A look at news and events in the Daniels Administration - March 16, 2009


UPDATE	March 16, 2009
A look at news and events in the Daniels Administration Governor Daniels' Website INvest.in.gov View Past Updates Bill Watch 2010 Photo Gallery Audio Downloads Video Downloads The Governor on YouTube Ask Mitch	Daniels sends transportation secretary state plans for highway stimulus funds March 13, 2009 – On Friday, Governor Mitch Daniels sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood outlining the state’s plan for $658 million in highway infrastructure stimulus funds Indiana is expected to receive. Keeping with the intent of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the direction of President Obama, Indiana has moved quickly to finalize a plan to commit all of the stimulus highway funds. Daniels said the state’s portion will be obligated by the end of May. According to ARRA, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will receive $440 million, local agencies will receive $198 million and $20 million is dedicated for transportation enhancement projects, which includes trails, sidewalks and stoplights. INDOT has already released its first two lists of projects for bid that will utilize federal stimulus funds; a third list will be released within the next two weeks. INDOT also has issued guidance to Metropolitan Planning Organizations and local governments for submitting projects for consideration. Local projects will be obligated as fast as possible but no later than March 2, 2010, as required by ARRA. “Because of our Toll Road transaction, Indiana has already shattered records for road building the past three years. These stimulus projects will come on top of that investment and reach even further,” said Daniels. The $658 million in highway infrastructure stimulus projects is in addition to $1.2 billion in Major Moves investment that is underway in the current fiscal year. Utilizing estimates provided by the federal government, it is estimated the stimulus funds for highway infrastructure will create about 11,480 jobs. You can read the governor’s letter to the transportation secretary at this address: http://www.in.gov/gov/files/Press/LaHood_letter.pdf For updated information regarding Indiana’s use of federal stimulus funds, please visit: INvest.in.gov Governor makes stops in Lapel, Daleville and Marion March 12, 2009- Governor Daniels made stops in Madison, Delaware and Grant counties on Thursday en route to the town of Butler for an economic development announcement. The governor’s first stop was in Lapel for breakfast at Bulldog Corner. After talking with local residents, Daniels travelled east to the Daleville studios of WHBU for an interview with Leland Franklin. You can listen to the governor’s interview by clicking here. The governor’s next stop was Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion. Daniels spoke with Madison-Grant Junior High 8^th graders participating in the Reality 101 program. Reality 101 puts middle school students in the shoes of a 25-year-old adult for a day to teach money management skills and the importance of working hard in school. The governor then shared lunch with a group of Indiana Wesleyan student leaders before participating in a question and answer session for students and faculty. View photos of the governor’s recent travels in the photo gallery. Door manufacturer to expand its Northeast Indiana operations March 12, 2009- Governor Mitch Daniels joined with executives from exterior door manufacturer, Therma-Tru Doors, to announce the company's plans to expand its manufacturing operations in Butler, creating more than 150 new jobs over the next two years. The residential steel and fiberglass door systems manufacturer will invest $5 million over the next three years to consolidate its manufacturing operations to Butler. Building improvements, machinery and equipment will be added to create an additional production line. "When companies choose to increase their footprints in Indiana despite global economic challenges, that means we are doing the right things to attract business investment," said Daniels. "Therma-Tru's additional commitment is very positive news for northeast Indiana." Maumee, Ohio-based Therma-Tru Doors, which currently employs nearly 500 associates at its northeast Indiana facility, plans to begin hiring additional manufacturing associates in 2010. Therma-Tru's announced expansion follows recent news from two other companies adding jobs in northeast Indiana. Edy's Grand Ice Cream announced it has hired nearly 50 additional associates to work on its new Nestlé Drumstick® production line and BAE Systems, a developer of global defense products, said it will add 200 positions to its workforce. Both companies are located in Fort Wayne. Indiana's manufacturing industry is rated sixth in the nation and received an overall "A" grade, the highest ranking in the Midwest, according to a 2008 National Manufacturing and Logistics Report Card published by Conexus Indiana. Governor and Miss America talk fitness and health with 6th grade class March 5, 2009– Governor Mitch Daniels and Miss America 2009 Katie Stam recently discussed the importance of fitness and health with 6^th graders from KIPP Academy in Indianapolis. “I am so grateful to Katie not just for the example she sets in a lot of ways, but that she would carve some time out today for this,” said Daniels. “Somewhere out there some kids will get off the couch and