Business leaders say they're encouraged by Indiana elections

By Peter Schnitzler, The IBJ

pschnitzler@ibj.com

Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels' landslide reelection, despite the national Democratic tide, buoys central Indiana business leaders' expectations of success on key issues including installation of constitutional caps on property taxes and comprehensive local government reform.

Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce President Roland Dorson said Hoosiers overcame their resistance to the more controversial aspects of Daniels' business agenda, such as the adoption of daylight-saving time or the lease of the Indiana Toll Road, to affirm their overall support of his business-friendly agenda.

"Hoosiers embraced change at the state level. I think they recognized and acknowledged in the voting booth that the past is a great place to visit, but you don't want to live there," Dorson said. "They recognized Governor Daniels' vision and gave him a mandate for change."

The outcome of the majority of other races on the ballot enhance that prospect, Dorson said.

Daniels will enjoy support of Republicans Tony Bennett, the new state superintendent of public instruction, and Greg Zoeller, the new attorney general. And while final results of several key races in the Indiana House were still in doubt this morning, it appears Democrats will enjoy at best a slim majority there.

Perhaps most important, Dorson said, is the outcome of Ballot Question One, which moved all nine of Marion County's township assessors under the authority of Marion County Assessor Greg Bowes. Dorson expects implementation of the remainder of the Kernan-Shepard Commission's local government reforms to top the Legislature's agenda in January.

The referendum passed overwhelmingly in all eight Marion County townships where the matter was on the ballot.

But Daniels faces a daunting challenge, as the souring national economy tilts closer to a deep recession. Indiana Association of Realtors CEO Karl Berron said Daniels' choices will be hemmed in by that reality, particularly as the auto industry's woes spread to manufacturing-intense Indiana.

Berron said a majority of Hoosiers clearly understand the depth of the daunting problems on the horizon. And that's why they overwhelmingly stuck with Daniels and his governing priorities of balanced budgets and aggressive attempts to court business expansion.

"His approach and philosophy was validated. That's a really, really important thing for Indiana ," Berron said. "Now more than ever, in today's world, you've got to adapt and change."