GUEST COMMENTARY: Grads can transform uncertain world

Purdue is known for the pioneers and adventurers it produces, those whose sense of wonder has led them to frontiers of new knowledge, across our planet and beyond it. But even a Nobel Laureate or an astronaut could not surpass by much the curiosity of a newly minted college graduate: I wonde…

GUEST COMMENTARY: Welfare privatization critics need to modernize talking points

For years, our administration has sat silently through frequent criticism of our initial attempt to repair and reform Indiana's welfare system. Much of the criticism was sincere and accurate, much was simply crude politics. But even when it crossed the line into inaccuracy, we endured it wit…

GUEST COMMENTARY: NWI is isolated from rest of Indiana

I appreciate The Times offering me a fifth annual opportunity to write a special message about this special corner of Indiana in which the paper and its readers live. This is the only newspaper or place in the state where I prepare a particular New Year statement, but that's entirely appropriate.

Mitch Daniels: Northwest Indiana must seize this golden opportunity

If an Illinois exodus is under way, Northwest Indiana must be ready to capitalize.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Government for Internet Age, not frontier days

It's an unfortunate irony that Indiana, with our well-deserved reputation for keeping government lean and accountable, is awash in elected officials and layers of local administration.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Time for emergency economic reform in Washington

Ronald Reagan enjoyed telling of the elderly Blitz victim rescued from her demolished London flat in World War II. A fireman found a bottle of brandy under the ruins of her staircase and offered her a nip for her pain. "Leave it right there," the matron ordered. "That's for emergencies."

Astronaut lands on governor's wall

This portrait of astronaut Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom, an Indiana native, was hung Friday on the wall of the governor's office in the Statehouse. The portrait is on loan from the Grissom Memorial Museum in Spring Mill State Park, near Grissom's hometown of Mitchell, Ind.

Responsibility for effecting change rests in hands of NWI residents

The past two years, The Times of Northwest Indiana has graciously offered me this space to say a few words about our state. This gives me a welcome opportunity to reiterate how important I believe the Northwest region is to Indiana's overall success.

Gov. Mitch Daniels: Changes will ease burden on NWI taxpayers

As we work to keep Indiana moving forward, Northwest Indiana is always on my mind. We've taken a number of steps to enhance the growth potential of the region, and more is within our reach if we work together to challenge old assumptions and the status quo.

Legislators must side with taxpayers, not tax spenders

We are close to a huge breakthrough in delivering permanent property tax relief for Hoosier homeowners. I hope that, in the next week or so, I will be able to sign legislation that cuts property taxes sharply and protects against future unfair increases by capping them forever, while address…

Taxpayers benefit when government contracts with private businesses

This week, after two years of study, competition and negotiation, I signed a contract to reform Indiana's welfare system. Although this proposal has been under constant attack for weeks, it is one of the most straightforward and obvious decisions our administration has faced. Here's why.

Daniels announces state support for Bass Pro deal

The Springfield, Mo.-based retailer is widely known to attract additional service industry businesses wherever a store is located and, officials say, would mean a significant increase in investment for Northwest Indiana.