FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 26, 2006

 

LaPorte County leads state in job growth

Daniels must apologize for negative comments, set record straight

 

MICHIGAN CITY – LaPorte County Democrats today called on Gov. Mitch Daniels to set the record straight on negative comments he made last week about the area and its economic development record.

 

According to data from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, the Michigan City metropolitan statistical area, which covers LaPorte County, led the state in percentage job growth between August 2005 and August 2006. During that time period, the county added 800 jobs, a 1.7 percent total increase.

 

“Before the Governor comes up here and rips our part of the state, maybe he should check his own facts,” said State Rep. Scott Pelath (D-Michigan City).  “We outperformed the rest of Indiana, but all he can do is put us down because, like most Hoosiers, we disagreed with his decision to lease the Indiana Toll Road for 75 years.”

 

Daniels told LaPorte Mayor Leigh Morris last week that “[i]n most areas of the state, people are looking for constructive solutions. You don’t have that here.”

 

The Governor went on to label the county “anti-business” and “anti-growth.”

 

Pelath said the Governor routinely belittles parts of the state that disagree with him, and he believes Indiana doesn’t need a leader who only touts unquestioning followers to national and global investors.

 

“The numbers speak for themselves, but even if he chooses not to do his homework, any Governor should know better than to trash any part of our great state,” said LaPorte City Councilwoman and Indiana House candidate Andrea Renner. “We’re all in this as Hoosiers. We’re all in this together. His negative attitude doesn’t help anyone.”

 

For more information:

Scott Pelath, 219-861-7999

Andrea Renner, 219-448-1662

 

Paid for and authorized by Hoosiers for Scott Pelath and Renner for District 20