Governor Signs Two Road Funding Bills Into Law

WESTFIELD, Ind. --  Gov. Mike Pence Wednesday signed two bills into law that give state and local governments an influx of about $1 billion in road funding over the next two years after. 

Most of the legislation’s money is short-term or one-time dollars, and much of the local road funding comes from a one-time distribution of local income tax reserves.  The state’s portion will come from the state budget surplus.  But Pence says a portion of the bills that redirects some of the state sales tax on gasoline will be more than a short-term answer.

“That will lay a foundation for $100 million in funding being available to our local communities every year from now going forward,” he said.

Westfield Mayor Andy Cook hosted the bill signing and says his community benefitted from smaller increases in road funding in recent years.

“I know of no government asset that more often touches the lives of nearly every Hoosier, nearly every day,” Cook said.

The new legislation also created a task force to craft a long term solution for both state and local roads.