The Herald Bulletin
INDIANAPOLIS - Efforts by State Rep. Terri J. Austin, D-Anderson, to bring regional mass transit to central Indiana received overwhelming support Wednesday in the Indiana House.
House Bill 1660, approved by a 67-30 margin, establishes transit development districts for the first time in Indiana, although the concept is popular in other states.
"This legislation enables counties to create Regional Transportation Districts in partnership with other cities and counties," Austin said. "These districts would be governed by a board of elected officials, including members of county and city councils, as well as county commissioners."
This board would establish a comprehensive transportation plan for consideration by the State Budget Committee. If that plan is approved, Austin said the district could capture a portion of proceeds from a local option income tax or implement a Tax Increment Fund (TIF) within the designated region to finance the construction of new transportation infrastructure or expand existing routes.
"This legislation also creates incentives for individual units of government to work together on a regional basis to address transportation expansion efforts," Austin said.
House Bill 1660 is the result of discussion and debate by the Joint Committee on Mass Transit and Transportation Alternatives that Austin co-chaired.
"This bill is so important to our future transportation needs," Austin said. "For the past two and a half years, our committee has heard from a number of national experts on the subject of mass transit and how to make it work. These experts tell us that the most promising efforts are a result of public-private partnerships.
"Mass transit also promotes growth and economic development," she said. "If the public sector puts money into a light rail transit system, they can expect three to five times that amount in private money for added development."
The legislation was endorsed by several groups, including the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce; the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority composed of nine central Indiana counties; Health by Design, a coalition of over 200 organizations working together; the Hoosier Environmental Council; the Indiana Transportation Association; the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors; and the Association of Indiana Counties.
"We're pleased that the bill gives local government the option to invest in transit," said Ehrin Bingaman, executive director of the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority. "This legislation can take Indiana to the next level in diversifying our infrastructure and giving Hoosiers affordable, green and essential options for getting to work and the places people go."
Co-authors on House Bill 1660 are State Reps. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso; Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis; and Gerald Torr, R-Carmel.
The measure now moves to the Indiana Senate, where it will be sponsored by State Sens. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville; Tim Lanane, D-Anderson; Tom Wyss, R-Fort Wayne; and Karen Tallian, D-Portage.