Mary Beth Schneider, writing for the Indy Star, has an article entitled “Major Moves enters phase 2 today” At issue is just how much flexibility the Senate has to shape the plan to the best advantage of Indiana. Senators Garton, Kenley, and Alting, at least, believe that the Senate has a clean slate and that they can proceed as they think best benefits the citizens of Indiana.
Senator Meeks likely has a more realistic view of Governor Daniels’ “take it or leave it (and if you leave it I’m gonna throw a tantrum)” approach to selling the Toll Road.
Take the plan by Sen. Ronnie J. Alting, R-Lafayette, to try to trim the lease with Cintra-Macquarie, the Spanish-Australian consortium that wants to take over the Toll Road, from 75 years to 50.
“Can’t,” Meeks said bluntly.
The contract is set at 75 years, a compromise between the 50 years the governor wanted and the 99 years the consortium wanted, Meeks said. To change it would involve renegotiations and losing some of the $3.85 billion the company is offering, he said.
If Senator Meeks is correct, then the fundamentals of this deal are an up or down vote. Either they lock-in a 75 year tax increase for this money or they don’t. Let’s not sugar coat it. A toll is a use tax on the road. Once this bill is passed, the tax for using our road increases and there is nothing any of us can do for the next 75 years to decrease or eliminate the tax.
I’m not opposed to increasing taxes to pay for the roads. But, I don’t think an irrevocable 75 year tax increase that fall primarily on the motorists of northern Indiana is the right tax for the situation. First of all, the time period is too long. Second, it’s inequitable. Those who don’t live in the area will pay almost nothing for the benefits they receive whereas those who do live in the area will pay more than they ought to for the benefits they receive.
For legislators considering the current deal: do you want to be the person who voted for an irrevocable 75 year tax increase? Because that’s the deal on the table.
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