Latest news with #CommunityCrossingsMatchingGrantProgram
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Illinois absorption, prosecutors crackdown and local road funding bills head to Indiana governor
The House gavel and sound block sit in a basket of legislative documents atop the rostrum on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muñiz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Indiana legislation to study the absorption of secessionist Illinois counties heads to Gov. Mike Braun after a successful concurrence vote Thursday, along with measures to examine 'noncompliant' prosecutors and expand local funding options for transportation infrastructure. 'I think it's been a great opportunity to talk about all the great things going on in Indiana, and to say … we'd love to have that conversation,' Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, told reporters. His House Enrolled Act 1008 would create an Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission tasked with exploring the absorption of Prairie State counties that have already voted to secede. Since 2020, 33 counties have passed such 'advisory referenda,' with seven of those votes occurring in the most recent general election. Originally, Illinois would've had to appoint members for the commission to convene. Now, it must meet by September — with or without Prairie State representation. 'That's their choice whether they want to participate or not,' Huston said, shortly after the 64-23 concurrence vote. House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne criticized the measure as a 'publicity ploy,' and argued the secessionist counties would sink Indiana finances instead of contributing revenue. A proposal punishing public prosecutors who 'categorically refuse to prosecute' criminal laws also crossed the finish line Thursday, on a 60-20 concurrence vote in the House. House Enrolled Act 1006 initially would've also boosted the number of qualified special prosecutors available for appointment and offered partial reimbursement for prosecutors, defenders and more. But those came with price tags, so the Senate stripped them out. Now, it mainly creates a prosecutor review board that will scrutinize prosecutors and issue reports to the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council on those labeled 'noncompliant.' But it no longer requires that funding be withheld. And a complex transportation funding measure avoided negotiations — contrary to Senate expectations — when it earned a 69-19 concurrence vote in the House. House Bill 1461 would change up the popular Community Crossings Matching Grant Program, raise the speed limit on Interstate 465, let communities tap into excess township funds and ease barriers to tolling, among numerous other provisions. Opponents largely cited the tolling provisions as problematic, complaining about the impact to residents and local streets. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Local road-funding legislation nabs Senate vote but likely going to conference committee
Sen. Mike Crider, R-Greenfield, speaks from the Senate floor during the 2025 legislative session. (Courtesy Indiana Senate Republicans) A package of funding options for local transportation infrastructure — sparked by an impending fiscal cliff — passed Indiana's Senate on Tuesday. But it will likely be finalized in a conference committee, per a key lawmaker. 'We've coordinated closely with the city of Indianapolis and other major units (of government) to try to get more funding on the landscape to more effectively handle our road needs,' said Sen. Mike Crider, the measure's sponsor. He cited increasing fuel efficiency, inflation, electric vehicles, alternative fuel and more as complicating the financial future for local roads and bridges. Lawmakers seek road-funding changes, hope to avoid fiscal cliff House Bill 1461 would change up the popular Community Crossings Matching Grant Program, raise the speed limit on Interstate 465 and let local governments tap into excess township funds, among numerous other provisions. Crider read aloud a message from the Indiana Township Association that said its members didn't want to be included in the legislation, but that it was 'inevitable' and that the organization is comfortable with the language. 'I think this bill is going to conference committee, and I'm happy to work with them,' Crider added. 'I have not heard anything further today from them, and so, based on that, I'm assuming we're okay. But I can assure the members of the chamber that both (author) Rep. (Jim) Pressel and myself were in constant communication with all the players in this discussion.' He also noted opinions diverge on language allowing the Indiana Department of Transportation to submit a request to the Federal Highway Administration for a waiver to toll lanes on interstate highways. 'There's (been) a lot of concerns expressed, particularly around the tolling aspect,' he told his colleagues. 'I would remind you that the language related to tolling is all based on the state applying for and receiving a waiver from the federal government, which may never happen.' Even if that does occur, he noted the State Budget Committee would have to approve any plans before implementation. The Senate advanced House Bill 1461 on a 38-10 vote. When legislation goes to conference committee, lawmakers typically hammer out a compromise behind closed doors. If a measure survives that process, it'll head back to each chamber for a final vote before going to Gov. Mike Braun. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cass County communities receive $3.1M for road projects
