Senate Bill 585 brings some necessary reforms to Lake County -- changing the makeup of the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority; requiring studies of the need for a trauma center, an academic medical center and a new port in Gary; and more. Left undone is the income tax necessary to make Lake County able to pay its bills.
Sen. Ed Charbonneau's legislation, not yet signed into law by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, rolled a number of major Lake County issues into a single bill. It's good that it passed.
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Left undone in the legislation is the creation and distribution of a Lake County income tax. It isn't popular, but it's necessary.
It's up to lake County Councilwoman Christine Cid, the swing vote, to make this happen so not just the county, but also its communities, can provide necessary services.
More money for these communities could be used to pay down debt, among other uses.
This unfinished business not included in the final version of SB 585 must be addressed by the County Council.
