Gov. Daniels looks to grow the govt

A nice piece by Debbie Harbeson in the Jeff/NA News-Tribune on "two planned DNR projects to purchase land for conservation purposes"...

Now, you would think a small-government politician would never brag about converting private property to government property. But such principles disappear...when a politician sees that he can use something to his advantage...

The federal government is also involved in this and since it works for this particular PR purpose, Daniels is fine with it. That’s why one day you see him angry because the federal government is sticking its nose in his state’s health care business and the next day he’s happy because the feds want to help his state take over private property...

...more questions when Nick Heinzelman, director of land acquisition for the state Department of Natural Resources expanded on this in the Indianapolis Star, saying, “This will all come from voluntary sellers. Some will want to sell now; others may wait,” Heinzelman said. “Any land that comes up for sale, we’ll be there to buy it right away.”

What does that mean? What if a private citizen would also like to purchase the property? Will he have a chance or is there already some government provision that says the government is the only one allowed to purchase any land that comes up for sale that falls inside the border of this project? And what about future costs on upkeep, liability and usage control?...