Mitch Daniels

[IrishSon of Liberty]

Mitch is a business man through and through. So much so, that Government Motors is closing plants in Pontiac, Flint, Ypsilianti, and Livonia. Indiana is retaining it's facilities in Ft. Wayne, Muncie, Kokomo, etc. The only loss that I've heard of thus far is the stamping plant in Indy. If GM will close four plants in their own backyard, yet keep the vast majority of them open in a neighboring state, what does that say about the neighboring state? Kudos to My Man Mitch and while we're plugging great representation, I second the nod to Mike Pence. We need him to run against Souder and move into the Senate.

 

[kludge]

Can anybody find a time when the toll road was ever in the black?

He did us a favor by leasing it. Got rid of all the red ink Bayh left us with... FINALLY.

And fixed the BMV. And carry in State Parks, and lifetime LTHC.

 

[HICKMAN]

Can anybody find a time when the toll road was ever in the black?

He did us a favor by leasing it. Got rid of all the red ink Bayh left us with... FINALLY.

And fixed the BMV. And carry in State Parks, and lifetime LTHC.

fuggin ay he did!

 

[HICKMAN]

Mitch is a business man through and through. So much so, that Government Motors is closing plants in Pontiac, Flint, Ypsilianti, and Livonia. Indiana is retaining it's facilities in Ft. Wayne, Muncie, Kokomo, etc. The only loss that I've heard of thus far is the stamping plant in Indy. If GM will close four plants in their own backyard, yet keep the vast majority of them open in a neighboring state, what does that say about the neighboring state? Kudos to My Man Mitch and while we're plugging great representation, I second the nod to Mike Pence. We need him to run against Souder and move into the Senate.

Mike Pence is the man!

 

[hunt3rsd3n]

Mitch is my man! I voted for him both times. He is bringing fiscal responsibility to a state that lost its' surplus under O'Bannon (RIP). This is not a political statement, but a show of support for someone in Government that is doing something right for a change. Since he is deeply rooted in business, he understands that you cannot spend more than you bring in. Unlike the big dogs in government who write bad checks that we need to cash. The far majority of people that travel the tolls are interstate travelers and truckers. Consider it a blessing that we do not manage that fiasco any longer, since it never was self sufficient. The last time I drove it is only raise 25cents, but that was some time ago. Big props for Mitch, who has never lost touch with his constituency. He should give Washington a lesson on leadership from a small hick state.

 

[Muddy_Ford]

Way to go Mitch!

I agree it is nice to see someone who practices budgeting instead of talking about it. Mitch has done a lot to improve a variety of issues in our state. And while some may think it is "corny" how he drives around in his RV. I like it at least he makes an effort. Plus he can talk intelligently without a telepromter.

I too agree Mike Pence is in my book.

 

[Indy317]

He leased the Indiana 80/90 toll road to some foreign company for 75 years, causing tolls to skyrocket even though a high percentage of 80-90 percent of the population that lives near and uses it said they did not approve of it. In the next election, I WILL NOT be voting for him- just shows he doesn't listen to the people who elected him. And where did that 3-4 billion go for leasing it, adding more lanes to I-465 in Indy. Screw Mitch!!

So it is OK to use downtown Indy sales tax money to help support a toll road that was losing money, but heaven forbid the money goes the other way, that just ain't right? If you want to get all in a huff about a road, where tolls should have been higher anyways, go ahead. Just remember that under Mitch, we got lifetime carry permits and the right to carry our handguns in the state parks. Trust me, I am not big fan of these long term lease deals. My only deal is with the length of the term, not the deal. Pat Bauer hated the deal and he would have _never_ allowed a toll increase either. Well, I am sick of Indy bringing in all these sales taxes only to have them be shifted to keep up a road that was barely breaking even.

My question: Is the roll road better than before? I have heard that we are just _now_ getting electronic pass readers? Don't tell me we didn't have this before. They had that down in Florida back in the late 90s. What about the wire barrier medians? The state has _zero_ reason to install these things, as safety of the public doesn't seem to rate too high. However, if a private company needs traffic to keep moving, it is in their interest to install a median barrier system the entire length of the road.

 

[Lt. Commander]

Can anybody find a time when the toll road was ever in the black?

He did us a favor by leasing it. Got rid of all the red ink Bayh left us with... FINALLY.

