The council presidents from two Hendricks County towns today joined the growing list of supporters asking state lawmakers for a referendum to expand mass transit in Central Indiana.
Plainfield council president Robin Brandgard and Brownsburg council president Dwayne Sawyer told a legislative committee that transit would aid economic development, relieve traffic congestion and quicken commutes to Downtown Indianapolis.
The legislative task force is studying
the need and options for mass transit in Central Indiana and plans to make a recommendation on how to proceed by Dec. 12 to the Indiana General Assembly. Advocates are asking for legislation to allow each county in Central Indiana to hold a referendum to ask residents to raise their income taxes by 0.3 percent to pay for transit projects....
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard and Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear, long-time supporters of transit, also spoke in favor of transit at the hearing.
They and other advocates are convinced transit will speed commutes, reduce traffic congestion and spur economic development. While no one spoke against transit at the meeting, opponents, including several Tea Party groups, have said they are opposed to the increase in taxes for an expansion that will benefit only a part of the area’s population.
The committee will meet again at 9 a.m. Sept. 10 in Room 431 at the Statehouse.
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