Klinker divided on Daniels' proposal

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Representative Sheila Klinker (D-27) says she personally opposed a proposal that would prevent a repeat of Purdue's hiring of Mitch Daniels as its president while he was still governor. But she says she still voted for it.

The House proposal would have required a governor to be out of office for a year before being appointed president of a state university. The House voted down Democratic Leader Scott Pelath's proposal, 65-28.

Although Klinker cast one of the 28 votes Thursday, she told News 18 she's pleased it failed. She says Pelath's proposal was an amendment to a bill choosing Wabash College trustees and had nothing to do with Purdue. She thinks it was a move to try and prove a point about how lawmakers can't lobby for a year after they leave office.

"Even though we know that legislation has deterred our legislators from working right away out in the halls, this was a different situation with President Daniels," Klinker says.

Klinker says, as her position in the House as Assistant Caucus Whip, she decided to vote for it.

Daniels told News 18 Thursday night he has no comment on the proposal.