It's sounding more and more that republicans are looking to Mitch Daniels to be the nominee in the next Presidential election. I'd be curious to hear what locals think about Daniels (truly, not making a jab here). Kind of an interesting article that both could cause a problem and rally the troops, depending on your economic perspective (tea party or republican) - C.
Hey, Big Spender!
What Mitch Daniels Did to Indiana
By CAROL POLSGROVE
From Counterpunch.org
Bloomington.
The idea that possible presidential candidate Mitch Daniels represents fiscal restraint sounds like hogwash to opponents of three pricey projects moving forward on his watch as governor of Indiana.
At Edwardsport, Ind., construction cost overruns have skyrocketed at a Duke Energy plant that would convert coal into synthetic gas to generate electricity. Consumer groups and industrial customers have balked at the $2.72 billion bill that Duke wants ratepayers to pick up.
Then there is the proposed Rockport gasification plant, which would turn Indiana's high-sulfur coal into synthetic natural gas. While at Edwardsport ratepayers are paying to build the plant, for Rockport the state had the bright idea of having utility ratepayers assure 30-year revenues for the company financing it (Leucadia National). Six gas distribution companies have opposed the plant, and even a legislator who sponsored the bill authorizing the arrangement -- State Rep. Win Moses -- believes it "represents too great a risk for ratepayers and the economy of the state to bear." He has urged the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to reject it. A letter to the IURC signed by 21 legislators also opposes the project. The Indianapolis Star reported: "According to the letter, Leucadia's project faced 'multiple barriers in the free market,' so it turned to the government for 'intervention on private business dealings.'"
In a further example of second thoughts, local officials have changed their minds about letting the state run Interstate 69 through my town, Bloomington -- in part because of the state's manifest inability to show where it would get the money for the project.
More here: http://counterpunch.org/polsgrove05182011.html
Interesting wrapup to article:
Those of us watching all this play out in Indiana can't help but wonder at the national image of Mitch as a clean-jeans kind of guy careful with money. To some of us, he looks like a bully who can tighten the belts of teachers and civil servants and fatten the wallets of energy and construction companies -- a man who uses the power of the state to transfer wealth from Indiana citizens to the pockets of companies that I imagine understand how to return the favor.
You want Mitch to the run the country? Better first take a closer look at what he's done in Indiana.
Hey, Big Spender!
What Mitch Daniels Did to Indiana
By CAROL POLSGROVE
From Counterpunch.org
Bloomington.
The idea that possible presidential candidate Mitch Daniels represents fiscal restraint sounds like hogwash to opponents of three pricey projects moving forward on his watch as governor of Indiana.
At Edwardsport, Ind., construction cost overruns have skyrocketed at a Duke Energy plant that would convert coal into synthetic gas to generate electricity. Consumer groups and industrial customers have balked at the $2.72 billion bill that Duke wants ratepayers to pick up.
Then there is the proposed Rockport gasification plant, which would turn Indiana's high-sulfur coal into synthetic natural gas. While at Edwardsport ratepayers are paying to build the plant, for Rockport the state had the bright idea of having utility ratepayers assure 30-year revenues for the company financing it (Leucadia National). Six gas distribution companies have opposed the plant, and even a legislator who sponsored the bill authorizing the arrangement -- State Rep. Win Moses -- believes it "represents too great a risk for ratepayers and the economy of the state to bear." He has urged the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to reject it. A letter to the IURC signed by 21 legislators also opposes the project. The Indianapolis Star reported: "According to the letter, Leucadia's project faced 'multiple barriers in the free market,' so it turned to the government for 'intervention on private business dealings.'"
In a further example of second thoughts, local officials have changed their minds about letting the state run Interstate 69 through my town, Bloomington -- in part because of the state's manifest inability to show where it would get the money for the project.
More here: http://counterpunch.org/polsgrove05182011.html
Interesting wrapup to article:
Those of us watching all this play out in Indiana can't help but wonder at the national image of Mitch as a clean-jeans kind of guy careful with money. To some of us, he looks like a bully who can tighten the belts of teachers and civil servants and fatten the wallets of energy and construction companies -- a man who uses the power of the state to transfer wealth from Indiana citizens to the pockets of companies that I imagine understand how to return the favor.
You want Mitch to the run the country? Better first take a closer look at what he's done in Indiana.
