Version 1.0
So I realize that not everyone knows a whole lot about the great state of Indiana! In turn, I have decided to create Hoosier Nation, a blog that I hope will enlighten everyone about the issues facing Hoosiers. Here is the first edition.
Indiana is a state where tradition is a big deal. Hoosier basketball and “heartland rock” are about as inescable as your local Starbucks franchises. In fact, the average resident probably thinks that Bobby Knight is the NCAA’s most mild mannered coach and that John Mellencamp is America’s only epic rock star. But one Hoosier tradition that runs especially deep is that of military service. Indiana has the largest deployment of national guardsmen currently serving in theMiddle East.In total, 4,133 National Guardsmen serve in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Of course, reasons for joining the army have been well chronicled. Some people join to pay for college, others to see new parts of the world, and others to find a long term career. But these incentives fail to explain why Indiana contributes so heavily to America’s military.
Perhaps the answer lies within the very word discussed above: tradition. It’s a word that Hoosiers value above all others. Many families in the state have served in the military for several generations so it’s no surprise that in a post 9/11 world Hoosiers have continued to serve with honor.
On Friday I had the chance to attend Republican Governor Mitch Daniels weekly press conference. Highlights included a new announcement regarding state aid for counties ravaged by the recent floods as well as some thoughtful commentary on his upcoming bid for re-election.
The Governor announced that local counties will receive a total of $620 million in property tax relief early. The money is meant to ease cash flow concerns while Indiana waits for extra federal aid to be delivered in the wake of heavy flooding.
"As I traveled around the state, many mayors, town board presidents and other officials told me that the flooding has really caused them some cash problems. They have things they need to do in the near term. This is a way we can get $620 million of cash to the counties and then to the localities of the state so they don't have to borrow money to deal with the immediate needs," Daniels said.
The Governor explained that the state has finished with a balanced budget for the last three years and can afford to send the money out early.
Of course, the line of questioning turned partisan rather quickly. When asked by a reporter if the upcoming Indiana Democratic Convention would represent the start of a dirty campaign he said that everyone will have to wait and see.
As noted above a governor’s race is going on. To see the web sites for the main candidates click the links below.
Want to learn more about Indiana? Take a look at the statescensus data!