be a little more active because they’d like to be more like Katie, and I just can’t think of a finer public service.” Sporting an INShape Indiana T-shirt, Stam, a Brownstown native, and the governor joined the class for an agility relay race at the National Institute of Fitness and Sport. During the race, they each were required to jump over obstacles, perform calisthenics and run through cone barriers. Prior to the race Stam and the governor each worked out on elliptical training machines. “It was a lot of fun and it was really great to be able to talk with the kids,” said Stam. “Exercise is extremely important because I’m constantly on the go. It’s really difficult to find time to exercise, but I have to make it a priority in order to keep up with my busy schedule.” Daniels also presented Stam with a Sagamore of the Wabash, one of the state’s highest honors. She is the first Hoosier to win the 88-year-old pageant. “It starts with kids, so to have Katie as such a fabulous role model both of fitness and character is going to be great for our state. She doesn’t know it, but she will make so much difference just being Katie that I know it’s going to be a good year for Indiana kids,” said Daniels. KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) Indianapolis is a college preparatory middle school that provides students with a supportive, intensive academic experience. KIPP Indianapolis’ academic program is designed to provide all students with the academic rigor necessary to enter and succeed in college preparatory high schools, and eventually in college. Photos of Governor Daniels and Miss America 2009 Katie Stam are available here: http://www.in.gov/gov/files/Press/MissAmerica1.JPG http://www.in.gov/gov/files/Press/MissAmerica2.JPG http://www.in.gov/gov/files/Press/MissAmerica3.JPG First Lady Cheri Daniels announces totals from state employee food drive March 12, 2009– Last week, First Lady Cheri Daniels announced the results of the Hoosiers Helping Hoosiers food drive for Indiana state employees. During the month of February, state agencies joined together to collect more than 81,000 non-perishable items and raise $9,400 for local food banks throughout the state. “I couldn’t be more proud of the efforts of state employees during this food drive,” said First Lady Cheri Daniels. “We had an overwhelming response to our call to help fight hunger in our state.” Donations collected from the Indianapolis area benefitted Gleaners Food Bank. “The Hoosiers Helping Hoosiers Food Drive generated nearly 40 tons of food for our bank alone,” said Pamela Altmeyer, Gleaners President and CEO. “This impressive effort truly exemplifies the generosity for which Hoosiers are known. We want to extend a special thanks to everyone who assisted in feeding our hungry neighbors.” Nine teams participated in the inaugural IndiCANa event, a can structure building competition, with the Indiana Office of Technology taking top honors. More than 165 employees statewide volunteered to coordinate efforts within their agency. Photos from the food drive may be found here: http://www.in.gov/gov/firstlady/2548.htm Overheard: Governor Daniels in the news Marion Chronicle-Tribune: Daniels visits with IWU students By: Brett Wallace March 13, 2009 Gov. Mitch Daniels answered questions about education, balancing the state budget, the federal stimulus bill and more during an hourlong discussion with Indiana Wesleyan University students Thursday at the Globe Theatre on IWU’s campus. “There’s nothing I enjoy doing more than a free exchange with the young people,” the governor said. Immediately asked by a student about the state of the economy and how to maintain the state fiscally, the governor responded with his belief in building a business-friendly environment in Indiana, including lower taxes, lower utility rates, a faster permitting process and a less stringent judicial system. “More than anything, it means making it affordable to go into business here,” he said. He mentioned a few industries the state has specifically tried to target. “No state I know needs more taxes,” he said. “We need more taxpayers.” When asked about the federal stimulus bill, he said he has mixed feelings about it but that the state intends to accept nearly every dollar being offered by the federal government. In total, Daniels said, the state will receive more than $4 billion plus will compete for more money. He also answered several questions about education, including his positions on private schools, charter schools, English as a second language education and more. He reiterated his support for the consolidation of public school districts but took care to differentiate that from the consolidation of the schools themselves. Daniels said only about 60 cents of every dollar spent on Hoosier education makes it to the classroom. “We can do better than that,” he said. Daniels supports the teaching of foreign languages in schools, though he also said he supports making English the official language of the nation. “A second language seems like an integral part of education,” he said. Daniels also commended IWU for what he called the high-quality individuals who are graduating from the university. “There is a purpose and a character about this school I don’t find everywhere I go,” he said. The governor was introduced by IWU senior Corey Sprunger, who invited Daniels to campus last year. “Gov. Daniels is not just a governor,” Sprunger said. “He’s a statesman.”