Bill to fund road repairs passes out of committee
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.