Indiana Unemployment Hits 16 Year High

Indianapolis, Ind. - In the midst of the worst financial crisis in this country since the Great Depression, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) today announced that unemployment rose yet again in Indiana to 6.4 percent, much higher than the national average.

In many of the hardest-hit areas of the state, unemployment rates are even higher, hitting unprecedented levels not seen in the state in the last 16 years. While Mitch Daniels sits idly by, Hoosiers are worried about their mortgages, keeping their jobs, and making sure their savings and retirement funds are secure.

"Apparently, the only thing that will climb higher under the failed policies of Mitch Daniels is unemployment. While good jobs are being sent overseas, honest Hoosiers are struggling at the hands of Daniels' ineffectual leadership," said Dan Parker, State Chair of the Indiana Democratic Party.

Indiana had the 5th-worst decline in employment compared to just one year ago. More disturbing, under the Daniels Administration, unemployment has increased by 16 percent.

"Mitch Daniels is full of empty talking points but no action. He has had four years to better the lives of Hoosier families, but his policies have resulted in the economic crisis Indiana is seeing today. We need a plan for Indiana to spur economic progress and bring relief to our state, but Mitch Daniels has been so out of touch for so long that he hasn't even recognized the dire situation we are all in, let alone offered a plan," said Parker.

Linda Pence Calls for Gas Price Investigation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wed., Sept. 17, 2008 Contact: Joel Miller (317)-750-5757

LINDA PENCE CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO HIGH GAS PRICES

Hard-Working Hoosiers Deserve An Attorney General Who Will Advocate For Them

Indianapolis, Ind. - Today, Linda Pence, candidate for Attorney General, held a press conference to call attention to the skyrocketing price of gas. In Indiana, the average price of gasoline hit $4.17, marking a sudden and across-the-board increase in the state. Indiana is paying higher prices than 44 other states, but no one is currently investigating why. "When Hoosier families are wondering about the sudden and uniform increase, it is the responsibility of the Attorney General to look into the matter and demand an answer. The people of Indiana need someone who will advocate for their interests, and not roll over for Big Oil," said Linda Pence, candidate for Attorney General. Right now, the Attorney General's office touts a gas price-gouging hotline. However, when a constituent called the number, the message merely stated: "Thank you for calling the gas-gouging line. We want to let you know that we can only pursue gas gouging complaints when the governor declares a state of emergency. The governor has not yet declared a state of emergency, but we want to go ahead and collect your information. Please remain on the line for a representative, and thank you."

Linda Pence knows the Attorney General should do more, and stated today that she would "take a more aggressive and vocal role to investigate price gouging, price fixing and potential anti-trust violations." Leaving an innocuous outgoing message is not action; it is not the solution or answer Hoosiers deserve. They deserve a person of action; not simply empty words and rhetoric. While at the U.S. Department of Justice, Pence fought oil companies over oil pricing. She has a history of standing up for honest, hardworking Hoosiers in the face of Big Oil and the special interests. She believes it is not the job of the Attorney General to make excuses; it is the job of the Attorney General not to turn a blind eye to Big Oil. Rather in this situation, the Attorney General should actively investigate them with a robust, proactive agenda that will ensure consumers are protected.

If Pence were attorney general today, she would launch a serious investigation into the pricing practices of gasoline in Indiana. She would publicly pursue complaints in order to deter oil companies from trying to reap more money at the expense of Hoosiers. She calls on the Attorney General's office to report to the people of Indiana what they have done to ensure that the Hoosiers are protected and not being treated differently than any other state in the country, and make known what--if any--lawsuits have been filed. "Price gouging is good for the oil companies, but bad for all of us. This is all happening at a time when the oil companies are reaping record profits, but Hoosiers are paying record prices at the pump," said Pence. ###

"It's Over"

Barack is finally going on the attack:

"Millionaires for Mitch"

Kudos to Jen Wagner:

Barry Welsh on the Delaware County Election Board Hearing

From Barry:

Today I attended a meeting of the Delaware County Election Board in support of all Ball State Students; the board's purpose was to explore the idea of opening an early voting center on the Ball State University Campus. Clearly, from the input given, the overwhelming majority of those attending this meeting were in favor of establishing such a center. The Board was informed that almost every other major University in Indiana had already established such centers. Testimony from University officials and Student Government representatives indicated they not only endorse the idea but they are also willing to offer financial logistical support. This is an idea whose time has come. The Election Board has scheduled another meeting on Wednesday September 17, at 1pm to answer questions that one board member had, and to give consideration to establishing a voting center on campus that would help students and serve as a pilot for possible additional centers around Delaware County. This is a bipartisan issue and so today I am inviting my fellow Congressional Candidates, Mr. Mike Pence and Mr. George Holland, and our two Gubernatorial Candidates, Jill Long-Thompson and Mitch Daniels, along with any Elected Official from State and Local government to join with me in attending next weeks meeting, or to send a letter to support this very bold imitative. Our young people are our future, and we need to support their efforts.

