Last week, HB1011 (Mass Transit) received a hearing in the Roads & Transportation Committee at the Indiana Statehouse. A vote was not taken, but testimony was given for nearly 4 hours on the bill which, if passed this session, would grant voters an opportunity to vote on expanded local funding for mass transit and the creation of a regional transit authority. 40 people signed up to speak with a large split 38-2, in support. Full disclosure, I was on hand and spoke in support of the bill as well.
On Wednesday January 30th, at 10:30am, in House Room 156-D, the Roads & Transportation Committee will hold a vote on the bill. The action can be monitored via live video web-feed at this link (just make sure you select the correct room). You can also follow along with me on Twitter (@CurtAiles) as I will most likely be updating my feed as the news comes in.
If passed, the bill will then go to the House Ways & Means Committee where it’s fiscal policy changes will be debated and then voted on. From there, it would most likely go to the full House for an up or down vote. Then the Senate where it seems chamber President Long has been warming up to transit for Indianapolis (based on comments on local news this past week).
Stay tuned, there is still a long road ahead. If last week was any indication however, there is a lot of support from the citizens on this bill.
Edited on 1/30/2013 @ 11:15am
The bill passed by an 11-1 margin this morning in committee. Mike Seedy (House District 90) was the only no vote after offering amendments including one that attempted to tie specific transit proposals to this bill. Next up will be a hearing in the House Ways & Means Committee. Date TBD.
Waiting is nerve-racking.
Support from Marion County (and suburban) citizens has never been the issue with this legislation in the past. Frankly, outstate legislators don’t care what voters in Marion County think, say, or want. They don’t have to (unless they aspire to statewide office).
The issue always has been local legislator support, and to a degree, the local legislators’ willingness to give an “IOU” to outstate legislators on this issue.
In other words, the outstate legislators will determine the future of this bill. If the Marion County delegation stands up to say they really want it, and it passes, then the Marion County folks will “owe” the outstate folks a vote on something that they want. Maybe now, maybe later.
There is also some risk that this will get tangled up with the Republicans’ efforts to eliminate the four at-large City-County Council positions. Remember, transit got tangled up with Right To Work last year.
Ah, the sausage-making process that is our Legislature!
Want Indy to stay competitive with Detroit, yes Detroit, pass this. Michigan’s Republicant super majority just did.
If this goes to a popular vote in the counties (Ham/Mar) will it be two separate votes, one for each county or one for all the people in both counties combined? If separate, what happens if Marion votes yes and Hamilton votes no? Thanks,
Julia