Articles
Governor Daniels' Weekly Update: 5/28/08
A look at news and events in the Daniels Administration
Volume 2, Issue 83
May 19-25, 2008
Governor visits Hoosier troops in Iraq
May 20, 2008- Governor Mitch Daniels brought a message of support from Hoosiers to Indiana National Guard members and active duty soldiers during two days of travel in Iraq.
The governor arrived in Iraq on Monday and traveled to several camps in the country visiting hundreds of Guard members and those on active duty to thank them for their service, check in on their well being and to learn about their missions.
"I'm coming back, as I have before, just enormously impressed with the character and sheer competence and professionalism of the entire American military, and of course, I'm especially proud of the members of the Indiana National Guard," Daniels said today during a conference call. "They're really good at what they're doing, they're really proud of what they're doing, and every Hoosier should be, too."
Indiana currently has the largest deployment of National Guard members in the Middle East. There are 4,133 Indiana National Guard members serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Many of those are members of the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, which deployed in March.
The governor said the spirits of members of the 76th Brigade are high and that he encountered good humor. "But they're very serious about their business, and the impression you get over and over again is that these are people who have worked very hard, drilled and trained hard and developed skills with complex equipment. They are very glad to have a chance to show what they can do, and glad to put all their training to work," he said.
Daniels departed Washington, D.C., on Sunday. He was greeted in Iraq on Monday by Colonel Corey Carr, of Columbus, commander of the 76th Brigade. The governor described Carr as "every inch the soldier."
He also talked to Guard members who knew Army Spec. Joseph A. Ford, of New Albany, who was killed May 10 in Al Asad, Iraq, of injuries suffered in a vehicle accident. Ford was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 152nd Cavalry Regiment, 76th Brigade Combat Team. A memorial service for Spec. Ford was held today, and Daniels said he decided the best way he could honor the fallen Guardsman was to continue with this trip.
"Folks are very sad about it," the governor said. "It was an accident pure and simple, but it doesn't matter. It is equally sad and tragic."
The governor spent time today with soldiers at LSA Anaconda, Balad, Iraq, including visiting with members of the I-293rd Infantry Battalion and 113th Support Battalion. He also traveled to Camp Victory and Camp Speicher, near Tikrit, during his stay. Daniels departed Iraq after having dinner with Indiana soldiers and is spending the night in Kuwait before heading home. He is scheduled to be back in Indiana on Thursday.
The Department of Defense organized the trip. Daniels and Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons are traveling together and are the first governors to go to the region this year. Daniels also visited Indiana soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan for three days over Easter weekend in 2006.
Daniels said he collected cards and notes from Guard members and will be bringing messages home. "I solicit those. I'm coming back with a bag full of phone numbers of moms, dads, spouses, significant others. I'll be making surprise phone calls to some people," he said.
Daniels announces $19 million for new trails investment
May 20, 2008- Governor Mitch Daniels last week announced $19 million in new investment for trails development as a part of his Hoosiers on the Move statewide trails plan.
"By making Indiana a 'State of Trails' we not only create new recreational opportunities, but also show the people who can bring businesses here the quality of life that Hoosiers enjoy," said Daniels.
The one-time distribution will be directed to 28 projects throughout the state by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and will result in 104 miles of new trails being built and the acquisition of land for an expected 26 miles of future trail development. Currently the state system includes about 400 miles of multi-use trails.
Projects were chosen based upon geographic diversity, readiness to build, connectivity to the trails system, and local support. These funds are in addition to the $20 million the state invests annually as part of Daniels' Hoosiers on the Move trails initiative to connect communities throughout the state. The 10-year plan calls for every Hoosier to be within 15 minutes of trail.
"The governor's announcement truly marks an historic day for the future of trails and greenways in Indiana. We could not be more enthused or appreciative of his efforts," said Matthew T. Klein, board president of the Greenways Foundation. "It really shows that Gov. Daniels embraces the many economic and health benefits of linear parks."
