My man has the plan

For anyone who fears they may have to leave Indiana in search of a better future after graduation, there may still be hope. Hoosiers welcomed our new governor, Republican Mitch Daniels, into office Monday, and things are about to start changing.\nHowever, with 16 years of Democratic Party rule dating back to Evan Bayh, preceded by 20 years of Republican domination, it's obvious that we here in Indiana aren't receptive to change. So the question is: Are you ready?\nDaniels' agenda is stacked, and he has the power to back it up with Republicans dominating state legislature. It couldn't come any sooner. Indiana has been losing jobs for years, our Bureau of Motor Vehicles is a mess, and the state is in debt.\nNow I may be a biased conservative, but 53 percent of Hoosiers agree with me, according to the Secretary of State Web page, that "My Man Mitch" can get the job done. Besides, he already started working in the summer of 2003.\nSo what exactly is on the table for My Gov. Mitch? What should Hoosiers expect to see from his administration?\nLet's start with jobs. Economic reform in Indiana was a key issue for both gubernatorial candidates last fall, and after losing more than 180,000 jobs between 2000 and 2002, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Indiana's economy is suffering. With the new Indiana Economic Development Corp. and the creation of a secretary of commerce, Daniels' economic comeback should be underway, pending general assembly approval. \nOutside of job creation, Mitch has made some other troubled state administration changes. The Family and Social Services Administration, which deals with areas such as child services, senior citizens and disabled Hoosiers, is being split. A new agency will be created under Daniels, the Indiana Department of Child Services, to help alleviate stress on this struggling division of state government.\nThe work to bring these issues forward has already begun. As announced during the campaign, adjusting Indiana's time zone to account for daylight savings is another project for the Republican governor in an effort to bring Indiana up to speed with the rest of the nation. If House Bill 1034 passes, supported by Daniels, Hoosiers would roll back their clocks twice a year like the rest of the nation. \nFor the new governor, this adventure for change began a year and a half ago as he started his state tour. Months later, Hoosiers across the state, in every county, had stories to tell and memories to share about a man and a legacy that has yet to begin.\nHis "Notes from the Road" allowed supporters a personal insight on his travels and gave readers a better sense of Mitch Daniels the person, not the politician. With stories about struggling teens, bands, county fairs and even the best tenderloins, many of us probably know more than we want to about our new leader. \nBut it was this man who traveled the roads in his RV, spent days and weeks listening and "interviewing" for the job of governor and opened himself up for suggestions from all 6 million of Indiana's residents. He shared laughs and memories, and anyone who has met him could attest he's the right man for the job.\nWith great promises and even higher expectations, all eyes should be on the new man with the plan, Mitch Daniels. The ceremonies are over, the new leaders in place and the transition is almost complete. Now it's time for us to watch and marvel. I'm looking forward to a new era of possibility in Indiana. I'm ready for the change.\nSo Mitch, get to work. We're all counting on you.