Daniels Asks for Cooperation in Moving Indiana Forward
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels is extending a hand and an olive branch to Indiana lawmakers tonight as he unveiled his third state of the state address. In the 30-minute speech the Governor intermixed a relatively new agenda with newer themes of cooperation. “Cooperation is always the best way,” Daniels said in his address.
Between November 8 and December 20, the Governor unveiled his plans for full-day kindergarten, creating the Illiana Expressway and Commerce Connectors, health insurance for Hoosiers and turning the Lottery management to a private company. Most of which was met with mixed reaction from lawmakers.
Daniels did admit in his speech he learned a few things from the last two years in office. “The cooperation that has eluded us on most occasions is now the only alternative to stalemate and paralysis. If I too often did not find the words to bring it about, I will have to do better, and find them now.” Aides to the Governor did not say he was telling lawmakers he was “sorry” but as much recognizing the new political dynamic of the legislature.
Although Indiana lawmakers are stressing property tax relief as one of their big items, the Governor’s address only dedicated six lines to the subject. Daniels’ aides say there was no need for Governor to go into extensive detail about the subject as he talked about it before and there were a number of plans on the table to give local governments more options to raise revenue and provide Hoosiers with property tax relief.
Reaction to the Governor’s speech was somewhat mixed.
State Representative David Crooks (D-Washington) said he was pleased with the Governor’s bi-partisan tone. However, Vi-Simpson (D-Bloomington) noted, “the Governor has been talking about a canoe, but instead he’s been using a one-man kayak.” Jeff Espich (R-Uniondale) said he liked the tone of the speech, while Thresea Lubbers
(R-Indianapolis), who will sponsor the Governor’s Full Day Kindergarten plan, said the Governor and proponents of FDK will have a selling job on their hands.” Libertarian Mike Kole says the Governor invokes the name of Reagan, but looks to government as the answer to problems, something Reagan would not do.
Mike Edmundson, Executive Director of the Indiana Democratic Party said, “if he’s serious, we’re there as a willing partner, but time will tell if he will be a consensus builder.” “If they don’t like the Governor’s suggestions, we welcome the suggestions from our Democratic friends,” noted Jen Hallowell, Executive Director of the Indiana Republican Party.
In his inaugural address, Daniels alluded to building a barn as an analogy to call for Hoosiers to work together; in his third address he used a canoe. “Paddled on one side only, it just turns in circles. If either side chooses to dig in its paddle stubbornly enough, it can tip the boat over. But with a common heading, and a shared effort, the canoe can be the fastest boat in the water.”
