Indiana lawmakers revisit tolling for road funding fix
Why it matters: Much of the attention paid to House Bill 1461 has been to other aspects of what author Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) has called "pages of options" to address the state's $4 billion road funding shortfall.
However, largely overlooked provisions could make it easier for Indiana to begin tolling on any of the state's existing interstates, which a previous study estimated would bring in nearly $40 billion in revenue over two decades.
Roughly 100,000 people drive on the I-465 loop daily, many living and working in central Indiana.
Driving the news: Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis) told Axios he plans to introduce an amendment today to HB 1461 that would strike provisions making it easier for the state to start tolling road users.
"If we did this bill the way it is, I think it is a lot easier to get to a place where you could toll 465, or 70 or 65 or any other roadways," Freeman said.
He tried to remove the tolling provisions from HB 1461 in committee, but his amendment was defeated.
The other side: "The current way we fund roads just does not work anymore," said Sen. Mike Crider (R-Greenfield), the bill's sponsor. "The gas tax is not a viable method anymore. We have to leave all options on the table, which includes giving the government the option of tolling if that's what we decide."
Between the lines: Indianapolis leaders have supported HB 1461 mainly because of a separate provision that would provide the city with an extra $50 million for its crumbling roads.
Flashback: In 2017, lawmakers directed the Indiana Department of Transportation to study tolling and create an implementation plan and gave the governor new authority to implement interstate tolls without General Assembly input.
When INDOT was preparing the study, the department said it wanted to take a closer look at I-465, not ruling out tolls for commuters in the Indianapolis area, but then-Gov. Eric Holcomb directed INDOT to leave I-465 out of the conversation.
The department finished the implementation plan in 2018, and Holcomb promptly said thanks, but no thanks and shelved it.
The intrigue: Gov. Mike Braun hasn't taken the same public stance against tolling.
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