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Monday, January 29, 2007
Ind. Gov't. - Recent coverage of Governor's Illiana and Commerce Connector proposals
Updating the ILB's most recent entry on these proposals, which was Jan. 25th, here are newer stories, oldest first:
- "Is bypass up against Catch-22?" from the Jan. 26th Indy Star. Lt. Gov. Skillman is quoted:
She says she understands the public's need for better information about Daniels' proposal. But she says the administration can't move ahead and gather the needed facts without legislative approval.
"When you don't yet know what or where it might be, it's difficult to form an opinion," Skillman said. "(But) it's difficult for the administration to proceed if there isn't legislative support."
That, in essence, is the stance the Daniels administration has taken as it attempts to deflect a growing chorus of critics questioning the governor's proposal for a toll bypass east and south of Indianapolis.
- "I-69 funding raises concern" from the Jan. 26th Evansville C&P:
A prominent state senator warned Thursday there won't be funds to extend Interstate 69 all the way from Evansville to Indianapolis, unless the Legislature passes the governor's privatized toll road proposal.
Senate Transportation Chairman Thomas Wyss defended the governor's Indiana Commerce Connector bill, which has run into opposition in central Indiana where the toll road would be built.
"The connector is the basis for completion of I-69. Without the connector and it being a toll connector, I believe that the continuation of I-69 from Evansville to Indianapolis is impossible," said Wyss, R-Fort Wayne. * * *
Also included in Senate Bill 1 is a second privatized tollway, the Illiana Expressway, which would divert traffic between Michigan City and the Chicago suburbs through Lake and Porter counties in northwestern Indiana. Asked if any proceeds from the Illiana Expressway would be used to fund I-69 in Southwestern Indiana, Wyss said, "It may."
Long acknowledged the fate of the Commerce Connector proposal hinges on acceptance of the idea by the public.
- "Illiana Expressway opponents to meet," a story in the Jan. 28th NWI Times, about the Citizens Opposed to Illiana Expressway.
- "Put Illiana Expressway proposal on fast track," an editorial in the Jan. 28th NWI Times, supporting the Illiana Expressway proposal with quotes like this, discounting the opposition:
Public comment at the first three public hearings on the road last weekend was mostly negative. This is to be expected, as it was mostly farmers who oppose giving up their land. It's the "not in my back yard" syndrome, even though the actual route hasn't been chosen yet.
Few of those who favor the expressway showed up at the hearings. That is sad.
The region has been presented with a tremendous opportunity. How the legislators act on it will be a test of their leadership.
Strong political will is needed to do the right thing by fast-tracking this proposal. Build it quickly so the benefits it will bring can come sooner.
- "Long path awaits Illiana bill," a story dated Jan. 28th by Patrick Guinane that was posted in today's online NWI Times:
The legislative path toward approving an Illiana Expressway is a long and no doubt winding road.
Restless townsfolk readying their pitchforks and torches should know that the committee vote scheduled for Tuesday is merely the first step in negotiations that won't be settled until late April, if at all this year. Also, key lawmakers are signaling that any authority they grant Gov. Mitch Daniels would require him to come back to the Legislature before pouring any concrete.
"This is a very long process," said Sen. Vic Heinold, R-Kouts. "I think it's fair to investigate the need (for the highway). I do not want to give authority for this thing to go at the start of this. I want to evaluate it at each stage."
As a Republican member of the Senate Transportation Committee, Heinold is a key player at this stage of the game. Before the panel votes Tuesday, he plans to offer amendments that would spell out terms the governor's office must meet before signing a contract to build a privately financed Illiana Expressway in Northwest Indiana or another tollway outside Indianapolis.
Transportation Committee Chairman Tom Wyss, R-Fort Wayne, cautions that too much future oversight could kill private interest in building the roads. He and other Republican allies in the Senate say the public needs to believe Daniels when he says the tollways won't be built if planning studies or public support don't pan out.
Some Republicans also caution that it's apples and oranges to compare the issue to last year's "highly politicized" debate regarding leasing the Indiana Toll Road.
The logistics of this year's tollway debate are different, in that Democrats now control the House. Senate Bill 1, which grants permission for the Illiana Expressway and the downstate Indiana Commerce Connector, likely would come before Rep. Earl Harris, D-East Chicago, on the House Transportation Committee, and Rep. Bob Kuzman, D-Crown Point, who is vice chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.
"This is really early in session," Kuzman said. "We need to slow this baby down a little bit and not try to, for a lack of a better word, roll over anybody."
Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, who will have a vote in committee on Tuesday, has expressed similar sentiments. The same goes for Valparaiso Rep. Ed Soliday, a Republican member of the House Transportation Committee.
"I'd like to see the (route planning) study and then the action," Soliday said. "Right now we don't have any numbers."
Illinois and Indiana transportation officials agreed last month to begin a three-year study of the Illiana Expressway, which would start at Interstate 57, run east to Interstate 65 and then curve north in Porter County to connect with Interstate 94 near Michigan City.
- The same story includes this useful sidebar:
The likely road ahead for Senate Bill 1, which would allow the state to build the Illiana Expressway and the Indiana Commerce Connector, another privately financed tollway proposed for central Indiana. All steps contingent on legislation clearing previous bar.
Tuesday -- Senate Transportation Committee -- take amendments and vote. Key local players: Sen. Vic Heinold, R-Kouts; Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary
Early February -- Senate Tax Committee -- hold hearing, take amendments and vote: Key local players: Sen. Sue Landske, R-Cedar Lake; Sen. Frank Mrvan, D-Hammond
Mid-February -- Second reading in Senate -- chance for all senators to offer amendments
By Feb. 28 -- Deadline or third reading vote by full Senate.
Early March -- House Transportation Committee -- hearing, amendments, vote. Key local players: Rep. Earl Harris, D-East Chicago. Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso
Mid-March - House Ways and Means Committee -- hearing, amendments, vote. Key local player: Rep. Bob Kuzman, D-Crown Point
Late March -- Second reading in House -- chance for all representatives to offer amendments
By April 10 -- Deadline for third reading vote by full Senate.
Mid-April -- Legislative leaders would appoint a special conference committee to sort out differences between House and Senate versions of the bill.
Late April -- The final compromise -- conference committee report -- would need to be approved by the House and Senate
Governor -- If both chambers reach an agreement, bill would go to governor for him to sign or veto.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on January 29, 2007 07:16 PM
Posted to Indiana Government