Jill Long Thompson proposes committee to review Daniels' privatization contracts

from Hoosiers for Jill

As Indiana's families and economy continue to suffer as a result of the Daniels administration's numerous privatization schemes, today Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jill Long Thompson called for a formal review of all state contracts that privatized or outsourced state assets or services.

In a Statehouse news conference today, Long Thompson said, as Governor, she would appoint a bi-partisan committee of Hoosiers from the business, education, social service and government sectors to examine every contract and to evaluate the effectiveness of every privatized function and cost savings claims. Chaired by her running mate, Lieutenant Governor Nominee Dennie Oxley, the committee would also be responsible for making recommendations to her on continuing or canceling existing agreements.

"In his campaign four years ago, Mitch Daniels promised to keep our Indiana tax dollars here to create jobs for Hoosiers. However, as Governor he has done exactly the opposite, privatizing and outsourcing billions of dollars worth of work to foreign and out-of-state companies," said Long Thompson. "Mitch Daniels has repeatedly entered into long-term contracts without thinking about the impact on our citizens or the state's economy - and the results have been disastrous."

"Mitch Daniels' policies have short-changed taxpayers and compromised the safety, security and welfare of our citizens while the private companies that were awarded these contacts make huge profits off of our tax dollars," added Long Thompson. "I believe that money should stay right here in Indiana, and, as Governor, I will fight to make sure that finally happens."

Since taking office in January of 2005, Daniels has privatized or outsourced numerous state government responsibilities including the determination of welfare benefits, food stamps and Medicaid; the operation of a state prison; as well as various functions of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, the Department of Natural Resources, the Indiana State Police, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Indiana Department of Administration.

Daniels has also privatized state assets like the Indiana Toll Road, which he leased to a foreign consortium for 75-years, sold state land and has most recently touted plans to privatize the Hoosier Lottery.

"The Governor likes to tell us that privatization saves money or creates efficiencies - but to date, we've never seen any proof of that," said Oxley. "What we have seen is dismal upkeep of state property, poor customer service, unnecessary denial of essential services, a riot at the New Castle Prison and the federal government stepping in to halt the rollout of a privatized program."

"Clearly its time that Hoosiers take a serious look at these contracts and the performance of each of these vendors and that's what this group will do," added Oxley. "We will examine all of the contracts the Daniels administration has gotten us into and look for ways in which we can better hold these vendors accountable for the service, or for ways to cancel agreements that just don't make sense for the State of Indiana."

Long Thompson and Oxley also reiterated their earlier commitment to ban businesses from donating to political campaigns that do work with, or solicit work from, state or local governments. Governor Daniels has accepted contributions for ACS, the firm handling the Family and Social Services Agency contract.

"Dennie and I are going to take a "Hoosiers First" approach to managing the state," said Long Thompson. "That means we are going to work to create a government that includes everyone and works for everyone. That means we are going to use the resources of state government to create economic opportunities right here in Indiana. We are going to build a government whose main objective will be improving the lives of our citizens, instead of making a profit off the backs of working families."