INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A national magazine has named Governor Mitch
Daniels one of the top eight public officials in the country.

"Governing" magazine praises Daniels for getting infrastructure and health care legislation passed and putting Indiana government on strong financial ground.

It says the Republican governor has shown creativity that is needed in public officials, mentioning the lease of the Indiana Toll Road in exchange for an upfront payment of $3.8 billion that is being used to fund highway and other transportation projects.

Daniels also won legislation that increased cigarette taxes, with the money used to fund a new program that is providing health insurance to more low-income residents. His Democratic challenger, Jill Long Thompson, has criticized the Toll Road lease and other privatization moves.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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