Once more unto the breach

INDIANAPOLIS | Gov. Mitch Daniels is poised to finish his second and final term as governor this year with a budget surplus, an unparalleled record of reform and achievements Hoosiers will celebrate for decades to come.

But all that could be forgotten in the bitter fight over right-to-work legislation that already has stirred up trouble this year in a legislative session that's only five days old, and led House Democrats last year to boycott session for five weeks. Unlike 2011, when the Republican governor urged lawmakers to focus on other issues, Daniels has wholeheartedly embraced right-to-work in 2012 as way to bring more jobs to Indiana.

The Times sat with the governor for an hourlong interview in December. Excerpts of the governor's thoughts on a variety of subjects are presented here. Responses have been edited for space.

On right-to-work:

"I didn't rush to this judgment, and I only came to it because of the way in which it has been costing us job opportunities that I know we can capture. Jobs and growth have been our priorities every year, and to the extent that this is all about that subject, yes it's a high priority."

"The supporters of the status quo — which is to say compulsory dues, and you know that's all this is about — are a small minority in the state. ... But obviously there's a lot of conviction and passion on the part of the minority, and they're entitled to that. I respect it. I hope that passion, however, respects in turn our system of representative government."

On local government reform:

"We've made some headway on it, but it was a disappointment in 2011. I've had some good conversations with legislators, and I'm optimistic on maybe three or four fronts: nepotism, conflict-of-interest, quite possibly township boards and, on a county-option basis, possibly the opportunity to go to a single county commissioner, along with a strengthened county council.

"I've always believed, and the experience of the last three years has shown, that this is going to have to be incremental progress. I just want it to be continuing progress, and I do think we can make some this time."

On an indoor smoking ban:

"I think it's time for a statewide smoking ban. I think both the evidence and the public opinion have moved. I've been talking to a lot of legislators, and I think really, probably, the time is here."

On a mass transit funding referendum:

"I don't know how I'd vote on one as a citizen, but the idea of allowing the advocates to have their opportunity to make a case to their fellow citizens in a referendum, I think, has merit."

On last year's education reforms:

"It means nothing until it's implemented effectively. Until we actually see that teachers are being fairly evaluated, in large part — not entirely — but in large part on whether the kids are learning, that the teachers who are helping kids the most are being protected and promoted and paid more, that it's not just seniority, that reform won't be more than words on paper."

On his legacy:

"I'm disciplining myself not to think much about it. ... I don't think thinking about memories and legacies is a good way to use my days."