Public Testimony: House Road Funding Bill Better Than Senate's

A preference for one chamber’s version of the road funding bill has emerged as the public got what’s likely its last chance this session to testify on the measure.

During testimony from local officials, logistics and trucking industry representatives, union leaders, and others, a common theme materialized: they like the House version of the road funding bill better than the Senate’s.

Building and Construction Trades Council leader Pete Rimsans says the House bill creates a bigger return on investment.

“We look at the difference between the House and Senate version being about 4,800 jobs,” Rimsans says.

The House bill would generate more than $1 billion a year by 2021; the Senate plan, around $800 million. The House plan shifts the sales tax on gasoline entirely to pay for roads; the Senate’s does not. And the Senate proposal spreads its 10-cent gas tax increase over two years; the House’s does it all at once.

But some did speak in favor of at least parts of the Senate version. John Thompson owns logistics, energy, and engineering companies in Indiana. He supports the $75 hybrid vehicle fee created in the Senate.

“All users need to pay their fair share,” Thompson says.

House and Senate lawmakers will develop the bill’s final form over the next two weeks.