PORTAGE | Porter County Commissioner Bob Harper's concerns about the potential tax impact of extending the South Shore railroad to Valparaiso and Lowell were not enough Thursday to derail a vote of support by the executive board of the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission.
The nine board members present joined the Northwest Indiana Forum in approving a resolution calling on federal and state lawmakers to support legislation to finance and build the $1 billion extension.
The board rejected a request by Harper to postpone the vote so it could be taken up next month by the 53 members of NIRPC's full commission.
"We're talking about a billion dollars of taxpayers' money," Harper said.
Harper accused the board of endorsing the proposal without first coming up with a way to fund the required $500 million local share. He questioned whether local residents -- many of whom are being hit this week with property tax increases -- should be required to pay yet another tax to fund a project that will benefit relatively few riders.
"I think there's a trail coming, but it's not the South Shore," he said, predicting financial hardship for residents.
NIRPC Executive Director John Swanson said the proposed extensions will bring economic benefits, including new jobs, greater access to Chicago, reduced dependence on foreign oil and improved air quality.
He said the project has strong local support and will provide new opportunities for development.
The same types of benefits were voiced following the meeting by Justin Kitsch, director of communications for U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind.
The region is going to have to come up with a source for its half of the cost in order to tap the $500 million in federal assistance, he said. It was his understanding $150 million in local tax money has been committed by the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority.
NIRPC Executive Board member and Porter County Surveyor Kevin Breitzke said he believes the rail extensions are integral to the future of the region, but he has concerns about how it will be funded and whether a nonelected body will be placed in charge of a tax.
He questioned the urgency of Thursday's vote and suggested putting the question to voters via a referendum.
Swanson said the endorsement vote was scheduled for Thursday so NIRPC could be on record when state lawmakers go back into session early next month.
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