Published: May 12, 2008 10:31 am            

About that stimulus check ...

When told some folks here have nicknamed consolidation talks between Zionsville and two Boone County townships “Booniegov,” Mitch Daniels threw back his head, slapped the counter at Sigler’s Restaurant in Mechanicsburg, and laughed.

“That’s great,” he said.

During a casual interview with reporters Wednesday, Daniels spoke about smarter and smaller government, biofuels, his hopes he will be “rehired” by Indiana’s citizens, and why he won’t suggest what Hoosiers do with their federal “economic stimulus” checks.

From Zionsville to Fort Wayne, Daniels has talked with “people from both parties” who are looking for ways to create local government synergys.

“I hope its around reform first, instead of finding new ways to hit the taxpayer,” he said.

Government and schools can increase services and lower spending, Daniels said.

“I’m for smaller schools,” he said. “We only get 61 percent of the education dollar into the classroom.” Indiana has the third-worst ratio of administrators to teachers, he said.

“I’m for saving money on the administrative side and using it to make the classroom, and maybe the schools, smaller.”

What about people who worry about losing small town identity in the name of efficiency, though?

The consolidation concept causes unnecessary confusion.

“I am very much in favor of preserving local identity,” Daniels said. “I actually think it would be easier if we spent our money more wisely and kept taxes down, so people in business stay in our smaller towns and rural communities.”

There’s little states can do to help residents deal with rising oil prices, other than encouraging research into options. “If something costs more, it’s because you don’t have enough of it,” Daniels said.

“I’m a big supporter of biofuels of all kinds,” Daniels said.

Purdue University scientists are looking for ways to use switchgrass and other alternative crops for biofuels, Daniels said. “It can’t come soon enough.”

“We played catch-up with the first generation of ethanol,” Daniels said. “Now, we want to lead the second generation.” Second-generation biofuels include switchgrass, wood chips and other cellulosic sources.

Indiana no longer offers incentives to attract builders of corn-to-ethanol plants, Daniels said. That’s first-generation technology.

Daniels considered his 2004 campaign “a 16-month job interview.” He’s not changed his attitude.

“I am the employee of the people of Indiana, temporarily,” he said. “I try to remind everybody in our administration to think of it that way. Never forget who hired us.”

About those incentive checks?

Do what you will, Daniels said.

“I’m a believer in individual freedom,” he said.

— Rod Rose is the assistant managing editor of The Lebanon Reporter. He may be reached at rod.rose@reporter.net.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.