Caucus leaders clash over State of the State
INDIANAPOLIS - After Gov. Mitch Daniels' assessment of Indiana's worthiness in a sea of economic turmoil, Republican and Democrat leaders differed in their opinions of his captainship.
"I heard absolutely nothing new in this speech at all," said Senate Minority Leader Vi Simpson, D-Bloomington. "I heard no hope for the people who are unemployed."
Following a boating trend in Daniels' address, Simpson said the focus should be on fixing the problems in our current boats rather than creating a new fleet.
Bauer and Simpson said we need to lift all of the boats and fix all of the leaks.
House Speaker Pat Bauer, D-South Bend, had a slightly different perspective.
"Actually, it's the most positive he's been about the General Assembly," he said.
Bauer and Simpson said Daniels should have focused more on job creation.
"We do have the money," Bauer said. "We can put people to work."
Bauer said the state of Indiana can put more people to work by fixing the 60 percent of broken bridges in the state. The state can come up with ideas to help put more people to work, said Bauer.
Simpson said Daniels should have talked about how 2,200 Hoosier jobs can be created for ever $1 million spent on building projects.
"There are hundreds of millions of dollars left on the table (for) building projects," she said.
Simpson said she wants to know how Daniels plans to lead Indiana in job creation.
"He didn't tell us where we're going," she said. "We need some leadership."
Republican leaders agreed job creation is a priority, but that new jobs shouldn't come from the government.
House Minority Leader Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, said we should make "the private sector thrive" in order to create more jobs.
Bosma and President Pro Tempore David Long, R-Fort Wayne, said Indiana is leading in job creation, as well as other things.
"Indiana is leading the Midwest in in so many categories that despite the difficult times, as the governor said, we really are a peony in a parking lot," said Bosma.
Long said that, though the job situation is not ideal, legislators should be happy Indiana isn't in the same boat as other states.
"It should be a source of pride for us even as we feel badly for those in Michigan and elsewhere," he said.
Long and Bosma turned attention to recent legislation that will give voters a voice on the property tax cap issue during their post-address conference.
"It's a great day for those who believe in property tax reform," said Long.
While Long and Bosma praised the legislators for recent wins, Bauer and Simpson said Indiana's state isn't as positive as Daniels implied.
"The impression was that we're not struggling," said Bauer. "We are struggling."
"We've got to strengthen our schools," said Long. "Make sure we're focusing on these children at an early age, not just third grade but kindergarten (on) forward."
Bauer said he didn't like the all of the cutting Gov. Daniels is doing.
"A lot of families are being hurt by the health care cuts," said Bauer, "and will be hurt by education cuts."
Bauer said he doesn't see how Indiana can obtain its goal of having children read by third grade when they keep taking money away from schools.
"We know it will cost more money," said Bauer, "and we know he's taking money away."
Bauer said he doesn't think Gov. Daniels grew up in an area where there are kids living in poverty. That's why the governors doesn't understand why kids growing up in tough situations struggle, said Bauer.
Franklin College Statehouse Bureau writer Kelly Lynch also contributed to this story.
