Personally, I believe that after we recover from the understandable commuter shock, much good will come of this in the sense of business and community building, and Rep. Clere might even agree with me. At the same time, and whether intentional or not, something he writes begs a very obvious question. Let's see who in the state's Democratic opposition asks it; to help them, I've italicized the key point:
CLERE: Bridges pose challenges now and later, by Ed Clere
... Because of Indiana’s Major Moves program — which has been using proceeds from the lease of the Northern Indiana Toll Road to fund road projects all around the state — Indiana has increased spending on road construction at a time when most other states have been cutting back. Most of the Major Moves money has been spent, however, and we will have to look for new ways to fund future projects.
7 comments:
No wonder Daniels reneged on our East End bridge money. He spent it elsewhere...
Wasn't that money supposed to fund projects for 20 years?
Yep, that's what I'm looking for. I can tell by your speed and accuracy that you are NOT a Democratic Party functionary.
lol Neither Democratic nor Republican Party functionary. I prefer government to actually function...
Karen,
When you find one that does, be sure and let us know. Observing functional government is on my bucket list.
To get the legilisature to approve the Northern Toll Road deal, Daniels promised that not only would all projects then in the state's 10 year transportation plan (including ORBP) be fully funded with "money in the bank", but that they would be able to add projects as well and have a reserve.
The truth is that, even though many of those transportation projects have been downsized, delayed, or canceled, the transportation fund is $1 billion behind again a short time later. Most of the money was never actually there.
Northern tolls, on the other hand, have steadily risen since privatization.
Since Mitch's lie has become evident and he did, as Karen says, renege on his Bridge promise, Clere has had nothing to say about it, except to give the governor even more tolling authority.
Apparently, $800 in property taxes is a "crisis" but $800 in tolls is "innovative".
"Apparently, $800 in property taxes is a "crisis" but $800 in tolls is "innovative"."
Wow. I'm not exactly sure how, but Jeff's whole comment deserves much wider distribution. I might suggest that Jeff do a minor re-write and submit to area newspapers
Wow, Jeff *golf clap*. Well said.
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