DNR will manage both the new funding being allocated to local trails projects and the 150 miles of abandoned railroad corridor the state recently acquired for distribution to government entities and local trail groups for potential trail development. A complete list including brief descriptions and a map of projects that will receive additional funding are available here.
Governor honors Hoosier soldiers at Memorial Service
May 23, 2008- Governor Daniels joined Hoosiers on Monument Circle at the 500 Festival Memorial Service on Friday to honor Indiana men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States.
"No state so honors its veterans as Indiana. We are a state of patriots," said Daniels.
The day before the memorial service, Daniels returned from a visit to Iraq where he met with Indiana soldiers. "It was the most uplifting experience a person could have," he said. "I'm here to report to you that you should be incredibly proud of them, of the job they're doing, and the way in which they are carrying on the tradition of those we honor on Memorial Day," said Daniels.
The full text of Governor Daniels' remarks are available here. Audio can be found here.
Governor's schedule for May 29
Thursday, May 29
-Governor Daniels, Benton County residents, elected officials and representatives from BP Alternative Energy North America and Dominion Resources will commemorate the construction of the 50,000 acre Fowler Ridge Wind Farm in Benton County at a 'blade signing' ceremony. Everyone in attendance will have the opportunity to sign a large turbine blade that will be used on the wind farm. The two-phase project will eventually produce enough carbon-free electricity to power more than 200,000 average American homes.
10:10 a.m. media members may take a bus tour of the wind farm
11 a.m. blade signing ceremony
1843 South County Road 300 East
Note: one-quarter mile north of U.S. 52 on County Road 300 East
Fowler
-The governor will join officials from KIK Custom Products for an economic development announcement.
3 p.m.
KIK Custom Products
2700 Middlebury Street
Elkhart
IN THE NEWS:
'Governor Daniels goes to Iraq, encourages troops'
WISH TV 8 - Indianapolis
May 20, 2008
By Jim Shella
KUWAIT (WISH) - Governor Mitch Daniels traveled Baghdad as part of a two-day visit with Indiana National Guard troops in Iraq.
Daniels arrived in Iraq on Monday morning and spent most of Monday and Tuesday meeting with some of the more than 4,100 Indiana troops now on duty in the Middle East.
"I believe I'm the first governor to get here this year and for quite awhile. The timing, of course, was up to my military hosts. They said I could come this week and I grabbed it as long as I could get back for the Memorial Day activities at home," Daniels said.
Indiana has more troops on active duty fighting in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan than any other state. Most of them are in the 76th Combat Brigade deployed in March.
Daniels said he found them in good humor facing less violence than in the past. He wants them to know that there is support back home.
"I said people, whatever their views...about politics or world affairs, they're very supportive of these men and women...we've got father-and-son teams here, lots of brothers," Daniels explained.
The governor's visit is his second trip to visit Indiana troops in Iraq. He traveled with Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons.
Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette
May 21, 2008
The city's plans to connect its trails system with the Aboite New Trails network received a big boost Tuesday, when Gov. Mitch Daniels announced a $900,000 grant for the city's Towpath Trail.
The trail roughly follows the route of the Wabash and Erie Canal. The state grant will pay the bulk of the costs for one of the most expensive and difficult sections, between Covington and Smith roads on the south side of the Fort Wayne Country Club. The rest will come from city money matching donations received as part of "Oprah's Big Give." Because the city had already planned well for the section, officials hope to receive bids next month and start construction in July.
If the remainder of the project is completed on schedule, the 5 1/2 -mile section that connects Aboite New Trails with Rockhill Park should be completed next year. From Rockhill, bicyclists, walkers and runners can take a 1.1-mile trail completed in 2004 to Swinney Park, where it connects with the greenway system.
The grant was among $19 million in trail grants Daniels announced.
An additional $900,000 grant will go far to build the final link that will connect the Muncie and Richmond portions of the Cardinal Greenway trails.
