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 UPDATE |
January 29, 2009 |
A look at news and events in the Daniels Administration
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Daniels: State will be prepared for federal economic stimulus fundsJanuary 29, 2009– Governor Mitch Daniels has said the goal for federal economic stimulus funds that come to Indiana will be to keep and put more Hoosiers to work and do it quickly. “Our goal is to be out of the gate as fast as any state to obligate the funds and get projects started,” said Daniels. On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved its version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, better known as the federal economic stimulus bill. Daniels said Indiana could receive $4 billion to $5 billion according to a preliminary analysis of the bill. Daniels said the stimulus package is designed for states that have far worse financial worries than Indiana, so he will urge that funds be spent for one-time projects that don’t increase the state’s budget base to a level that cannot be maintained when the stimulus payments cease. “It is one-time money, and it must be used for one-time purposes. There is an enormous danger of building a cliff if we allow this to come into the ongoing base of state government,” said Daniels. “In two years when it’s not there anymore, we would have to make massive cuts in order to make ends meet.” The governor said the state will have transportation and other projects ready to go as soon as the stimulus bill becomes law. “Our intention is to be as smart as possible in making sure these dollars go straight to jobs, not someone’s political pet project, and not to something that is not related to economic growth, and to move very fast,” said Daniels, who has begun to meet with state legislative leaders. “This cannot be a giant cookie jar for people’s long-cherished wish lists. We want to try to make sure every dollar goes to strengthening the Indiana economy, and goes as quickly as possible.” Of the $4 billion to $5 billion expected to come to Indiana, $1.5 billion to $2 billion will be for capital projects. Categories and approximate amounts Indiana could receive are:
In addition, more than $1 billion from economic stimulus funds are likely to go directly to Indiana K-12 schools. The federal government also is expected to make billions of dollars available on a competitive basis to private and public entities. Daniels has assigned Secretary of Commerce Mitch Roob to analyze competitive grant fund opportunities and work with colleges and universities, industry, non-profit entities, business, and others to support those efforts. Audio of the governor’s news conference may be found at this link: http://www.in.gov/gov/files/Audio/012909_MediaAvailability.mp3 State accepting applications for Mr., Miss Math or ScienceJanuary 26, 2009– Governor Mitch Daniels has announced that applications are now being accepted for the 2009 Hoosier High School Math and Science Awards. The governor created the award last year to recognize the state’s top high school talent in math and science. “Our best math and science students are vastly more important to Indiana’s future than our best athletes, and I say that as a fervent sports fan,” said Daniels. “It’s time they got the applause they have earned.” All Indiana high school students are eligible to receive the award and can apply online. Nominations from teachers, principals and other school staff members will also be accepted. Application criteria will include such information as SAT, ACT and Advanced Placement scores, awards and prizes as well as grades received in math and science courses. Winners, who will be acknowledged as Mr. or Miss Math or Science, respectively, will be selected by a committee of high school math and science teachers, curriculum experts from the Indiana Department of Education, and representatives from the Governor’s Office. Each winner also will receive a $2,000 academic scholarship from McGraw-Hill Education. “We must create a culture in Indiana education that instills our students with the same passion for academics that our society currently has for athletics, and that begins with programs like this that reward our academic achievers with the same recognition we give to our athletic achievers,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett. The award was developed with input from the Indiana Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Network, the Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, Inc., the Indiana Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Science Education Foundation of Indiana, Inc. and the Indiana Department of Education. The inaugural award winners were Samuel Dittmer of Zionsville Community High School who was named “Indiana Mr. Math,” and Swara Kopparty of Terre Haute South Vigo High School who was named “Indiana Miss Science.” Applications are available online at https://secure.in.gov/apps/mathscienceawards/. The deadline to apply is March 8. Winners will be announced before the end of the