Officials react positively to address

By Heather Mangold
City Editor

Local legislators had positive reactions to Gov. O'Bannon's State of the State address Wednesday in Indianapolis. The address annually informs Hoosiers and lawmakers of the governor's expectations for the year.

O'Bannon was optimistic and said he looks forward to keeping Indiana in a state of progress.

Rep. Sheila Klinker, D-27th, said, "I thought the governor was very upbeat even though revenues are not coming in."

O'Bannon addressed issues such as education, the fiscal budget and research and technology.

Both Klinker and Sen. Ronnie Alting, D-22nd, agreed that O'Bannon's primary focus seemed to be on education in Indiana.

"I'm very pleased that his number one priority was education," said Alting.

The governor plans to prioritize reading and reading assessment, said Alting.

"Reading is the heart of education," said Alting. "Without it we get nowhere."

O'Bannon is proposing a "Ready to Read" program that will help Indiana children to acquire reading skills by the third grade.

Along with education, research and technology is also a primary issue in the governor's address.

"This is the number one issue that will affect Purdue," said Klinker.

Purdue has already received several grants for research and technology in areas like genomics, tissue engineering, engine design and high-speed Internet video, according to Klinker.

"I'm extremely happy that he (the governor) will continue to fund high-tech programs," said Alting.

O'Bannon is proposing that the state support Indiana's expenses with gaming tax and tobacco settlement money.

"The money from gaming and tobacco was never intended to be used for the general budget," said Alting.

Alting said the money's original intent was to help Indiana's smaller communities who aren't able to get money any other way.

Klinker realizes there will be some resistance among legislators but speculates that it will be necessary to use these funds.

"I think if we're going to move forward we're going to have to look at tapping into the gaming and tobacco money," Klinker said.

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(765) 743-1111 ext. 250

City editor:
Heather Mangold

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