Creating jobs to keep college students in Indiana and improving the quality of state license branches are among Indiana's top issues this year, an Indiana republican gubernatorial candidate said Wednesday afternoon.
Eric Miller, who is running against republican candidate Mitch Daniels and democratic candidate Governor Joe Kernan in this year's state elections, addressed these and other topics in preparation for the May 4 primaries.
"For 23 years, I've crisscrossed the state to hear Hoosiers' hopes and dreams, and I want to lead the state in a way that will help your family and your future," Miller said.
Miller emphasized the need to improve Indiana's economy, as the state has ranked number one in the number of jobs lost, personal bankruptcies and property tax increases. Indiana also ranked last in the creation of jobs, resulting in the state's "brain drain," Miller said.
Seventy-five percent of students in science, math and technology leave Indiana because they can't find a job, he said.
Miller said the government has to look long-term to create a working relationship with universities, K-12 education, state and local government, and business leaders.
"This will create the atmosphere for creative people to create those jobs," he said. "If we have an exodus of the best of our students, then our community is hurt."
Miller said the quality of license branches is also an issue in the state, as there are only 168 of them in Indiana.
He proposed that car and motorcycle dealerships process license plates and registrations when a new vehicle is bought rather than having the license branches process them.
"This could save one million people from trips to the license branch," Miller said. "And this frees those at the branch so they can enhance the visit of their other customers. This improves the quality of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles."
Miller said Indiana must also stop excessive state spending, which has increased by more than 50 percent in the past eight years, thus causing the deficit the state has.
The state has been broke for a long time, Miller said.
"We must rein in state spending," he said. "We're not talking about tax cuts, about doing it on the cheap. We're talking about doing it smarter and better," he said.
As he spoke to about 50 Ball State students and Muncie residents at the Miller College of Business, Miller said his administration's experience and quality in leadership sets it apart from those of his two opponents.
Otis R. Bowen, Miller's chairman and a past Indiana governor, is arguably the most respected leader, Miller said.
Miller said he also has a proven track record of bringing people together, which he did when he founded Advance America-Indiana's largest pro-family, pro-tax reform organization of 500,000 people - more than 22 years ago.
Miller said he also has more experience than any other candidate in working with the Indiana General Assembly to get legislations passed and to make changes.
"A governor can propose plans, but if you can't get them through the General Assembly, then you're not going to do anything," Miller said.
Miller said his connection with the General Assembly will affect positive changes in Indiana.
"I urge students to get involved, to know where the candidates stand," he said. "The future of this state rests on you."
Muncie resident Roy Haney, who said he has known Miller for more than 20 years and belongs to Advance America, said the presentation was good.
"Miller has a positive approach to things and addresses issues well," Haney said. "He's not just blowing the wind - this is the way he's lived by. He knows things that need to be done to get things turned around."
Haney said the Miller administration is also putting together a new program at Ball State where students can campaign on campus.
Senior Jonathan Lamb, economic major, said Miller had a few good ideas, such as improving license branches. However, he was vague on some of the issues and didn't present the argument very well, Lamb said.
"It was good to hear the other side, though," Lamb said. "I learned his views,m and now I can make a better decision when I go to vote. It's time for a change."
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