GOP Road Funding Proposal Reaches Conference Committee

INDIANAPOLIS -- Senate lawmakers and House Democrats pushed back Monday against those advocating for the House Republican road funding proposal and its two tax increases.

Lawmakers heard about an hour of public testimony on road funding from local government officials and road construction industry representatives.

All of the people who testified acknowledge none of the plans offered this year provide a permanent solution. But those testifying say the best option is the House Republican plan, which shifts more money to state and local roads by raising gas and cigarette taxes.

“It puts us in a great place and it will be less of an investment and cost down the road if we do it now,” says John Brand, civil engineer.

On the other side, senators like Senate fiscal leader Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, are pushing a one-time infusion of state surplus money. They say this will help in the short term and give the state time to develop a long-term solution over the summer.

And Kenley says the four cent gas tax increase in the House GOP plan isn’t a long-term answer.

“If we had to come back next year and add another four cents, then what do we do?” Kenley says. “What do we tell the taxpayer? We said ‘We got it done this last year but we didn’t really get it done.’”

House and Senate lawmakers will hash out a deal behind closed doors before Thursday’s expected end of session.