Bill introduced to allow Major Moves funds to be used in more progressive manners

State Rep. Scott Pelath (D-Michigan City) has introduced some very forward thinking legislation to allow for Major Moves funds to be used for Public Mass Transportation. The current legistation on the books allows the money to be used only for roads, highways, and bridges.

House Bill 1273 addresses many concerns about the Toll Road legislation that was rushed through by Gov Mitch Daniels. At the time of the Republican led legislation, there was much concern from Democratic leaders that reserving funds only for roads was very short-sighted. Many Democrats believed that to much money was being spent year after year by both the state and local governments on roads. Not only are new roads expensive to build, but old roads are expensive to maintain.

Many ideas were thrown around such as the expansion of the South Shore, interurban transportation, or even high speed rail between South Bend and Indianapolis. Mitch Daniels, however, shot down every one of them. The arguments for use of the Major Moves funds for Public Mass Transportation are getting stronger. With prices of road construction materials rising -- in some cases quadrupling -- governments are not able to purchase anywhere near the same amount for a road anymore.

Still, there may be some Republican opposition to HB 1273. Stay tuned to The Journal for further updates from the 2009 legislative session.