Barry Welsh

In addition, Barry faxed the following letter to Mike Pence:

Honorable Congressman Pence,

I am writing to ask you to join me in a bipartisan effort to benefit a community in our district. I am speaking of the area in and around Ball State University.

While we disagree on many issues, I hope that we share the same belief in the fundamental right of voting. The Delaware County Election Board is voting next Wednesday at 1 PM on placement of an early voting center on the campus of Ball State University. I hope you can join me or send a letter of support.

I believe that we should make voting as accessible as possible and especially to communities such as our State Universities out of which come the leaders, and elected officials of tomorrow. Ball State University should be allowed to join the other leading universities in Indiana which already successfully operate early voting centers. I trust you will agree.

The President of Ball State University supports this effort and has offered space and financial contributions. The Presidents of The Ball State Republicans and Democrats are supporting this in a bipartisan manner, and I am asking you, Congressman, to join me in following their example. The only reason to deny such a proposal would be playing party politics, and the future is too important for that. Voting should be a habit and we can make that happen by not allowing Voting to be a hassle.

Please join me in supporting this move to the future for the future.

Sincerely,

Barry Welsh

6^th District Democratic Candidate for United States Congress

Welsh to Represent BSU Students Tomorrow

Sixth District United States Congressional Candidate Barry Welsh is scheduled to appear before the Delaware County Election Board this Tuesday afternoon. Welsh appeared before the same board in April at the request of Ball State University students who were concerned that voter registrations would not be processed. Welsh comes before the Election Board once again on behalf of the Ball State Students and this time it is to request an early voting station on campus and relocating the precinct polling place for the November 4^th general election.

"We should work to make voting more accessible to everyone. Since we have been under the Bush administration we have seen restrictions placed and people turned away. I plan to work to reverse that and make it as simple and convenient as possible to vote and I am starting with the Ball State Students." Welsh, who has requested a top level staff member from the Obama campaign to join him at the meeting, also said, "We are dealing with college students, and this will be the first time voting for many of them. We should make every effort to take as little time as necessary from these students who are juggling classes, studies, and work. If it is a good experience, they will be voters for life and our goal should be to make voting a habit not a hassle."

Welsh is challenging Mike Pence for a second time.

To schedule an interview with The Candidate, please call Peter Nelson at 765-465-7020

Are You Better Off?

. . .than you were 8 years ago?

Help Barry Welsh!

Today's the first day of a week-long Blue America contest, that we'd like to invite you to participate in. Some of our candidates have been endorsed by the DCCC's Red to Blue program, which makes it easier for them to access institutional Democratic money-- big donors, labor unions, single-issue groups, incumbents, etc. And some haven't. Blue America wants to spotlight nine of our House endorsees this week who may eventually wind up in the program but who need campaign cash to compete effectively now. These are the nine:

Sam Bennett (PA-15)- Lehigh Valley
Debbie Cook (CA-46)- Orange County
Larry Joe Doherty (TX-10)- northern Austin to Brenham and Katy
Alan Grayson (FL-08)- Orlando
Jared Polis (CO-02)- Boulder and Westminster out to Eagle County
Dennis Shulman (NJ-05)- northern New Jersey from Bergen and Passaic around to Warren County
Annette Taddeo (FL-18)- Miami-Dade from Miami Beach and Coral Gables down to Key West
Russ Warner (CA-26)- northeast L.A. suburbans from Rancho Cucamonga to Arcadia
Barry Welsh- (IN-06) east central Indiana centered on Muncie

Here is the link to vote for Barry Welsh:

http://www.actblue.com/page/blueamericacontest

Whether you donate a dollar or $20 or $2,000 to the candidate, of your choice, it counts as one vote-- although you can certainly vote for as many candidates as you'd like. The candidate who gets the most votes gets a $5,000 Blue America check. The winner will be announced on Saturday, September 6th. We'll be trying to gin up as much excitement as we can all week, we're hoping Linda Sanchez comes through by agreeing to do a live event in the winner's district and have challenged Emanuel, Hoyer, Wasserman-Schultz, and Van Hollen-- to each match Blue America's $5,000 contribution to the winner.