Earlier this week, I commented on St. Joseph County’s consideration of creating a “North-central” Regional Development Authority (RDA) with LaPorte County. Earlier this session, Rep. Jackie Walorski amended the Toll Road sale legislation to create a Northeastern RDA that excluded her constituents in St. Joseph County. The RDA concept, as it has been discussed this session, seems to mainly be a vehicle for getting more pork for certain areas from the Toll Road sale.
James Wensits, writing for the South Bend Tribune, has a story on further consideration by St. Joseph County on whether to try to get into the Northeastern RDA. The already existing Northwestern RDA which most prominently includes Lake County is discussed, but does not seem to be an attractive option for St. Joseph County which would play second fiddle to the more populous Lake County.
Senator Meeks has indicated an inclination to cut the RDAs out of the legislation along with a provision that would freeze rates for motorists who live in counties through which the toll road runs. Such discriminatory treatment would likely run afoul of the U.S. Constitution. Instead, Sen. Meeks has floated the idea of something like a tax credit for those citizens.
I think these counties along the toll road who are proposing RDAs and coming up with schemes to get a bigger share of the pie are missing the big picture. It’s their citizens who will be most heavily burdened by this 75 year tax increase the Governor seeks to lock-in by means of the Toll Road lease and the consequent toll (tax) increases. I suppose it makes a difference if one’s shackles are heavier or lighter, but the best bet is to fight like hell to keep the shackles off at all.
Or, to use another analogy which isn’t necessarily as accurate but which I think is more fun, there is the one about the man at a party who says to a lady at the party, “Madam, would you sleep with me for a million dollars?” The woman smiles wickedly and says, “why, certainly.” He says, “Hmm, well how about $20.” She gets disgruntled and says, “just what do you think I am, a prostitute?” The man responds, “I think we’ve already established what you are. Now we’re just dickering over the price.”
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