Governor's Weekly Wrap-up

Press Release

Governor's Weekly Wrap-up

April 28, 2007

Governor Mitch Daniels was joined by Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Judy Monroe and Pam Smith, participant on NBC's "The Biggest Loser" for
the INShape Indiana 10 in 10 Challenge recognition event held at White River State Park. The governor honored volunteers and participants with success
stories from the INShape Indiana 10 in 10 Challenge.

"Nothing comes as better news than to run into people who say
they are now determined to leave cigarettes or some pounds behind them," said Governor Daniels. "That has been true everywhere I've visited in the recent weeks."

In January, the governor challenged participants to lose 10 pounds in 10 weeks by making changes in diet and exercise. More than 40,000 individuals participated in the challenge with an average weight loss of 7 1/4 pounds. Nearly 32 percent of participants who reported their progress lost 10 pounds or more.

"The health plan passed last night can fairly be described as the most important health care legislation of our lifetimes. I have asked a host of people whether they can think of a better example and nobody has," said Daniels. "I am excited about the passage of the plan and what it can mean
for uninsured Hoosiers and for low-income children, and, of course, to try to bring down the second-highest smoking rate in America."

Governor Daniels commended every member of the General Assembly, which
concluded its work Sunday, for bringing another session of dramatic change and progress for Indiana.

Indiana lawmakers approved funding for the governor's plan for a healthier Indiana by increasing the cigarette tax by 44 cents. The health plan will provide health insurance coverage for uninsured Hoosiers, reduce smoking rates and immunize more Indiana children.

Governor's innovative health plan passes General Assembly

Governor Mitch Daniels hit the road this week making another major economic
development announcement for the state as well as making several other stops.

In Crown Point, Governor Daniels announced to a crowd at Old Lake Courthouse that Plasmatronics, LLC, a national leader in performance ignition systems, has chosen to locate its new manufacturing and research center here, creating more than 220 jobs and $2.1 million in capital investment to the state.

"Plasmatronics heard our message that Northwest Indiana is a great location to grow its business, and that these are the kind of jobs- high-paying and high value-added- that Indiana is out to host.

Here's more proof that Northwest Indiana can compete for the best jobs of
tomorrow," said Governor Daniels. The company will manufacture its new
Plasma Drive Ignition systems for automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, scientific
and industrial applications at an existing 9,000 square-foot facility in Crown Point. The governor finished the day with stops in Brownsburg and Monrovia. In Brownsburg, the governor participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the new $17.4 million interchange at I-74 and the Ronald Reagan Parkway in Hendricks County. When completed, the interchange will greatly
expand economic development opportunities by providing access to the Indianapolis International Airport, Ameriplex, Conrail Railroad, Raceway Park and other industrial, commercial and residential areas.

At the Monrovia Christian Church, the governor gave the keynote address at the Morgan County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner. The governor told attendees that the attitude toward state government in Indiana has changed and encouraged everyone to spread optimism: "We can be better than we are today," Daniels said. "If you stand still, you will be passed by...I want you to be contagious with optimism...try to inject others with our optimism for the state."

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