EDITORIAL: Missed opportunities; missing Democrats

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels' final State of the State address was full of concern for the Hoosier Holy Land but absent any mention of Northwest Indiana and the other corners of the state. Hey, don't forget us!

Daniels urged the passage of a statewide ban on smoking in public, the longtime crusade of state Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, despite not mentioning Brown. We agree with the need to pass this smoking ban, but would it have been so difficult to give Brown credit for his perseverance?

The governor also urged additional funding for victims of the Indiana State Fair without mentioning any of the seven victims, including Tammy VanDam, 42, of Wanatah.

The governor urged passage of local government reform without mentioning that Lake County is often seen as the poster child for reform. He easily could have offered an illustration from Lake County for any of the remaining necessary reforms.

Daniels referred to the state's successes and plans for building roads and bridges, yet he omitted any mention of the need to deal with the Cline Avenue Bridge. He missed a perfect opportunity to show his administration's commitment to resolving this festering wound in Northwest Indiana's transportation system.

Daniels urged approving legislation for central Indiana mass transit but made no mention of transit needs elsewhere in the state. Northwest Indiana is facing a transit funding meltdown and urgently needs a solution. The failure to expand the scope of Daniels' mention beyond the Hoosier Holy Land is another missed opportunity for the governor and for Northwest Indiana.

Finally, shame on the House Democrats who boycotted the speech. It was an act of disrespect that reflected badly on the state as well as them.