Indiana's Community Crossings Matching Grant Program awarded Cass County communities more than $3.1 million in state funding for local road and bridge projects last week. The Community Crossings Matching Grant Program provides local communities funding for road reconstruction, bridge preservation, intersection improvements and other projects. This year, 245 Indiana communities will receive more than $200 million in state matching grants. Area grant recipients include Cass County ($1.5 million), Galveston ($660,000) and Logansport ($1,019,762.95). 'Our state and communities are continuing to grow, and the local infrastructure must keep up with the increased demands,' State Rep. Ethan Manning (R-Logansport) said. 'This program demonstrates Indiana's commitment to strengthening our infrastructure and improving the overall quality of life for Hoosiers.' To qualify for funding, smaller municipalities must provide a 25% match in local funds, while larger communities must provide a 50% match. The state requires 50% of available matching funds be awarded annually to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or less. The Logansport City Council allocated a little more than $1 million toward street revitalization projects during a special meeting in January, days before the deadline. For the city, renovation work will be different depending on the road. In most cases, they'll be grinded down to create a smoother surface for repaving. Some roads will also receive things like sensor loops, which interact with traffic lights to make sure cars don't have to wait at red lights for too long. The revitalization work will impact Industrial Boulevard, Billiard Drive, Mall Road, Yorktown Road, Cass Plaza Drive, 18th Street from the bridge to the railroad crossing, West Roselawn from East Market Street to George Street, East Main Street from Hoosier Heartland to the light at 18th Street, East Miami Avenue from Sixth Street to West Market Street, West Broadway from Front Street to Central Avenue. 'The Community Crossings Matching Grant Program provides funding to help improve travel for Hoosiers and visitors to our great state,' State Sen. Stacey Donato (R-Logansport) said. 'I am glad to see our community leaders taking advantage of this program so we can ensure our local infrastructure is maintained.' Indiana was recently ranked as the best state in the nation for overall road conditions by Consumer Affairs, noting low rate of traffic fatalities and quality of roads. Other communities to receive grants include Delphi ($1.5 million); Kokomo ($1.5 million); White County ($1.5 million); Howard County ($1,482,653.42); Carroll County ($1,449,506.25); Monticello ($1,380,165.45); Fulton County ($1,000,560); Pulaski County ($994,531.20); Rochester ($658,477.17); and Winamac ($547,498.55). Since 2016, Community Crossings has awarded more than $2 billion to improve local roads and bridges across the state. 'Having strong, sustainable infrastructure is necessary to maintain Indiana's economy and promote growth,' Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) said. 'This program helps address our needs and makes communities across the state a better place to call home.'
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Indiana lawmakers turn to local governments in quest for road funding boost
Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie, presides over his committee on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muñiz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Cash-strapped local governments could soon pick from a broader menu of ways to self-fund transportation infrastructure — including through contentious delivery fees or township surplus funds — but wouldn't get any more financial aid directly from the Statehouse. 'We need investment and assistance from the state, but this legislation doesn't include it,' said Ryan Hoff, government affairs director and general counsel for the Association of Indiana Counties. He was among nearly two-dozen witnesses who testified before the House's Roads and Transportation Committee on Monday. The wide-ranging House Bill 1461 also changes allocations and adds requirements for the popular Community Crossings Matching Grant Program; cracks down on economic development incentives; and brushes some dust off long-untouched tolling possibilities. Author Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie, called his proposal '37 pages of options.' 'There's some really good things in here, there are some things that are maybe not so great, but we need a conversation on: is this good policy?' he told the committee, which he chairs. Lawmakers seek road-funding changes, hope to avoid fiscal cliff Pressel and others spent almost two years studying up on revenue-raising possibilities to head off an anticipated fiscal cliff. Motor fuel taxation yields eight of every 10 state dollars that fund roads and bridges for both the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and local governments. But as Hoosiers upgrade to more fuel-efficient vehicles — or try electric and hybrid options — there is less money to work with. And inflation means those dollars aren't stretching as far. INDOT Legislative Director Aaron Wainscott said his agency has lost out on $1 billion already and has had to postpone 300 projects. Hoosier communities, meanwhile, face an annual funding gap of nearly $500 million per year in construction costs just to keep road conditions as-is, according to Purdue University's Local Technical Assistance Program — plus more to see improvements and to fund bridges. Witnesses offered mixed testimony at the hours-long meeting. 'There's a little bit of everything in this bill,' said Brian Gould, executive director of the Build Indiana Council. '… I have yet to talk to one stakeholder that's said, 'I love everything in this bill,' but I think everyone I've talked to has also said, 'We can work with this. This is a good place to begin the conversation.'' The committee didn't vote on the measure. Pressel hopes to hear amendments at the body's next meeting. Hoosiers could see new fees tacked onto their Amazon, DoorDash and other delivery orders. Pressel's legislation would empower counties to impose fees — of between 50 cents and $1 — per retail delivery. Purchases not subject to sales tax, like groceries, would be exempt. A fiscal analysis by the nonpartisan Legal Services Agency estimated that a fee of 50 cents per delivery could raise $22-$27 per resident, and more if counties choose a higher rate. A range of business advocates opposed the fee, saying it would hurt family restaurants and other small businesses, and would present a complex administrative burden. Pressel, meanwhile, read a list of fees — totaling about $12 — off a constituent's $35 order of chicken wings. 