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Wednesday, December 08, 2004

Indiana Government - More this morning on Daniels' appointments

This Indianapolis Star has a front page story this morning, bylined by Mary Beth Schneider and Tim Evans, on Gov.-elect Daniels' appointment yesterday of Mitch Roob to head the troubled FSSA. Some quotes:

E. Mitchell "Mitch" Roob Jr., 43, known as a smart, tough administrator, helped reorganize city departments while working for then-Mayor Stephen Goldsmith and later shook up the Marion County Health and Hospital Corp. That agency oversees Wishard Memorial Hospital, whose patients include the city's poorest, and the Marion County Health Department.

Daniels said Roob "is deeply committed to the interests of the least fortunate among us and equally committed to getting the most service from every tax dollar." * * *

Indiana faces an $800 million budget deficit. And like most states, it struggles with rising costs for Medicaid, the national health care program for the poor. Roob said his most immediate challenge would be the Medicaid issue. The second challenge, he said, would be improving child protection services.

The Star also has an Andrea Neal opinion-piece this morning on Daniels' appointment of Joel Silverman to head the BMV. A quote:
No appointment in the administration of Gov.-elect Mitch Daniels carries as much symbolic significance as Silverman's. That's because no department of state government is as much a part of our daily lives. If you're one of the 5.5 million who own or operate a vehicle in Indiana, you have to deal with the BMV.

By appointing the former president and CEO of Galyans to the post, Daniels has implemented a policy change before taking office. He has told citizens that the BMV will not be a government bureaucracy known for long lines and bad service, but a retail business that exists to satisfy customers and shareholders -- in this case, taxpayers.

Updated Organization Chart. Here is my updated organization chart of Daniels' appointments, so far.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on December 8, 2004 07:41 AM
Posted to Indiana Government