House Republicans want to merge townships with fewer than 1,200 residents -- roughly one-third of the townships in the state. They say doing so will save money. But, people living in those small communities say it will come at a cost to them.

Legislation this session could eliminate nearly a third of all Indiana townships – potentially getting rid of more than 1,200 elected officials.

An Indiana House committee voted Tuesday to create a special summer committee to study the issue.

House Republicans made a change to their road funding bill that would open a $600 million hole in the next state budget.

The proposed first steps would cover less than half of the state’s needs.

Randy Truitt, R-West Lafayette, announced his plans to retire as State Representative Tuesday.

Local government leaders praise the House Republican road funding plan, applauding the potential influx of money to their communities. But taxpayers advocates aren’t happy with the source of that new money.

In addition to raising the gas tax to match a rise in inflation, the proposal would allow local municipalities with populations of at least 20,000 to implement a wheel tax.

That bill will likely push the state to study tolling major interstates from border to border. But, some lawmakers are skeptical about that proposal’s potential.

House Republicans Tuesday elected a new majority leader, one of the highest ranking positions in the caucus. The move came after Rep. Jud McMillin resigned from the position last week amid a sex scandal.