Bill to fund road repairs passes out of committee

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Senate Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy passed legislation authored by Sen. Connie Lawson (R-Danville) to allow Putnam County to have additional funds for maintenance and repair of roads. The bill passed unanimously by a vote of 11-0.

Lawson authored Senate Bill 172 to allow county officials to use 10 percent of its hazardous waste disposal tax revenues to help cover cost of maintaining and repairing county roads in Putnam County.

"By expanding the use of these funds, we can work to ensure safe passage to and from the hazardous waste landfill in Russell Township," Lawson said. "Having a modern infrastructure is not only important for the transporting of these types of materials but is also a vital economic tool for Putnam County to help foster job growth in our communities."

With the county struggling to fund much-needed road repairs, the added funds would help alleviate the problem on roads in Russell Township. The influx of money to Russell Township would, in turn, free up money for roads elsewhere in the county.

Lawson and Rep. Jim Baird (R-Greencastle) attended the Dec. 19 Putnam County Commissioners meeting to inform them of their intentions to introduce the legislation.

Currently the hazardous waste disposal tax funds are used to monitor and test for contamination of land near the disposal facility and to provide training and equipment to local public health and safety officers used in handling hazardous substances and waste emergencies.

SB 172 now heads to the full Senate for further action.

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  • i would surely hope that none of that money goes to just filling pot holes. that does not work and is some real bs that our men have to go out and spend all day with shovels putting hot mix in holes. it only last 1-3 weeks then the holes are much bigger and worse than they were before filling. i just experienced this a couple of months ago. was all excited i saw our town crew out patching a road that was real bad. within one week over 50% of the holes were bare and within 3 weeks it was awful again. so quit wasting our money and time on a temporary fix. we are tired of our money being thrown out the window

    -- Posted by badboy46120 on Wed, Jan 11, 2012, at 11:05 AM
  • THANK YOU!!!! Thats a GREAT job of REAL REPRESENTAION!!! Keep up the good work!

    -- Posted by Ya THUNK on Wed, Jan 11, 2012, at 1:05 PM
  • Now let's hope they actually fix the holes and not just patch them!!!

    -- Posted by countrygirl34 on Wed, Jan 11, 2012, at 5:36 PM
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