Changes

Daniels inherited a $645 million budget shortfall. In his first two years in office Daniels had taken successful (but some controversial) steps to improve the [[economy]]. He created the private Indiana Economic Development Corporation to replace a government-run agency, and created the state's first Office of Management and Budget. Within a year Indiana had it's first balanced budget in eight years and the state had an annual surplus of $370 million. In 2005, Daniels endorsed switching Indiana's central time zone to an eastern time zone, saying that businesses outside of the state couldn't keep track of what time it was in Indiana.<ref>http://www2.indystar.com/articles/5/207646-7265-253.html</ref>

Daniels inherited a $645 million budget shortfall. In his first two years in office Daniels had taken successful (but some controversial) steps to improve the [[economy]]. He created the private Indiana Economic Development Corporation to replace a government-run agency, and created the state's first Office of Management and Budget. Within a year Indiana had it's first balanced budget in eight years and the state had an annual surplus of $370 million. In 2005, Daniels endorsed switching Indiana's central time zone to an eastern time zone, saying that businesses outside of the state couldn't keep track of what time it was in Indiana.<ref>http://www2.indystar.com/articles/5/207646-7265-253.html</ref>

Daniels established the 10-year "major moves" transportation plan that privatized the Indiana Toll Road, the largest privatization of public infrastructure in United States history. Some of Daniels policies were rejected by the general assembly, such as a plan to privatize the Hoosier Lottery and a 1% increase in the sales tax in return for a cap on property taxes. Governor Daniels was easily reelected in 2008 by a 58%-40% margin, despite Democrat [[Barack Obama]] winning Indiana's 11 electoral votes in the presidential election. Some Republican leaders urged Daniels to run for the Presidency in 2012, although he remained reluctant. He was a vocal critic of the [[Obama administration]].<ref>http://www.redstate.com/erick/2009/11/18/is-this-the-pseudo-start-of-a-presidential-bid-for-mitch-daniels/</ref><ref>http://race42008.com/2009/11/21/gov-daniels-exposing-harry-reids-healthcare-bill/</ref>

Daniels established the 10-year "major moves" transportation plan that privatized the Indiana Toll Road, the largest privatization of public infrastructure in United States history. Some of Daniels policies were rejected by the general assembly, such as a plan to privatize the Hoosier Lottery and a 1% increase in the sales tax in return for a cap on property taxes. Governor Daniels was easily reelected in 2008 by a 58%-40% margin, despite Democrat [[Barack Obama]] winning Indiana's 11 electoral votes in the presidential election. Some Republican leaders urged Daniels to run for the Presidency in 2012, although he remained reluctant. He was a vocal critic of the [[Obama administration]].<ref>https://www.redstate.com/erick/2009/11/18/is-this-the-pseudo-start-of-a-presidential-bid-for-mitch-daniels/</ref><ref>http://race42008.com/2009/11/21/gov-daniels-exposing-harry-reids-healthcare-bill/</ref>

Daniels was succeeded as governor by Republican U.S. Representative [[Mike Pence]], who was subsequently elected [[Vice President of the United States|U.S. Vice President]] in the [[2016 U.S. presidential election|2016 election]]. Shortly before leaving office, Daniels signed a bill into law making Indiana a [[Right to Work]] state.

Daniels was succeeded as governor by Republican U.S. Representative [[Mike Pence]], who was subsequently elected [[Vice President of the United States|U.S. Vice President]] in the [[2016 U.S. presidential election|2016 election]]. Shortly before leaving office, Daniels signed a bill into law making Indiana a [[Right to Work]] state.