The Post-Tribune
A four-county transportation board is a significant step to advance regionalism in Northwest Indiana.
The proposed board, which has been approved by the Senate Transportation Committee and faces further scrutiny in the full Senate and the House, would oversee public mass transit in four counties: Lake, Porter, LaPorte and St. Joseph.
The board would have the ability to levy an income tax of up to 0.25 percent and bond for major projects. If passed, it would raise $52 million a year in a relatively painless way. Importantly, it would take the votes of three of the four counties to proceed on any project.
Of course, the proposal -- patterned after the mass transit system in the greater Chicago area -- has some local politicians up in arms. "No more taxes!" they shout. "We don't need progress!" they argue. "Not in my back yard!" they scream.
It is for these very reasons the Senate proposal is a positive step forward for the region.
The failure of our local politicians at every turn to take measures to improve the region is why this bill exists.
The key strength of the proposal is that mass transit infrastructure isn't just good for future growth. It helps maintain what we have and allows the region to build on that base. The South Shore is an example. It has allowed people to work in Chicago but live, spend and pay taxes in Indiana with the money earned in Illinois.
The bill would allow commuter rail extensions eventually to Lowell and Valparaiso.
It also would create a regionalized bus system, something the Regional Bus Authority has failed utterly to do.
That helps residents move about communities, increasing job opportunities and growing the economy.
There are some local politicians who don't see this.
They should stand aside and make way for progress.