State Standoff

[No Time to Shoot]

Daniels: If no budget, state will all but shut down July 1

By Niki Kelly

The Journal Gazette



Daniels
File / The Journal Gazette
State parks, such as Chain O' Lakes, would close Wednesday if there is no state budget, Daniels said.


INDIANAPOLIS - Gov. Mitch Daniels said Friday that without a state budget nearly all state services will cease July 1, including parks, bureau of motor vehicles, casino gambling, highway construction and environmental inspections.
Daniels said he has legal authority to transfer money to fund the continued operation of the Department of Correction and the Indiana State Police, but all other state employees would be immediately furloughed.
The Department of Homeland Security, Board of Health and National Guard would be on standby.
Daniels also said the state could send public assistance to Hoosiers already deemed eligible - such as unemployment and food stamps - because the benefits are funded with federal dollars. But he said no one could apply for new services because state employees are responsible for determining eligibility.
"This would be an incredibly cruel and unfair result and again we appeal to the House Democratic leadership," the governor said. "They would be the only reason this would happen."
Daniels said he believes lawmakers would easily approve a Senate Republican budget compromise if House Speaker Pat Bauer, D-South Bend, allowed a vote.
Daniels' statements came after Bauer gave an interview to an Indianapolis TV station Thursday night indicating the special session might continue on past the June 30 budget deadline.

 

[mettle]

If the state is scrambling, how long til' more states are? Then, how long until the states need to start begging from .gov and then become NON-independent?

 

[jsgolfman]

"Daniels: If no budget, state will all but shut down July 1"

Excellent

 

[smokingman]

Maybe a month long shut down would do some good Just think of all the taxpayer money we could save!
I am joking to a point.I can not see the BMV shut down for a month being a good thing.Or the unemployment office when we are running 10%+

 

[hotfarmboy1]

Maybe a month long shut down would do some good Just think of all the taxpayer money we could save!
I am joking to a point.I can not see the BMV shut down for a month being a good thing.Or the unemployment office when we are running 10%+

he did say in there that the ones already eligible for unemployment would still get it. But sadly I'm still waiting on them to give me eligibility due to the reason Pioneer let me go. So if something doesn't happen in my favor soon (hopefully a new job!) then people like me could be in trouble. Along with others that may lose their jobs as well. I hope this gets figured out in time and Bauer gets his head out of his backside and lets them take the vote.

 

[lawrra]

Maybe a month long shut down would do some good Just think of all the taxpayer money we could save!
I am joking to a point.I can not see the BMV shut down for a month being a good thing.Or the unemployment office when we are running 10%+

I'm part of that 10% and my benefits run out on June 28th. I hope I can get approved for an extension before the 1st.

 

[Flintlock]

If the Dems in the House don't approve they're going to shoot their chances of getting reelected in the foot when all the state services shut down and blame is placed square on them.

 

[No Time to Shoot]

If the Dems in the House don't approve they're going to shoot their chances of getting reelected in the foot when all the state services shut down and blame is placed square on them.

We could only hope!

 

[jontheturboguy]

This ought to be interesting...

 

[rambone]

If the state is scrambling, how long til' more states are? Then, how long until the states need to start begging from .gov and then become NON-independent?

I thought Indiana was doing okay financially. I read this as more of a Congress unwilling to approve Gov. Daniels budget.

Anything unusual in the budget? Any reason why they won't approve it?

 

[Joe Williams]

I thought Indiana was doing okay financially. I read this as more of a Congress unwilling to approve Gov. Daniels budget.

Anything unusual in the budget? Any reason why they won't approve it?

A synopsis: Bauer and some of his co-horts want to spend more than the state is making. Daniels is insisting that that not happen, he wants a balanced budget, because spending money we don't have is a stupid thing to do.

 

[hardtrailz400]

It doesn't say if I will get off since I work for INDOT, but I wouldn't mind. I close on my house the 2nd and it would be nice to have the time to move in, but...WAIT...then I cant pay for the house and it gets foreclosed and the cycle continues. NO BUDGET=INDIANA GOVT BRILLIANCE

 

[No Time to Shoot]

The Speaker and cronies want to tap the states surplus for state agencies instead of sticking to their budgets.

Daniels thinks with the economy still going down maybe that's not such a good idea.

Since all these other states are bankrupt or going bankrupt.

 

[Hiram2005]

It doesn't say if I will get off since I work for INDOT, but I wouldn't mind. I close on my house the 2nd and it would be nice to have the time to move in, but...WAIT...then I cant pay for the house and it gets foreclosed and the cycle continues. NO BUDGET=INDIANA GOVT BRILLIANCE

Right, the two of us won't be working, but I think they will pass the budget in time. But if not, as far as I'm concerned, I guess I'll have a few days off.

 

[jedi]

Good news... I rather have the state shutdown then pass an UNBLANACED BUDGET. Either pass a budget we can afford (based on current market conditions) or close! I recall Billy Clinton doing this to Congress and they (Congress) got their act together afterwards. DOn't touch the SURPLUS that is our rainy day fund and it's not raining outside.

Indiana Congress go do you job and pass a BALANCED BUDGET!!!! If you can't do that then please drop off your "I quit" letter and be gone with you.

 

[5.56'aholic]

funny how people who want to try to spend their way out of recession have already proven that it only worsens the recession.

I say this to those elected officials who think more spending and borrowing is what we need: Do the right thing and vote for a balanced budget. Pet projects will have to wait until prosperous times come around again.

 

[singlestacksig]

I thought Indiana was doing okay financially. I read this as more of a Congress unwilling to approve Gov. Daniels budget.

Anything unusual in the budget? Any reason why they won't approve it?

that is the problem.. Indiana has $ and everyone wants to spend it for their pet project.. and they don't want to give..

 

[fullauto 45]

INDIANAPOLIS - Gov. Mitch Daniels said Friday that without a state budget nearly all state services will cease July 1, including parks, bureau of motor vehicles, casino gambling, highway construction and environmental inspections.

I didn't know the State owned the casinos. I thought they would just collect a butt load of tax from it!? WTF?

 

[singlestacksig]

I didn't know the State owned the casinos. I thought they would just collect a butt load of tax from it!? WTF?

The state has people on the gaming floor..
Without those people you can not gamble..

 

[Ashkelon]

There is no question the budget will pass. This is all political posturing on behalf of Daniels and Bauer. No one wants voted out and everyone like the nightly dinners at St. Elmos and Oceanaire during session. A miraculous deal will be reached on monday morning and each side will claim victory and thank the other for being willing to compromise.