Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that would allow voters in four Northern Indiana counties to vote on the establishment of a regional transportation board, which would supervise and direct all public transportation issues in the area, and have the ability to levy up to a .25% income tax to cover expenses.

Highlights:

-Allows for the issuing of bonds to meet obligations required by the regional transportation district (Sec. 1). -Requires that the regional transportation board be composed of one elected official from each member county, appointed by the governor; one county council member from each member county, being either the county council president or a council member that he or she has designated; and one member representing the rest of the state, one passenger member, and one employee of the district, who must be residents of the transportation district and are appointed by the governor (Sec. 5). -Establishes that a referendum on the question of whether to create a regional transportation board will take place in May of 2010 in Lake, LaPorte, Porter, and St. Joseph Counties, and that if two or more counties vote to establish it, then the board is created and has jurisdiction over all counties that voted "yes". (Sec. 6). -Outlines the exact wording that will appear on the ballot (Sec. 6). -Outlines the purpose of the district as follows: setting goals and objectives; coordinating the provision of public transportation; working with the state government; imposing taxes and entering into financial agreements as necessary; carrying out centralized services; and informing the public with performance measures (Sec. 6). -Requires a majority vote to authorize action, with the chairperson only voting to break a tie (Sec. 6). -Outlines the powers and limitations of the proposed district (Sec. 6). -Allows the board to levy an income tax increase of no more than .25% for necessary expenses (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that changes guidelines regarding the membership of cities and counties in a development authority, and makes appropriations to transportation related projects.

Highlights:

-Requires that a city or county that participates in the development authority remain a member for at least 10 years (Sec. 2). -Sets process for early withdrawal from the development authority (Sec. 2). -Requires separate accounting for money accumulated or designated for construction, reconstruction, renovation, purchase, lease, or acquisition of a West Lake commuter rail line (Sec. 3). -$38 million appropriated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to various transportation related projects (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text

Highlights:

Project Vote Smart staff and volunteers are working hard to produce a clear and accurate summary of the contents of the bill. At this time, we have posted the voting record for HB 1607 so you can see how the office holder representing you has voted on this piece of legislation. We will have a detailed summary available as soon as possible. For further status information, call the Voter's Research Hotline at 1-888-VOTE-SMART (1-888-868-3762).