'I just find it hard to believe that 50 cents on top of those fees would be cumbersome,' he said. Brianna January, representing technology industry coalition Chamber of Progress, argued that elderly and disabled residents on fixed incomes rely heavily on delivery and rideshare services. The legislation additionally would let communities tap into surplus money held by townships. These units of local government are county subdivisions. If, at the end of a calendar year, a township's reserves are more than 15% higher than its estimated budget for the next year, the excess money would go to a township transportation infrastructure fund. Townships would collaborate with cities, towns or counties on bidding out projects improving infrastructure within township boundaries. Deborah Driskell, executive director of the Indiana Township Association and Delaware township trustee, said townships hold reserves for good reasons, like for emergencies, and asked to 'tighten up' the measure. She read aloud messages from consultants advising that townships keep six months of operating revenue on hand. The bill's 15%, she noted, would be just a fraction of that. The proposal also offers the state's capital and largest community — the consolidated Indianapolis-Marion County — ways to raise more money for transportation infrastructure. For that community alone, it increases caps on the vehicle excise and wheel tax. And it introduces a referendum-based 'metropolitan thoroughfare district' tax levy specific to the consolidated city-county. It's unclear if three-term Mayor Joe Hogsett would take advantage. His administration has long resisted raising local taxes for transportation infrastructure, protesting that the state's funding formula shortchanges the community. The legislation would also add a $150 million cap to Community Crossings, a matching grant program that local governments can use to fund local road and bridge projects. What's left above the cap would get siphoned off for other purposes. For one year, an estimated surplus of $207 million would fund fixes for dangerous at-grade railroad crossings, according to the fiscal analysis. In later years, the excess would go to the Motor Vehicle Highway Account. That's the pot of money behind the state's transportation infrastructure funding formula; INDOT gets about 62% of it and Hoosier communities split the remaining 38%. On average, between fiscal years 2026-2030, the to-be-transferred surplus is estimated at $62.6 million annually. County and municipality representatives critiqued the legislation for diverting Community Crossings money — which goes to local governments — into an account that sends large shares of money to INDOT. House Bill 1461 also tweaks Community Crossings itself. It adds new application requirements: local governments must adopt ordinances implementing the wheel tax and excise surtax if they can. All counties are eligible; so are municipalities with more than 5,000 people. There are 37 counties and 107 municipalities that could adopt such taxes but haven't, according to the fiscal analysis and Accelerate Indiana Municipalities. And there are more communities that do levy the taxes but don't max them out. Purdue University's Local Technical Assistance Program has estimated a capacity of $458 million, but receipts in 2022 only added up to $123 million — leaving $335 million untapped. Knox County Commissioner Kellie Streeter said her county uses other local funding mechanisms in lieu of the unpopular wheel tax. Instead of requiring that communities adopt it, she suggested Pressel consider the percentage of local effort put into roads and bridges. 'Our constituents looked at that twice. They didn't want it, so we used other … sources. I just ask (that) we be able to have that local control and that decision-making,' Streeter said. 'We want to help ourselves. Many of us do, and we know you want us to help ourselves. So let us have that choice.' Pressel's bill also lowers matching requirements for sparsely populated communities, to the delight of advocates. Lawmakers heard, over the interim, that it takes small local governments years to save up for matches. CONTACT US Another provision would bar the controversial Indiana Economic Development Corp., a quasi-public agency, from offering incentives unless the recipient is on the hook for the transportation infrastructure needed to serve its economic development project. The IEDC has been under fire for land acquisitions, water supply plans and significant investments in the Limitless Exploration/Advanced Pace manufacturing park. Lawmakers have sought to tighten the reins. Business groups, including a statewide and local chamber of commerce, opposed the measure. 'Requiring private business to pay for road infrastructure, if other incentives are involved, could delay and stall important projects,' said Jenna Bentley, the Indy Chamber's vice president for government affairs. 'We'd really like to see increased communication without shifting that burden to business,' she added. Indiana lawmakers gave the governor the power to add tolls to more roads and bridges in 2017. Former Gov. Eric Holcomb, who held office from 2017 until early this month, never took them up on the offer. House Bill 1461 gives that language a refresh. It would let INDOT, with the governor's approval, submit a request for a tolling waiver to the federal government. If the waiver is granted, the Indiana General Assembly wouldn't need to approve authorizing legislation. 'Probably most importantly in this bill is the language initiating an updated conversation about tolling. It is a necessary step forward,' said David Ober, vice president of taxation and public finance for the influential Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Construction, business and other advocacy groups expressed interest in tolling, but others protested the possibility. Indiana Motor Trucks President Gary Langston said trucks engaged in interstate commerce already pay user fees on 'every mile they drive on every road throughout the United States.' He also noted that truckers will keep contributing fuel tax revenue, with diesel alternatives far off for the industry. Langston called for more analysis 'before we make any long-term decisions,' adding, 'Once you put in a toll, it never goes away. All it does is go up.' Tolling could generate $4.2 billion in revenue over the first five years of implementation, starting in fiscal year 2029, according to the fiscal analysis. Indiana could receive an estimated $38.2 billion in revenue over the 22 years between 2029 and 2050. But how's new Gov. Mike Braun feel about that? An office spokesperson didn't provide comment before publication time. Numerous witnesses agreed: something has to change. 'Relying on our current funding mechanisms means … guaranteed shortfalls in funding, delays on much-needed projects, and the burden to fund our infrastructure will continue to fall on the backs of Hoosiers,' said the Build Indiana Council's Gould. 'Folks aren't coming in looking and asking to pay more,' Gould continued. 'But … I can't have anybody say … 'Please don't fix my road. I enjoy the congestion driving bumper-to-bumper on I-65. I like the bumpy ride on I-70.' We know there's work to be done, and this is a great place for us to start that.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
