South Shore funding bill narrowly escapes Indiana House

BY PATRICK GUINANE, Times of Northwest Indiana
pguinane@nwitimes.com

INDIANAPOLIS | The South Shore expansion push sharply divided region lawmakers Tuesday night, but the legislation narrowly cleared the Indiana House thanks to unexpected support from a powerful Indianapolis Republican.

House Minority Leader Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, said he didn't support the effort to divert $350 million in state sales tax money toward the $1 billion plan to extend commuter rail lines to Lowell and Valparaiso. But he told his side of the aisle, "I'm going to ask enough of you to keep this bill moving."

The legislation ultimately advanced to the Senate on a 54-41, vote despite opposition from four Northwest Indiana legislators. Without Bosma's plea, the South Shore funding bill appeared headed toward a dead end.

"I have a feeling his comments definitely saved the bill," said Rep. Dan Stevenson, a Highland Democrat who voted against the legislation.

Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, suggested that the surprise support from across the aisle signals a backroom deal to link the rail funding bill to other legislative issues.

"You're going to find some strange bedfellows on this," Brown said after voting against the bill. "This is too greased for me."

The legislation, House Bill 1220, would divert 12.5 percent of the sales tax Lake and Porter counties send the state, a move that would generate $30 million a year without raising local taxes. House Republicans, including Bosma, continued to insist it's simply unfair to divert so much state money toward a local project.

"This is an investment, not only in Northwest Indiana but in the entire state of Indiana," countered Rep. Chet Dobis, the Merrillville Democrat sponsoring the South Shore legislation.

The more than one-hour debate showcased fiscal barbs from downstate Republicans and feeling of slight from a few region Democrats.

Brown and Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, argued the rail project could sap funding for upgrades to Gary/Chicago International Airport and draw commuters away from South Shore stops in East Chicago, Gary and Hammond.

"This is grossly unfair, grossly unfair to the three cities on the northern end," Brown said. "I think this is basically Rep. Dobis and Congressman (Pete) Visclosky. But what about the people, the many, many people who say they don't want it?"

Rep. Linda Lawson, D-Hammond, voted for the legislation but said she wanted assurances that a "gateway" station for the new line would be built in Hammond. Stevenson said he voted against the bill, in part, because the Hammond hub wasn't included.