Lawmakers from county react to speech - South Bend Tribune

Indiana lawmakers who represent portions of St. Joseph County issued these statements Tuesday night after Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels delivered his eighth and final State of the State address while in office.

House Minority Leader Pat Bauer, D-South Bend

“Over the past eight years, these speeches have taken on a depressing familiarity: our governor talks big, but comes up small when it comes to results. This is particularly true when talking about the most important issue of this session: getting Hoosiers back to work.

“It figures that he chooses never to look back when talking about his time in office. He doesn’t want people to remember that the unemployment rate was 5.5 percent when he took office, but is at 9 percent now. He doesn’t want people to remember that he found it unacceptable as a candidate that Hoosiers only earned 91 cents on the dollar compared to the national average, but remains silent as governor now when Hoosiers earn only 86 cents on the dollar.

“At a time when so many are looking to the state for help, our governor’s only response is to continue to endorse a plan that will result in fewer jobs at lower pay in unsafe workplaces: ‘right to work for less.’ ...

[body_starts_here]“Fortunately, for those who are frustrated with the governor’s failure to act and the tyranny of the House Republicans, Indiana House Democrats have another option. It is called Helping Hoosiers NOW.

“Rather than pursuing a Republican plan that focuses on fewer jobs at lower pay in unsafe workplaces, this legislature could pursue a House Democratic plan that recognizes we need to help Indiana’s small businesses first and do something to help our veterans and the unemployed find work now, rather than down the road.

“‘Helping Hoosiers NOW’ also would provide targeted tax relief for families, an increased focus on early education, and protections for Hoosiers of all ages.

“The people of Indiana should know that there is another path to follow that doesn’t place Hoosiers at risk. House Democrats will continue to fight for the interests of the people of Indiana through the rest of this 2012 session.”

Sen. John Broden, D-South Bend

“I was very disappointed in the governor’s speech this evening. I did not hear a concrete plan to improve Indiana’s economy, to create jobs, to create economic development opportunities. Instead we heard more of the same, which was misleading statistics and an agenda that I think takes us backwards.

“I was also very disappointed to hear the governor give his endorsement for so-called ‘right to work’ legislation. This is proven time after time to reduce wages for working people, to make economic development actually more difficult, and also make it more difficult to fund the things that are critical to us as a growth state going forward, such as education.

“I was also very disappointed that the governor did not commit to putting some of the $320 million so-called ‘found’ dollars back into education. School corporations throughout the state faced very serious cuts as a result of last session’s budget. While we have opportunity to put more money into education as a result of the $320 million that mysteriously appeared in our state’s coffers, the governor made no mention of this whatsoever.

“I’m hopeful that the legislature will take the lead on these issues if the governor won’t take the lead.”

Rep. Tim Neese, R-Elkhart

“I am grateful I was in attendance of Gov. Daniels’ final State of the State address. Gov. Daniels has provided extremely strong leadership in guiding the state of Indiana out of debt and moving toward avenues conducive to Hoosier job creation.

“The General Assembly is working hard to get Hoosiers back to work. Though Indiana has come a long way both economically and fiscally, we still have a lot of hard work to do in making this state even stronger. I am excited to move forward this session in discussing ways to further improve Indiana, and I continue to welcome all input from the community.”

Rep. Tim Wesco, R-Osceola

“During the eight years that Gov. Daniels has served as Indiana’s leader, he has made Indiana an attractive place for people to live and work. His leadership and fiscal responsibility have softened the effects of the national recession, and has allowed Indiana families and businesses to prosper. I commend him for all of the work that he has done for the people of this great state.

“I await the return of the House Democrats, and look forward to the discussion that will commence when they make the decision to face the issues, as opposed to run from them. As an elected representative I recognize my responsibility to the people of my district, and I hope that the House Democrats will come to remember this responsibility as well. There is much to be done.”