school year. Governor announces 100 jobs, new unemployment claims processing centerJanuary 23, 2009– Governor Mitch Daniels traveled to Fort Wayne and Elkhart last week to visit Department of Workforce Development (DWD) WorkOne Centers. The governor announced that 100 new staff will be hired to help unemployed Hoosiers, half in Fort Wayne and half in Indianapolis. The 50 new positions in “When people are hurting, we can’t move too fast, and being way above average isn’t good enough,” said Daniels. “We’re determined that jobless Hoosiers will get the quickest and most efficient service in DWD pays 93 percent of first-time claims within 21 days, well beyond the federal government’s standard of 87 percent. Despite a doubling of total claims from a year ago, 85 percent of claims are being paid within seven days. The new adjudicators will be state employees who resolve issues and investigate unemployment claim discrepancies across “These new positions will provide an immediate impact on DWD’s ability to process unemployment insurance issues and efficiently deliver benefits to Hoosiers,” said Teresa Voors, Commissioner of the Department of Workforce Development. “By filling these positions through our WorkOne centers we will help 100 Hoosiers to return to the world of work.” Hoosiers interested in applying for these positions should visit Governor visits Columbia City
January 23, 2009- Governor Daniels visited a popular Whitley County establishment for lunch last Friday. The governor enjoyed his usual "on the road" lunchtime selection, a breaded tenderloin, and spent time chatting with local residents at Big G’s Sports Café in Columbia City between stops in Fort Wayne and Elkhart. Governor to honor Purdue engineer with 2008 Nelson Innovation AwardJanuary 29, 2009– Governor Mitch Daniels will honor biomedical engineer Dr. Leslie A. Geddes with the 2008 Dr. Phillip E. Nelson Innovation Award for his groundbreaking accomplishments in medical research and treatments. “The work of a great scientist and inventor like Dr. Geddes does more to improve people's lives than that of any politician or business leader,” said Daniels. “The contributions he has made to our state not only through his scientific innovations but also the lives he has inspired are exactly why we honor him today.” Dr. Geddes, 87, the Showalter Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University, is the first to receive the award. Daniels created the award in 2007 to recognize outstanding Hoosier scientists for their unique discoveries, research and inventions, and to encourage young people to consider careers in science. The Nelson Innovation Award is named to honor of Dr. Phillip E. Nelson, a Purdue University scientist awarded the 2007 World Food Prize for his revolutionary achievements in the field of food processing. Geddes began his academic career in 1952 at Baylor University College of Medicine and was recruited to Purdue in 1974 to lead the creation of a biomedical engineering research center to undertake advanced research and develop new marketable technologies. His seminal research in biomedical engineering has spawned innovations ranging from burn treatments to miniature defibrillators and from ligament repair to tiny blood pressure monitors for premature infants. His breakthroughs form a cornerstone of much of the modern implantable medical device field, as noted when he received the National Medal of Technology, the nation’s highest technical honor, from President George W. Bush in 2006. Geddes received the university's Outstanding Commercialization Award in 2004 to recognize his 32 patents, many now licensed by Indiana companies including Cook Biotech Inc., DePuy, Inc. and Eli Lilly & Company. In 2008 Dr. Geddes was inducted into Purdue University’s Book of Great Teachers. Geddes has written 23 books and published more than 800 scientific papers. Though officially retired since 1991, Geddes still comes to work every day around 4:30 a.m. to teach and continue ongoing research projects. He has educated more than 2,000 biomedical engineers in his lifetime. “I think one of his key attributes is his ability to inspire people, including students, faculty and industrial collaborators, to think creatively and innovate,” said George Wodicka, head of the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. “Everyone who works with him is energized by his curiosity and his willingness to test new ideas.” The Nelson Innovation Award selection committee consisted of five Hoosier scientists from the state’s universities and private industry. Geddes will receive a commemorative plaque and a $5,000 honorarium from the privately funded Indiana Economic Development Foundation. “In every way possible, we are seeking to elevate Hoosier appreciation for science and technology and the people who excel in it,” said Daniels. “We hope our young people will increasingly aspire to pursue these studies and these careers.” Dr. Geddes’ bio is available here: http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2009a/090128GeddesBio.html A photo of Dr. Geddes