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.

"Millionaires for Mitch"

Kudos to Jen Wagner:

Jill Long-Thompson on WTHR

For Fort Wayne residents who may have missed it, here's a WTHR-13 interview with Jill Long Thompson regarding her gubernatorial campaign. Hat Tip to Thomas:

So Far, So Good for Jill Long Thompson

Blue Indiana brings us recent polling data from WISH-TV showing that Long Thompson has a substantial early lead over the other two Democratic candidates in the Gubernatorial primary race.

Research 2000 -- (9/10 - 9/14)
Margin: +/- 3.5%
If the 2008 Democratic Primary for Governor were held today, which of the following candidates would you vote for?

Jill Long Thompson: 41%
Richard Young: 16%
Jim Schellinger: 10%
Undecided: 33%

There's no guarantee that these early numbers will hold as we get closer to primary day, but I would certainly rather be in Long Thompson's position at this point. Some discounted her candidacy because of her late entry into the race but I was very impressed with her message when she came through Fort Wayne to announce her candidacy:

I think she's going to be a good candidate as it sounds like she's going to run a populist campaign based around reforming our state tax structure and protecting Indiana jobs.

I know she's behind in the money-race but I wouldn't count her out as a populist message can be very powerful in this state...

I stand by that statement and I think we're going to have quite a primary race to determine who our next governor is...

Jill Long Thompson's Fort Wayne Announcement

I was at Jill's gubernatorial announcement today and there was a crowd of about 100 people that seemed very enthusiastic about her campaign. I think she's going to be a good candidate as it sounds like she's going to run a populist campaign based around reforming our state tax structure and protecting Indiana jobs.

I know she's behind in the money-race but I wouldn't count her out as a populist message can be very powerful in this state...