Jill 2008: Jill Long Thompson for Governor

INDIANAPOLIS - In another sign of their commitment to all citizens and communities, and in conjunction with the start of Indiana Black Expo, today Jill Long Thompson and Dennie Oxley announced a series of initiatives designed to more fully engage all citizens in Indiana's economic future.

"Both Dennie and I strongly believe that every community and every citizen matters - and that all Hoosiers should have the opportunity to fulfill their God-given potential," said Long Thompson. "The challenges we face are too great to not maximize the diverse talents of all our citizens.  However, today in Indiana too many people and places are being left out and left behind - and that must change."

"To rebuild this economy and restore the promise that Indiana once held for all of our citizens, everyone must have a seat at the table," added Long Thompson. "As Governor, I will work to ensure all people are actively engaged in Indiana's progress and I will work to ensure our government better reflects the people it represents."

As Indiana's next Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Long Thompson and Oxley will institute the following reforms:

• Expand the responsibilities of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. 

As Governor, Long Thompson will expand the charge of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) and direct it to work with organizations that focus on: preventing teenage pregnancies, parenting skills, reducing the high school dropout rate and lowering the rate of recidivism in Indiana communities.  Long Thompson will also create a statewide Board of Faith and Community Partnerships to advise the office and her administration on these matters.

Currently, the office focuses on providing information, technical assistance and limited grant funding to both community based and faith-based organizations. 

• Align Indiana's voter identification law with federal standards.

To ensure that all Hoosiers have access to the ballot, while preventing voter fraud, as Governor, Long Thompson will seek to align state and federal voter identification laws.  Under her plan, the state would adopt the federal standards put in place by the "National Voter Registration Act of 1993." In addition to the currently accepted forms of identification, this change would allow Hoosiers to use a utility bill, bank statement, government check, current paycheck or other government documents showing the name and address of the voter as proof of identification.

• Strengthen the Indiana Civil Rights Commission.

The Long Thompson-Oxley administration will give the Indiana Civil Rights Commission powers to investigate, remedy cases and work with local authorities to pursue prosecutions in cases of discrimination. Currently the agency only refers complaints to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 

• Increase internet connectivity and access in urban centers.

A central component of their "Re-invest in Indiana" economic plan, Long Thompson and Oxley will work to bring broadband and high-speed internet connectivity to every community - with a priority on urban settings currently underserved.

"We cannot continue to ignore people or the problems they face," added Oxley. "From the mortgage crisis, the debacle with FSSA's privatization, to the high price of food and fuel, Governor Daniels has continued to neglect the very people he was elected to serve."

"To move this state forward we must take off the rose colored glasses, tear down the barriers to opportunity and inclusion and openly and honestly address the challenges our communities - both rural and urban - are facing," added Oxley. "Jill Long Thompson has taken that approach her entire career - and that's why we need her as our next Governor."

Demonstrating Long Thompson's and Oxley's commitment to engaging every Indiana community, earlier this year the Democratic team released their economic plan, called "Reinvest in Indiana." The plan calls for revamping the state's tax structure, changing state law to allow businesses and individuals to pool together to buy health insurance in bulk, addressing the state's high school dropout rate by reforming the state's education policy and bringing broadband connectivity to all corners of the state.

To grow the economy in struggling areas, they have also proposed an "Economic Tiers" program to direct economic investment in the state's struggling counties. Under the Long Thompson- Oxley plan, the state's 92 counties would be categorized into three different tiers with the state's economic development dollars allocated accordingly. The tiers, which would be updated regularly, would be determined by a county's unemployment rate, median household income, population growth and assessed property value per capita.

Known for her ability to get things done, Jill Long Thompson is an accomplished public servant. She has served as a city councilor, a Congresswoman and as Under Secretary for Rural Development at the United States Department of Agriculture. Long Thompson grew up on her family's farm in rural Whitley County and was the first in her family to go to college. She received her undergraduate degree from Valparaiso University and went on to earn a master's and Ph.D. in business from Indiana University.  A farmer and college professor by trade, Long Thompson lives with her husband Don Thompson, a commercial airline pilot, on their farm in Marshall County.

Dennie Oxley is a 10-year veteran of the state legislature, currently serving as the Majority Whip in the Indiana House of Representatives. A former high school math teacher, school administrator and businessman, Oxley brings a wealth of public and private sector experience to the team. Oxley is a graduate of Indiana University Southeast, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in education. A lifelong resident of English, a small community in Crawford County, he resides there with his wife, Jayme, and their two young daughters.

For more information about Jill Long Thompson, Dennie Oxley or their campaign to restore Indiana's promise, please visit www.hoosiersforjill.com or call 317-635-Jill.