Schellinger releases jobs plan

It's time to pick up Indiana

Today, Jim Schellinger released his Pick Up Indiana Jobs Plan - the centerpiece of his plan to grow Indiana’s economy intelligently and quickly.

As a Hoosier who helped build a successful small business, I know three things grow the economy and return/attract businesses in the long-term: a world-class education system, a well-trained workforce and an attractive quality of life.

As Governor, my number one priority will be to rebuild Indiana’s education system that will lead to a well- skilled and vibrant Hoosier workforce that will then have the skills they need to earn a good-paying job. Public schools and the men and women who teach our children should not be ridiculed for the work they do. Parents and communities should be empowered and students encouraged to succeed.

Education alone however will not be enough. We must maintain and improve the quality of life in Indiana so that Hoosiers will want to work here and then stay and raise their families here. To accomplish this we must recognize how everything is connected to everything – education, jobs, health care, the environment and the way government operates. To address one without understanding the impact and importance of others will only hinder our progress.

We need leadership that creates positive changes for every issue we face today. And that is why, as Governor, I will never push one of these issues to the back burner.