And fixed the BMV. And carry in State Parks, and lifetime LTHC.

Another 1+...


Scott

 

[spartan933]

I like Mitch Daniels. I don't agree with all of his policies but I think he is generally a good leader and governor. I am a Democrat too. So is everyone in my family. NOT LIBERALS! Anyways, I voted for him and so did they. I live in Lake County, and he is the first governor of this state that really took an interest in this part of the state, (since I could vote) and realized that NWI is as important to Indiana as any other area of the state.

 

[ElkhartGunner]

465 needed and still needs a lot of work. He is fixing the problems without raising taxes

Fine... I hope someday they put tolls on I-465 and when you start whining and crying about it, I will be all for it. Hell, lets just toll all our interstates in Indiana to make it fair like in NY state. I80/90 is the only good and fast way across the northern section of Indiana and to lease it to FOREIGNERS for 75 years when opposition to it was VERY HIGH was wrong.

 

[melensdad]

Fine... I hope someday they put tolls on I-465 and when you start whining and crying about it, I will be all for it. Hell, lets just toll all our interstates in Indiana to make it fair like in NY state. I80/90 is the only good and fast way across the northern section of Indiana and to lease it to FOREIGNERS for 75 years when opposition to it was VERY HIGH was wrong.

Sorry I don't understand.

We also have 94 that runs a good way across northern Indiana, and that is free. Plus, while not limited access, we have US30, which is an excellent 4 lane divided highway most of its path and it runs the width of the state. I use it regularly for cross state trips and can't complain about it at all.

80/90 has always been a TOLL road. It is still a TOLL road. I don't see any difference. It was a good road, it is a good road. Our state privatized something (which is good) and got a big one time cash infusion while at the same time eliminated long term payouts. I don't see the fact that "foreigners" taking over the lease as a big deal. Worst case scenario is that we go to war with them and take the road back . . . we already got the big payment so what is the big deal?

Far as I am concerned the state, counties and local communities can trim back a lot of government employees and replace them with private employees. Our local and state payrolls are bloated with huge labor costs, and massive labor benefits. Under no open market or private sector area of our economy do employees get away with the crap, or get the excessive vacations and benefits packages as our municipal employees get. Want lower taxes, want more responsive government, then we need to trim it down and get rid of all the bloated jobs that exist only to justify themselves.

 

[ElkhartGunner]

US 30 does not take me from Elkhart to Chicago. I-94 is always jammed because it is a free road and it always under construction because they never fix it right the first time. I see what your saying, just dont agree with it. If a governor does not listen to the people who elected him, it changes the peoples mind about voting for him ever again. Like I said before, its not only about leasing our toll road, but not listening to the majority of the people who told him NOT TO DO IT. If you want to get rid of govt waste, theres many other ways to do it then sell off our state one piece at a time. (wonder when hes finally gonna sell off our lottery like he said he wants to)

 

[tatters]

I like Mitch. He's been a pretty stand-up guy I think. Lifetime LTCH, parks carry, keeping jobs in Indiana as best he can.

I wasn't for the toll road deal at first. I could care less now. He got what he could get at the time, now it does ok.

 

[Indy317]

... and to lease it to FOREIGNERS for 75 years when opposition to it was VERY HIGH was wrong.

We got billions of dollars. With the way the economy is going, travel could take a huge hit, and Indiana wouldn't see the results of that since we no longer care about the toll road for the next 73-74 years. If anything, the company could lose a ton of money on the deal, end up in bankruptcy, and Indiana could walk in with one billion of the three we got and buy it back.

Also, opposition to it was only "VERY HIGH" in the northern part of the state and by the socialists and commies all around the rest of the state. The people up north hated the idea because they knew prices would go up, which they should have been up already. The socialist and commies around the state hated the idea because they think government should own and run everything...everyone a government employee. Needless to say, outside of just those people, the majority of the state could careless about the toll road and the lease. We are reminded time and time again that Central Indiana problems are problems for those of us who live here, that no one from South Bend, Ft. Wayne, etc. should have to bail us out, that our issues of no concern of ours. Well, that is why most folks in the state didn't care about what you folks wanted. We saw a toll road that wasn't being ran properly and the lease sounded like a good idea to us. Pay Bauer has had _years_ as a leading politician to do something to make the road work, but he was more worried about losing votes so he never wanted to jack up the tolls. I remember him all of a sudden coming to the realization that we should raise tolls instead of selling it. Yea, what mad Pat more upset than having to raise tolls was the fact that government was shirking in one regard...he wants a big, huge, fat government, not a small one.