And $900,000 more will go toward developing what eventually will be a 38-mile rail-to-trail along the former Nickel Plate Railroad in Howard, Miami and Fulton counties. The grant will finance 12 miles of the trail including sections in Rochester and Peru.
Huntington County will benefit from $250,000 for the Forks of the Wabash Trail along the Wabash and Little Wabash rivers.
The $19 million comes from the Indiana Department of Transportation budget and is a good long-term investment by Daniels, who recognizes the economic development benefits as well as the recreational and health benefits of trails.
'Remembering the fallen'
Hoosiers pay tribute to those who died in fight for freedom
The Indianapolis Star
May 24, 2008
By: Erin Dostal
With a roar of jets overhead, hundreds gathered Friday on Monument Circle to honor those Hoosiers who gave their lives in the armed forces.
Although the U.S. has many holidays to honor veterans, Mayor Greg Ballard told the crowd, "Memorial Day is different. This is the day . . . to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice."
A former Marine, Ballard noted that on Memorial Day weekend, we honor those who died fighting to end slavery, free Europe and the Pacific and hold off communism's spread.
F-16 jets from the Indiana Air National Guard's 122nd Fighter Wing rumbled overhead in a missing man formation, one spot in their vee left open as a reminder of the fallen.
In a similar gesture, an empty chair sat to the right of the lectern to honor prisoners of war and those missing in action.
"No state honors its veterans like Indiana," Gov. Mitch Daniels said. "We are a state of patriots."
Recently back from visiting Hoosiers deployed to Iraq, Daniels said that everywhere he went, he met "brothers serving next to brothers."
Taking a moment to address the fallen soldiers directly, he said: "You were the finest among us. You were the bravest. You gave us a gift we can never repay."
The Fort Wayne Journal -Gazette
May 24, 2008
The 10,000th Hoosier was approved for coverage under the new Healthy Indiana Plan this week. That's 10,000 Hoosiers who most likely wouldn't have had health insurance otherwise, and that's a positive move for the state. The months ahead offer policymakers the opportunity to make a promising program even better.
Mitch Roob, secretary of Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration, which is administering the new insurance program for low-income adults, said he's often asked why the state doesn't just wait for Washington to fix the health coverage crisis.
"I don't think the federal government is going to take care of this," is his reply.
The scope of the problem is such that a rescue is likely years away, so Indiana lawmakers' approval of a 44-cent-per-pack increase in the cigarette tax to support the program was wise. The increase alone should ultimately make for healthier Hoosiers, given the sound evidence that higher costs discourage young people from smoking.
But the availability of health care for thousands of residents is an immediate and valuable benefit for the state. It means thousands won't need more costly emergency health care at taxpayer expense. It means thousands will receive preventive care that will allow them to avoid illness and continue working, earning and paying taxes.
Hoosier Healthwise, Indiana's state children's health insurance program, covers children and pregnant women. HIP is designed to serve low-income adults 19 to 64 years old who don't have access to employer-sponsored health care and who don't qualify for Medicaid. Enrollees are expected to pay 2 percent to 5 percent of their household income as their share of the contribution. They receive free preventive care, a health savings account worth $1,100 a year and insurance coverage of up $300,000 a year.
The legislation provided for 130,000 participants. More than 45,000 applications have been submitted so far, with a denial rate of almost 40 percent. The sticking point for many seems to be the availability of employer-sponsored health insurance. In some cases, workers have access to insurance but the premiums are so high as to make it unaffordable.
What policymakers need to decide, Roob conceded, is at what percentage of a family's household income does that insurance become unaffordable? That's likely a topic for a legislative interim study committee this summer, and the results could make for a better HIP program.
There are other questions to be answered, but the fact that Indiana has a program to build on puts it ahead of many states. In the end, it might be Washington looking to Hoosiers for ideas on fixing the health care crisis.
