Palin plans two events in Indiana

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is planning to use money raised through her political action committee to attend two events in Indiana in mid-April, her first trip outside the state on a partisan agenda since returning from the presidential campaign.

SarahPAC put out a request for donations Wednesday with a message that Palin would soon be traveling the country and working to support leaders who share her conservative values.

PAC spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton said committee staff is sifting through thousands of invitations for Palin and so far only two events are confirmed.

Palin will be attending the Vanderburgh County Right to Life dinner in Evansville, Ind., on April 16 and a breakfast the following day with members of S.M.I.L.E., a nonprofit support organization for people with family members who have Down syndrome. Palin's 10-month-old son, Trig, was born with the condition, which is caused by an extra chromosome and characterized by mental retardation of varying degrees.

"It's a personal day for her," Stapleton said. "This was one that was especially close to her heart so she really wanted to go."

Stapleton said Palin will fly into Evansville on Thursday and back out on Friday.

Palin wasn't worried about leaving Alaska so close to the end of legislative session on April 19, Stapleton said.

House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, said he expects most of the heavy lifting on legislation like the state budget will be over by then.

"I don't see it being a big issue, personally," Chenault said.

Besides, even though he expects the House will hold hearings on Palin's major bills - including those dealing with an in-state natural gas pipeline and forming a corporation to manage most of the state's major utilities - they won't be passed this year.

Chenault said lawmakers intend to hold the bills over to next year - the second of the two-year session.

Palin's only other planned travel so far is a June trip to the Auburn, N.Y., home of William Seward, the former Secretary of State responsible for the purchase of the Alaska territory from Russia. The foundation that maintains the house has invited Palin to a celebration of the state of Alaska's 50th anniversary also to be paid for by SarahPAC.

Stapleton said the PAC will pay for Palin's travel even though the trip could be considered state business to avoid raising any questions about ulterior motives.

When SarahPAC was formed earlier this year it further fueled speculation that the former Republican vice presidential candidate may be positioning herself for higher office.

Palin said she created the PAC in order to pay for travel to events that could be considered political.

Stapleton said the governor does plan to stump for candidates around the country who share her values.

The PAC so far has about three people on staff, including Stapleton. More details will be available on its fundraising efforts when the group files its first financial disclosure forms with the Federal Election Commission in mid-April.