executive director Robert Quadrozzi gave Kernan high marks for delivery. But both also said they would have liked to hear more details about Kernan’s plans.

Jay School Corp. Supt. Barbara Downing said that she is pleased with Kernan’s support for full-day kindergarten and other educational effort, but believes finding funding might be a problem.

“If he does what he says he will, he’ll be a hell of a governor,” Miller said following Tuesday night’s speech.

Miller said he was pleased with a promise of belt-tightening by Kernan. Miller said he was especially impressed with Kernan’s get-tough attitude. “If you can’t live within the budget, you’re not welcome on his team.

“I think he’s looking to cut the fat out of the state’s work force,” Miller said, adding, “I figure there’s fat everywhere” in all state departments.

Miller’s fellow commissioner Gary Theurer, a Democrat, said he was encouraged by Kernan’s optimistic outlook.

Despite more recent bad fiscal news for the state, “Everything he said (Tuesday night) was really positive,” Theurer said. “We need to have faith and trust in our elected official” that the money needed to fund his planned initiatives is going to be there.

“You have to be optimistic,” Theurer said, “and we all need to keep working toward that.”

Paul, who considers Kernan a close friend, said this morning that Kernan gave “a well-delivered, well thought-out speech, but really short on substance. It’s not a Democrat-Republican thing. He was able to incite in us an enthusiasm ... and that’s fine. The problem is, we don’t have any money.

“I feel he outlined what he wants to do in his administration, and not what he wants to do now,” said Paul, who sat next to former Indiana Gov. Robert Orr during Tuesday night’s speech at the Indiana Statehouse.

Paul doesn’t believe that full-day kindergarten — one of the priorities addressed Tuesday by Kernan — will be approved during this short session, which is projected to end in mid-February. Paul, whose district includes Jay, Randolph and Wayne counties, has represented all or part of Jay County in the state senate since 1986.

Quadrozzi, who as JCDC director helped bring then Lt. Gov. Kernan to speak at an industrial appreciation dinner several years ago, praised Kernan’s delivery.

“I think he had all-around basically a good presentation, but he didn’t really get into specifics as to how he would get things done,” said Quadrozzi.

Quadrozzi said he is “leery” about using gambling and lottery profits to fund full-day kindergarten, and would have liked to have heard more specifics about economic development efforts and attempts to rein in health care costs.

As an economic development professional, Quadrozzi said that one of the state’s biggest problems in economic development is rapid turnover at the Indiana Department of Commerce — a department Kernan led during his six-plus years as lieutenant governor.

Quadrozzi said he believes Indiana is lucky to have two quality candidates in Kernan and likely Republican nominee Mitch Daniels running for governor.

“He is a good leader. He’s got the ability to bring both parties together on some things. He’s a responsive leader ... and I respect that,” Quadrozzi said of Kernan.

Downing, in a prepared statement, said “the governor’s concerns and action measures for education, jobs and the safety and well-being of Hoosier children are commendable.

“I fear the state budget, evening considering all the funding approaches designed by the governor, will not fully fund the pre-school program for all youngsters and the all-day kindergarten for every child,” Downing added.

Miller, despite his overall positive reviews, did hear some gaps.

Miller said he wished Kernan had addressed unfunded state mandates and the phasing out of inventory taxes under state law.

Despite laying out an ambitious agenda for the state, Kernan repeatedly said he would not seek to raise taxes. Miller said he also would like to see the state’s new property tax levels — which he views as more fair for all Hoosiers — remain relatively untouched for a few years. Miller added he would like to see some property tax relief for those who really need it, such as farmers and the elderly. But he does not want the state to buckle under pressure from other Hoosiers who must now pay more in property taxes.[[In-content Ad]]