Pence talks future as governor

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - On Monday, former Congressman Mike Pence becomes Indiana's 50th Governor.  His experience as a legislator is likely to influence his work as a leader.

During a visit to WISH-TV, Pence said "I really believe in the collaborative process between the executive branch and the legislative branch."  He also said he hopes, "my colleagues in the General Assembly will always sense the deep respect that I have for their franchise, for their input and their counsel."

Pence, a reliably conservative member of Congress, will lead an administration with fellow Republicans controlling the Indiana Senate and the state's House of Representatives. 

But, that doesn't assure agreement on every issue. 

"I wouldn't presume on that at all," he said. "Legislators have earned the right to advance the ideas that they were elected to advance. And, we're going to do everything we can to bring forward the ideas that we ran on in our Roadmap for Indiana."

The Roadmap was the Pence campaign platform.  A 10 percent cut in the state income tax is an essential element of his promise to voters.  He calls it "the most effective way to get this economy moving again." 

But, some of his fellow Republicans have been lukewarm about the concept. 

Pence told 24-Hour News 8, "We’ve begun conversations with leaders and members of the General Assembly. I welcome it."

At the same time, he says he's determined to follow through on his promises. 

"I think, at the end of the day, it's going to be incumbent on our administration to carry these ideas to the people of Indiana, to their elected representatives, and to make the case for staying on the course of fiscal responsibility and the kind of pro-growth tax reform, regulatory reform and policies that'll really seize this moment in the life of our state."

Pence said he intends to on the "unusual amount of common sense and common wisdom" that's found in the Hoosier State. 

"As Governor, I want to draw on all of that.  I want our administration to reflect priorities and focus and energy and enthusiasm.  But I always think humility is the right order of the day and will always seek to reflect that in the way that we listen and learn from other leaders – both at the Statehouse and around the state of Indiana."