Kernan qualified to lead state

Less than a week after the death of Gov. Frank O'Bannon, Hoosiers are still grieving. But just as Gov. O'Bannon would want, state leaders must also refocus on strengthening Indiana's future.\nThis tall task falls to our new governor, Joe Kernan. Kernan, who ascended to the governor's office upon O'Bannon's death, has the experience to lead Indiana. After serving three terms as mayor of South Bend, Gov. Kernan was lieutenant governor for the last seven years.\nAs lieutenant governor, Kernan was actively involved in leading the state and developing fiscal policies. Of Kernan's experience, House of Representatives Speaker Patrick Bauer told The Associated Press on Monday, "(Kernan's) not someone who has been sitting on the sidelines … He has been in the game."\nThis sentiment has been reflected by several state leaders. There is no doubt that Kernan is prepared to lead the state; the critical question is in what direction he will take us.\nWhile he has only 15 months as governor, Joe Kernan has the opportunity to seize the day and put forth a strong vision for our future. His ability to do this will determine, in large measure, the success of his administration.\nFrank O'Bannon left the state better than he found it, but there are still several problems facing us. First and foremost is the state's $800 million deficit, as The Indianapolis Star reported.\nIn order that Hoosier taxpayers won't be punished in the future, Kernan should take the lead on permanently fixing our budget woes. While the legislature and the governor worked hard to find common ground in the budget formulated this year, this budget should be reviewed when the legislature reconvenes in January.\nWith the national economic hard times, Indiana's resources in fixing its budget are limited. Fiscal responsibility should be the objective. Cutting spending or raising taxes are the tools.\nKernan must show leadership on the budget. Inaction, while a possibility, should not be an option. In this early hour of his administration, we can't be sure of his final proposals. But hopefully, he will keep up Gov. O'Bannon's commitment to education.\nPublic education is the great equalizer. In Indiana, regardless of your socioeconomic background, our Constitution ensures you an education. O'Bannon took this commitment seriously, and so should Gov. Kernan. Hopefully, he will use his 15 months to expand opportunities for disadvantaged Hoosiers and resist much of the recent political pressure to cut funding to inner-city schools.\nAs IU students, we also hope Gov. Kernan will keep higher education in mind. We all know personally how important state-funded higher education is to Indiana. Kernan must ensure funding for IU, Purdue University and others that allows these institutions to offer a high quality education to Hoosiers at a reasonable cost.\nAt the same time, he should build on O'Bannon's initiatives that will bring Indiana into the 21st century economy. For example, he could do this by fighting for full funding of Energize Indiana programs which fund scientific research programs at IU and elsewhere.\nAgain, Gov. Kernan has several fiscal paths to choose from. But when doing so he should, as Gov. O'Bannon did, remember Indiana's schools and, specifically, IU.\nWhile such decisions are for the future, Gov. Kernan must soon help the state move forward.\nIn his 1997 inaugural address, Gov. O'Bannon said: "Life is no brief candle for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I got hold of for a moment. And I want to make it burn as brightly as I can before turning it over to future generations."\nGov. Kernan would be wise to live by those words.