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Senate Advances Road Funding Bill Using State Surplus As Payment

Brian Hefele
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https://www.flickr.com/photos/brhefele/6973020335

Senate lawmakers Tuesday advanced their compromise on the ongoing road funding debate. 

The Senate’s version of the road funding bill does not raise any taxes (unlike its House counterpart).  Instead, it would spend down the state’s surplus and give local governments more freedom to raise or create road funding taxes. 

It would also create a new task force compromised of lawmakers and state and local officials. Sen. Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville) says the task force will focus on transportation infrastructure needs and develop long-term funding solutions.

“We plan to look first to existing revenues and other alternatives before we consider tax increases,” Kenley says.

But Sen. Karen Tallian (D-Portage) says she can’t support the Senate GOP’s proposal as long as it fails to enact long-term solutions.

“Our roads are still in D-plus status and we continue to study the situation,” Tallian says.

The Senate approved the bill 39-11.  The issue will go to a conference committee.  

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.
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