RTA Funding Source Can Be Tipping Point

By Dennis Rittenmeyer, President, RTA of Lake County

On behalf of the Regional Transportation Authority of Lake County, I want to thank those who worked tirelessly for a dedicated funding source for the RTA during the 113th Session.

We were not successful due to a unique circumstance that didn’t even allow our legislation to be heard! But let no one doubt the resolve of those dedicated to the proposition that transportation can be the economic engine for our county and state.

Who can question the long-term impact of an extended commuter rail system, along with an enhanced transportation system for fixed route and demand response services? It could be the tipping point for an economic revival that will help our entire state.

The longer we wait, the worse the condition of our roads. The longer we wait, the more it will cost our cities that rely on property taxes to fund transportation. The longer we wait, the longer it will take to lay track.

Because of overwhelming local support, we entered the most recent session with high hopes of establishing a 1% food and beverage tax. The Lake County Council had even reaffirmed support of this funding mechanism before the session began.

Approval would have provided funding and oversight for fixed route and demand response services, along with the local match of $2 million toward a federally funded feasibility study for the Westlake Corridor.

But the news of a long-awaited Indiana Supreme Court decision involving St. Joseph County compelled our state’s leadership to halt consideration out of concern that all geographic specific legislation might be held unconstitutional.

This news not only was a setback to an integrated transportation system for Indiana’s second largest county, but it sent shockwaves threatening some 500 existing bills, including the laws that established gaming upon which our state is now so dependent.

This was not the first time our bill had failed to be heard. Rep. John Aguilera (D - East Chicago) is deserving of praise for leading this initiative in the last two sessions. Also key was the significant leadership of Rep. Chester Dobis (D- Merrillville), along with Rep. Charlie Brown (D - Gary) and others in the Lake County delegation. We thank them all.

Others helped as well. But I must acknowledge the support of Congressman Peter J. Visclosky (D-lst), who has repeatedly stated he is tired of seeing Indiana tax dollars fund transportation systems in other states. Now that we understand that the concern about geographic-specific legislation has been put to rest in Indiana, we plan to re-submit this bill.

Let us be clear about what we are asking. We are not asking the state to fund the RTA. We are asking for enabling legislation so that the Lake County Council can formally enact the 1% food and beverage tax. This will allow us to solve our own problems of a transportation system in need of reform, coordination, and enhanced services.

Simply, we are asking Indiana to allow us to enact a food and beverage tax to lay the foundation of a first-rate transportation system. Eleven other counties have a food and beverage tax for economic development purposes. Now it’s our turn!

In the coming months, we will also seek endorsements from the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District and the Northern Indiana Legislative Transportation Service Committee.

Most importantly, we will pursue grassroots support to finally achieve a dedicated funding source. Our case will rest upon this rock: the funding of the RTA can help usher in a new era!

For a stronger Lake County and a stronger Indiana, we will seek enabling legislation in the 114th General Assembly to move this entire community forward! Join us and be part of history.

Dr. Dennis Rittenmeyer is president of Calumet College of St. Joseph. He has been president of the RTA since it was created by the Lake County County Council in December, 2001.