Pence buys a new home, holds job fair, lauds state surplus

By Rick Yencer

 MUNCIE, IN - Congressman Mike Pence and his family have a new home in nearby McCordsville, after selling their residence in Arlington, Va. in May.

 The move this week was obvious to Pence's old neighbors in Columbus where his family home is located and his new neighbors in McCordsville, according to Pence campaign spokesman Christy Denault, so Pence decided to make it transparent to all.

 The new home near Indianapolis and his campaign operation in Carmel was both personal and professional, given Pence is on the road more often with the campaign. and he won't be a congressman much longer.

 Denault said recent residential challenges with other candidates did not enter into the decision. Pence always maintained a residence in Columbus and the new home is still in the 6th congressional district that includes Muncie.

 U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, R-IN got bogged down in a residency fight last spring as did former Congressman David McIntosh who wanted to return to the U.S. House. Both lost in the primary,.

 Pence will be in Muncie later this month at the 6th district congressional job fair at 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 17 in Worthen Arena on the Ball State University campus.More than 30 employers will be around including Brevini, Progress Rail, Sallie Mae and others. Last year, less than half the job seekers came that showed up in 2010.

 The congressman also faces a test of his job creating skills with a vote coming up on the Bring Jobs Home Act that rewards companies for keeping work in the country while punishing those who take their production out of the United States.

 Job numbers released Friday were not good and showed the economy remains stagnant. The national unemployment rate was 8.2 percent and only 80,000 new jobs were created in June. That constant unemployment shows many have dropped off the unemployment rolls, and those still receiving benefits found their unemployment reduced from a law passed by the Indiana General Assembly last year that gave a break to employers and reduced unemployment to laid off workers.

 Pence, who wants to be Indiana's next governor, also lauded Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels this week for a $2 billion state budget surplus that was revealed. That came after Daniels could not account for a half a billion dollars in revenue last winter that was caused by computer and accounting problems.

 Daniels immediately rolled out a promise of a $100 tax credit for individuals and $200 for families who pay taxes in 2013. Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg called Daniels' news another magic trick that continues to play with state finances.