By Stephen Dick, Herald Bulletin Assistant Managing Editor
INDIANAPOLIS - Madison County could receive a little more than $21 million under House Bill 1656, authored By Rep. Terri Austin, D-Anderson. The bill passed the House on Tuesday by a vote of 88-11.
House Bill 1656 provides $1 billion in funding to help local units of government complete scores of new construction and other improvement projects.
"It was an overwhelming vote in the House," said Austin. The bill now goes to the Senate where it may be altered before coming back to the House.
"Indiana is at a crisis point right now," Austin said in an earlier press release. "With more than 266,000 Hoosiers out of work, we must take bold action to get them jobs that can pay them a decent wage and help their families face the challenges of everyday life.
Rep. Jack Lutz, R-Anderson, said he voted for the bill as amended last week which involved restoring funding taken out of Major Moves.
Funds will come from a variety of sources, including uncommitted balances from the Major Moves Next Generation Trust Fund and a portion of Indiana's share of the federal stimulus package.
Austin said the trust fund is $500 million set aside by the toll-road sale. She said the state was to use the interest on the fund for the fund for the next five years, but the interest level has been low.
"It's losing buying power," said Austin of the trust fund, especially since construction costs have risen 12 to 15 percent.
Austin's bill would provide $500 million to counties, and another $500 million to cities and towns that can be used for local capital improvements.
Alexandria Mayor Jack Woods, whose city would receive $880,000, wasn't knocking Alexandria's share, but said he wished such funds weren't given out on a per capita basis.
"We've got three shovel-ready projects ready to go," he said. Those include a new water tower on the south side, which, at $1.1 million, the stimulus would help toward completion. Other projects include the Washington Street project, at $5 million, and a $35 million to $45 million undertaking of annexing nearby additions and provide water and sewer service.
"Don't get me wrong," he said. "We're happy to get (the $880,000). We'll get ourselves in line to grow like everyone else."
Austin said in many cases projects have been set aside by communities because the money wasn't there.
"Now they will be able to be done, and we can put Hoosiers to work on them," she said.
"With this funding, roads can be rebuilt, bridges repaired and sidewalks upgraded, all in a much faster time frame than originally planned," Austin said. "In many cases, these projects have been set aside because the money simply wasn't there to pay for them.