Steve Dick, Herald Bulletin
Health care was on the mind of Gov. Mitch Daniels as he visited the editorial board of The Herald Bulletin Friday. Just the day before he proposed an ambitious toll road loop around the east side of Indianapolis. He had plenty to say about that too. Keeping up with the governor can be trying for a reporter.
Next week, he said he will be proposing a new health care system for the working poor. He was coy about details. He came up with a name for the plan on Friday but wouldn't divulge it.
"This will empower people to take charge of their own health care," Daniels said. He added that a lot will be hinging on Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., which will have to match the money the state comes up with.
No more details, not until next week.
The majority of the time was talking about the Indiana Commerce Connector, the new toll loop that he believes will bring economic development to the area.
"It has great potential all around," he said. "There's more potential for Anderson and Madison County."
The loop would actually be built by a private company. None has been chosen yet, but Daniels mentioned a possible bidder, Bechtel, the huge construction firm based in California. The company would make back its costs with part of the toll. Indiana would maintain control of the highway.
"I believe that (if the project) is attractive enough, someone will build it," said Daniels. "People will step up to this." He hopes to start in six years and have the project done in 10 years. A private partner, he added, would get the job done faster.
He said he's all about using other people's money to help the state. "With this, there will be no tax increase, no borrowing," he said.
One of the goals of the loop would be to hustle traffic around Indianapolis faster. The loop intersects all the interstates in central Indiana.
"If we don't (build the loop), we'll need a 28-lane Interstate 465," Daniels said. "Talk to truckers. Every 15 minutes of delay costs them real money." He added that people will pay a toll for the convenience of bypassing Indianapolis. No toll costs have been set yet.
The governor will have to approach the General Assembly about tolling for the road. Last year, the Legislature approved tolling for the extension of Interstate 69 through southwest Indiana. Daniels said he hoped the legislators would simply transfer the tolling to the new loop.
This would leave the I-69 extension toll free and also move up its construction schedule. Daniels said Evansville's Democratic mayor, Jonathan Weinzapfel, has already endorsed the proposed loop.
Daniels said he's heard the criticism that the loop will cause sprawl and won't protect small towns. "Don't they want growth?" Daniels asked. "The whole state can't live in Fishers."
Another criticism is that such an ambitious new road will take a lot of land. Daniels acknowledged it would, but added that no Indiana administration has worked harder and been more pro-agriculture than his.
It's a bold approach that will take a lot of planning. Daniels admitted the idea of the loop has been tossed around for quite awhile, but he's trying to bring it to fruition.
During his visit, he also commented on the Democratic sweep on Tuesday. "I think the Republican Congress got what it had coming," he said, echoing a similar sentiment from Rep. Mike Pence.
About Indiana's House shifting to Democratic control, he said he assumes the best of people. "The agenda this year is less likely to stir disagreement," he said.
He said full-day kindergarten will be on the agenda and the legislators "ought to get it done."
After about an hour, the governor was off to Bloomington where there would be more talk on the loop and how it will affect the I-69 extension.