Governor talks budget, gambling

ALBION, IND (WANE) - Time is ticking for the Special Session for Indiana lawmakers.

The Special Session started June 11th, and has had its share of tense moments. Republicans and Democrats are charged with the task of passing a two year budget. If they don't, the Governor says to expect the same budget we're using now.

"We're not going to have one of those government shut-downs. If that's Speaker Bauer's game, he better think harder about it. If necessary, we will run this government under the budget of today, we'll simply ask them to renew it, but that would be a default of responsibility," Governor Mitch Daniels said Wednesday in Albion.

The governor has been outspoken about the budget, saying he didn't want excessive spending, nor did he want to tap into a rainy day fund. He says those moves would put Indiana on a slippery slope.

"We could throw it all away in a moment of recklessness and we would look like all those other states, Michigan, California, and everywhere," the Governor said.

Meanwhile, the issue of gambling in Fort Wayne -- more specifically, a downtown casino -- continues to be pursued by city leaders, despite the move appearing to be nothing more than a shot in the dark.

"Leader Long has said and I do support this, and that is that they are there for one purpose and that's to get a budget that protects tax payers and protects Indiana's condition as one of the few solvent states in America. So I think this is something better studied over the summer and visited next year," Governor Daniels said.

Talk is also growing that My Man Mitch could become My President Mitch, but the Governor is quick to shoot down those claims.

"My attitude is that they must be at the bottom of the barrel! The pickings must be pretty slim. It's really interesting in a way to see. If it draws more attention to Indiana and we might be able to turn it into some new jobs at some point, that'd be fine," Governor Daniels said.

The special session ends June 30.