From the New Castle Courier-Times:
The road to a legislative finish line in this year's Indiana General Assembly could resemble some of Henry County's worn out rural areas. It may be a bit bumpy and slow-going, thanks in part to a debate over additional road funding.
There appears to be momentum toward providing more money for that purpose in the budget over the next two years. But State Rep. Tom Saunders and State Sen. Jean Leising say there is a catch that could alter the final outcome.
"The House budget gives more money for local roads but the Senate budget gives less and requires counties to implement a wheel tax if they don't already have one," said Saunders, R-Lewisville.
"I think the road funding will be there," said Leising, R-Oldenburg. "The big question will be whether they mandate the wheel tax for counties to receive it. There are a lot of senators, especially in the southern part of the state, whose counties don't have a wheel tax. I think there's going to be somewhat of a fight on that issue."
Leising said while Henry County residents do pay a wheel tax, half of the other counties in her district do not have one. Saunders said neither does Wayne County in his district.
"The state shouldn't tell locals they have to implement a tax on their constituents," Saunders said. "The governor wants a tax cut, but at the same time, the legislature could be telling people in Wayne County they have to implement a new tax. I don't know if it's fair for the state to hold that over the locals' heads."
The governor's tax cut issue is another one that could get somewhat contentious in the final days of the session.
"I look for the governor's cut to be in the final budget bill in some form," Leising said. "My recent online survey showed 70 percent wanted money refunded or lower taxes and not more state government spending. I don't think people believe government spends their money wisely."
Leising believes the tax cut issue may end up as sort of a gamble - literally.
"I wouldn't be surprised if you see some of the discussions of gaming tied to how much of a tax cut we can give to the governor," Leising said. "Gaming is such an important source of revenue. If we do everything we can to expand, it will give us an opportunity to have more money."
...
See the full article here:
http://www.thecouriertimes.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=280752&SectionID=23&SubSectionID=45&S=1
