INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — There would be fewer dollars for local roads under changes to an infrastructure funding plan approved April 4 by the Indiana state Senate.

 

The Indiana Farm Bureau (IFB) is still behind the proposal because it says the need for fixing roads and bridges is so desperate – but is hoping the final bill going to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s desk will be more to its liking.

 

 “The Senate version, to be honest, we don’t like it as well as the House version for a variety of reasons, but we do definitely want the bill to keep moving,” said Katrina Hall, director of public policy for IFB in Indianapolis.

 

Road funding is the top priority of IFB this year, she noted. The differences in the House and Senate versions will be hashed out by a joint conference committee and a final version to present to Holcomb for his signature is expected before the legislature adjourns for the year on April 21.

 

According to lawmakers, the Senate version would generate about $670 million in additional revenue for roads annually, beginning in 2019. That’s short of the projected $1.1 billion in extra road funding a year estimated to be needed. Instead of all sales taxes on fuel going to roads as outlined by the House version, the Senate bill would freeze what’s currently spent on roads from that tax and preserve the amount leftover for other programs. Other provisions in the House bill remain in the Senate version, such as a $15 vehicle registration fee, a 10-cent gasoline tax increase and a diesel tax increase.

 

A proposal allowing the governor to seek interstate tolling also remains. The Senate version, though, increases the registration fee on commercial vehicles above what’s contained in the House bill. “We’re concerned about that primarily because farmers have more trucks,” explained Hall.

  

She said the Senate version takes dollars away from local roads and bridges while leaving funds fairly intact for stateowned infrastructure.

 

Another new twist to the bill is a $5 charge for every new tire purchased in Indiana. Hall said the tire surcharge is not as much of a concern, feeling the impact of that on farmers would be minimal. Democrats remain outspoken against the Republican plan, claiming it’s another example of the working class have to pay for more infrastructure while corporations keep enjoying large-scale tax cuts.

 

House Minority Speaker Scott Pelath (D-Michigan City) said he also wants more road funding, and hopes there will be some easing up of what’s expected financially from the middle class when the dust settles on the financial piece of legislation.

 

“As always, my hope is they find some balance in something that brings forth a tangible and worthwhile reinvestment in Indiana’s infrastructure, but one that’s applied fairly and reasonably – and I think we’re still a long way from that point,” said Pelath.

 

State Sen. Mike Bohacek (R-Michiana Shores) said the fees will be painful but the roads are in such desperate shape that something needs to be done, and the funds generated from both measures fund improvements and maintenance on a massive scale for the long term.

 

“We can’t just try to whittle away at this thing,” he said.

 

Both proposals give the governor the authority to convert interstates 65 and 70 into toll roads, something to which many in the GOP are receptive. Bohacek said I-65 from Gary to Indianapolis is in horrible shape and needs a third lane added, and the same is true for the highway further to the south.

 

“You go from Indianapolis to Louisville, it’s the same way,” said Bohacek, who added better roads and bridges are vital for the state to remain economically

competitive.