Critics: Dobis plan to fund South Shore expansion won't work

A plan put forth by Rep. Chet Dobis, D-Merrillville, as a way to fund the plan without raising taxes would seem to expel these concerns.

Detractors remain unconvinced.

"I think the plan is not going to work," critic and Porter County Commissioner Bob Harper said.

Dobis' plan calls for 12 percent of sales tax collected from the region to go toward the rail extensions to Valparaiso and Lowell.

Dobis has said the plan would raise about $30 million a year to pay $350 million toward the project.

The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority is expected to commit another $150 million, which together would match federal money for a total of $1 billion.

Harper said he doesn't see how the new plan could not increase taxes somehow.

Even if the Indiana General Assembly agrees to Dobis' plan, Harper said he doesn't know if RDA has the money to contribute $150 million.

"On their budget, it can't happen," said Harper, who is a Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District board member.

Harper said he doesn't trust the state legislature not to try to pass a bill at the end of the session enacting a new tax to pay for the work. He will propose a resolution at Thursday's NICTD meeting to try to make sure that doesn't happen.

"The idea is to make sure this is not some sort of Trojan horse," he said.

Others in Porter County agree with Harper's concerns.

Ron Brown of Valparaiso said the new plan just pulls money from other areas of the state.

"That's going to create a shortfall in the state, and they're going to have to make up for that," he said. "They're playing shell games with this, so which pocket are they going to take it out of?"

Jeffrey Brooks of Portage agreed, saying the state would have to look to new taxes to replace the $350 million.

He also believes the state will have to subsidize it in the future, creating even more of a financial strain for the state.

"I don't think everybody understands that this is going to cost a lot of money," Brooks said. "They're not thinking into the future."

Proponents of the project have argued that the development will bring thousands of new jobs and improve the environment by taking cars off the road.

Brooks said he doesn't think enough people will use the extension to make a significant effect in air quality.

Some opponents aren't completely against the expansion, though. Gerry Jasinski said he is a regular rider of the South Shore and wants to see current service improved first.

If the problems, which he described as constantly late trains, aren't fixed, money spent on the extensions will be wasted.

"Most of it's going to be tossed in the trash can," he said of the money.

And Harper said he would support the project if officials can do it without raising taxes.

But to him, that's a big if.