is available here: http://news.uns.purdue.edu/images/+mugshots/geddes-l04.jpg Governor's Fellowship application deadline approachingJanuary 29, 2009- The deadline to apply for the Governor's Fellowship progam is quickly approaching. Potential applicants must apply within the next two weeks in order to recieve consideration. The Governor's Fellowship program was designed to provide recent college graduates with a unique experience in Indiana State government. The program is highly selective, recruiting talented young men and women from across the State who will serve in various State agencies on a rotating basis over the course of twelve months. Fellows participate in the daily activities of State government, complete special projects, travel to observe how work in the Capitol translates into action throughout the State, and experience firsthand how policy is made.The Governor's Fellowship Program is open to college graduates who receive their bachelor's degrees in either summer/fall of 2008 or spring of 2009. While any such graduate may apply, special consideration is given to applicants from Indiana, and likely candidates will have a B- or above grade point average. A steering committee conducts an initial review of the applications; the most qualified candidates are then selected to interview with the committee at the State House in Indianapolis. After the interviews, the committee forwards its recommendations to the governor based on applicant's leadership skills, academic record, references, quality of essay and overall interest in state government. The governor then makes the final selection. Governor's Fellows receive a competitive salary (approximately $24,000) plus full fringe benefits during the Fellowship year. The year of service corresponds with the state fiscal year, July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. Governor's Fellows work in a variety of settings including the Governor's Office, Lieutenant Governor's Office, Office of Management and Budget, the Family and Social Services Administration, Department of Environmental Management, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Administration, Department of Homeland Security and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, to name a few. Many of those who have participated as Governor's Fellows over the past two decades have gone on to successful careers in both the public and the private sector - some serving at the highest levels of local, State and federal government. They have taken from their fellowship experience a solid understanding of the workings of government and have honed their research, writing, communication and management skills. At the same time, they have given back to the State through their year in public service. To apply, complete the application and mail it to the governor's office. The application must be postmarked by February 13, 2009, in order to be considered. Governor's Fellowship Application 2009-2010 Overheard: Governor Daniels in the newsThe Post & Mail By: TJ Hemlinger January 24, 2009Gov. Mitch Daniels stopped in Columbia City Friday noon for lunch and a chance to say hello to some constituents and county officials at Big G’s on the south side of town. He worked a crowded room before sitting down to a breaded tenderloin — with ketchup — and then answered a few questions. Speaking about economic development, Daniels said, “We are working every day, believe it or not, to help businesses that want to start or to relocate to Indiana. We’ve been overwhelmed by businesses that continue to inquire about us. “I believe we’re doing all we can to present Indiana with a competitive advantage. When you look at anybody’s competitive rating, we’re at the top, with the exception of a few Sun Belt states. We’re keeping taxes down, and we’re keeping a positive workforce.” This session of the General Assembly is the “long” session, when legislators have to produce a balanced budget. “I don’t think it will be hard at all,” Daniels said. “I think we need to know there will be a flood of federal money, which is the taxpayers’ money, as far as I’m concerned, but it will be a one-time thing. Most states will need this money just to keep the lights on. In Indiana we are keeping the lights on because we’ve been frugal.” Asked if he thought the legislature would take any action on the recommendations of the Kernan-Shepard Report, which outlined a streamlining of county government by eliminating county commissioners and township trustees and having one county official appoint the assessor, recorder, treasurer and other positions, Daniels said simply, “I hope so. “As I’ve been saying, we’re in tough times. We’re trying to make a more efficient and better government. This is a method that may not have all the answers, but it’s better than doing nothing.” Daniels was stopping at unemployment centers across this part of the state to tell workers he appreciated their efforts in these trying economic times. “It haunts me how fast this (surge in unemployment) came on,” he said. Then he was off to his next stop. |
