Governor discusses education, alternative energy at rally
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 08/27/2008
Michael Carney | Staff Photographer
Governor Daniels speaking at his rally Tuesday evening.
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Gov. Mitch Daniels answered questions important to Purdue and West Lafayette residents during his campaign visit Tuesday.
The rally, which was organized and sponsored by Purdue's "Students for Mitch" group, was the result of a collaboration between the student group and the governor's office.
"We were actually approached by the governor's campaign," Adam Scheidt, the president of Students for Mitch, said. "I was actually on vacation for a good part of the planning, but luckily we got some pretty good people to take care of things."
During the question and answer session held with the audience, Daniels answered questions on topics important to students and residents, such as alternative energy, agriculture and health care.
One of Daniels' primary focuses was on the topic of education. He talked about his vision for Indiana where every student is guaranteed two years in an IVY Tech institution, saying that a high school diploma is no longer the only thing needed for a person to get a decent paying job.
"That was great while it lasted, but it is long gone," Daniels said. He said the effort to get every student that education could be funded in part by the Hoosier Lottery.
"Most of y'all are too young to remember this, but when Hoosier Lottery was first pitched, people were told that the money would go to education," Daniels said. "We would, at least partially, honor that promise."
Daniels also said Purdue plays an important role in the future of alternative energy in Indiana.
"Purdue has special importance to me, with all the research that gets done here," Daniels said. "I've been on this campus many, many times. I never miss an opportunity."
Former West Lafayette City Councilor Ross McMullin, who assisted the Students for Mitch group in arranging the event, said having Daniels on campus was exciting.
"He's a great candidate," McMullin said. "He really emphasizes and focuses on the youth in Indiana. You hear the buzzwords hope and change quite a bit, but Mitch Daniels is someone who's actually delivered."