 

[Indy317]

I see what your saying, just dont agree with it. If a governor does not listen to the people who elected him, it changes the peoples mind about voting for him ever again. Like I said before, its not only about leasing our toll road, but not listening to the majority of the people who told him NOT TO DO IT.

Obviously it wasn't a majority, otherwise he wouldn't have been re-elected.

 

[Crystalship1]

US 30 does not take me from Elkhart to Chicago. I-94 is always jammed because it is a free road and it always under construction because they never fix it right the first time. I see what your saying, just dont agree with it. If a governor does not listen to the people who elected him, it changes the peoples mind about voting for him ever again. Like I said before, its not only about leasing our toll road, but not listening to the majority of the people who told him NOT TO DO IT. If you want to get rid of govt waste, theres many other ways to do it then sell off our state one piece at a time. (wonder when hes finally gonna sell off our lottery like he said he wants to)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znowCx_y7nU]YouTube - Family Guy - Stubborn as a Donkey[/ame]

 

[melensdad]

US 30 does not take me from Elkhart to Chicago.

So you want direct access from your city to every other area? There is no road (of any kind) to get from my county direct to Muncie. No direct road (of any kind) to Anderson. No direct road (of any kind) to Kokomo. No direct road to a lot of places. Get over it and stop whining. You live in a medium-small city in the heartland, to expect interstate roads to go from where you live to anywhere may be a bit much to ask.

And just to be honest about things, the high opposition to selling the toll road lease (he didn't sell the road itself, just the lease) was only high in a few counties in the state. Further, you now claim he is selling off the state piece by piece but that is very close to a lie and clearly is inaccurate. If he does sell the lottery rights, it would not be the worst thing. We spend millions to make millions. Why not simply sell it and get a one lump payment and eliminate all the spending at the same time? And if you don't like the lottery then don't play. I never have supported it and see no reason why the state should be running a gambling operation.

I would support privatizing the lottery too. And the museums. And publicly funding TV stations (PBS). And publicly funded radio stations (NPR). And Amtrack . . . if you could find a buyer for that money loser! The government has no business being in business.

 

[bigcraig]

So you want direct access from your city to every other area? There is no road (of any kind) to get from my county direct to Muncie. No direct road (of any kind) to Anderson. No direct road (of any kind) to Kokomo. No direct road to a lot of places. Get over it and stop whining. You live in a medium-small city in the heartland, to expect interstate roads to go from where you live to anywhere may be a bit much to ask.

And just to be honest about things, the high opposition to selling the toll road lease (he didn't sell the road itself, just the lease) was only high in a few counties in the state. Further, you now claim he is selling off the state piece by piece but that is very close to a lie and clearly is inaccurate. If he does sell the lottery rights, it would not be the worst thing. We spend millions to make millions. Why not simply sell it and get a one lump payment and eliminate all the spending at the same time? And if you don't like the lottery then don't play. I never have supported it and see no reason why the state should be running a gambling operation.

I would support privatizing the lottery too. And the museums. And publicly funding TV stations (PBS). And publicly funded radio stations (NPR). And Amtrack . . . if you could find a buyer for that money loser! The government has no business being in business.

Very well written, I agree 100%.

 

[eatsnopaste]

Fine... I hope someday they put tolls on I-465 and when you start whining and crying about it, I will be all for it. Hell, lets just toll all our interstates in Indiana to make it fair like in NY state. I80/90 is the only good and fast way across the northern section of Indiana and to lease it to FOREIGNERS for 75 years when opposition to it was VERY HIGH was wrong.

Opposition was only high in a few counties as you can see by the posts. Only the counties bordering the toll road and only those people in those counties that don't know the difference between selling and leasing or the difference between a state in the black or a state cutting all sorts of programs and improvements (see most other states) the lease was a good deal for ALL hoosiers and like another poster said...only problem was the length..and I don't remember any American companies involved in the bidding.

 

[Bill of Rights]

if Pat Bauer was against the toll road lease, that alone is reason enough for me to support it. Bauer won't support anything that people like us want.

You know like freedom, individual responsibility , little things...

Blessings,
Bill