Daniels announces 2011 agenda

Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) released his agenda for the final two years of his term, emphasizing reforming education and redistricting Indiana as top priorities.

With Republicans capturing full control in both the Indiana House and Senate after the 2010 midterm election, Daniels has a good deal of support, which could play to his advantage when working to pass his legislative priorities. 

Daniel’s legislative priorities include merit pay for teachers or evaluating teachers pay based on student learning, holding schools accountable for student learning and providing more options so parents can make informed decisions, according to a press release issued by Daniels’ office. 

During a news conference on Nov. 4, Daniels said he wants to expand the amount of charter schools. He also said he will work to eliminate any state laws, regulations or local teacher contract strictures to give the school more flexibility.

“With more accountability goes flexibility and today, the hands of superintendents and school boards are tied,” Daniels said. “It’s only fair that if we hold people more responsible, we let them have the tools to get it done in the way they see best under local control.

Daniels also said he will specifically ask the General Assembly to consider giving students who complete their graduation requirements in less than 12 years the money the government would have otherwise spent on their 12th grade year. 

With the extra money, Daniels said students would be able to defer the costs of higher education.

Moreover, Daniels will push for a redraw of Indiana’s nine congressional districts based on the 2010 census to reverse the boundary lines previously enforced by Democrats after the 2000 elections. This could have a drastic effect on future races. 

Because redistricting only happens once every 10 years, this is the first time in a decade the Republican majority has been given a chance to reverse boundary lines.    
        
Redrawing based on a census gives insight on where the wealthy suburbs and ethnic neighborhoods are located. If a district is redrawn, the region could be switched from red to blue or vice versa.

Republican State Rep. Brian Bosma, Indiana’s next majority state house speaker told the Wall Street Journal in April 2010 that Indiana could be the poster child of the importance of the 2010 midterm election with respect to redistricting.

On top of education and redistricting concerns, Daniels also outlined a series of other priorities.

Daniels said he will work to balance the budget without a taxpayer increase and enact a state government spending cap that will work as a taxpayer refund.

Daniels also highlighted a motivational program for state employees. He said he wants require annual state employee performance reviews to rank the best performers and therefore pay them more. He also wants to prohibit mandatory dues payments.

“I want to present to the citizens of our state the outlines of a very ambitious agenda for more positive change in Indiana,” Daniels said in a press release. “It’s a big set of assignments, and we are really excited about the chance for Indiana to surge forward on all of these fronts.”

— Evie Salomon