The 2006 session of the Indiana General Assembly has reached the midpoint of the legislative session. Successfully proposed bills have made their way through committee and are now being debated on the House floor. Legislation that is approved by the House will then be sent over to the Senate, where further discussion of the legislation is debated. Once the bill has gone through the legislative process and is approved by the Senate, it then returns to the House. The bill will then go back through the House and if approved will be sent on to the Governor for approval. This process involves many different aspects but it is all part of a system based on checks and balances.

One of our main goals during this session is the Governor’s “Major Moves” initiative, this is a public-private agreement to help eliminate Indiana’s roadway funding deficit. The “Major Moves” program will help to create over 130,000 jobs in the state, help make the “Hoosier Heartland” corridor a reality, and help in the construction of over 200 local projects in the state. Earlier this week, Governor Daniel’s received an offer of $3.85 billion from Statewide Mobility Partner (SMP) for a 75 year lease of the toll road.

This will allow many projects including the Hoosier Heartland Corridor to become a reality, without the agreement many projects will continue to be promised but not completed. The lease agreement is binding agreement stipulating many provisions set forth by the state. If any of the requirement listed in the contract are not met, the state reserves the right to terminate the lease agreement and repossess the road with no loss of compensation from SMP. The lease agreement is so strict, that it even mandates the length of time that dead animals can be left on the highway. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is currently overwhelmed with projects that it simply can not fund. “Major Moves” would give INDOT the funding that it needs to complete every project that is currently on the books for the next ten years.

To help citizens stay up to date, House Republicans have initiated a website where proceedings of the House Floor and selected committees can be viewed. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the broadcast by visiting http://www.in.gov/legislative .

I look forward to hearing any of your questions or concerns. Please feel free to contact me at 1-800-382-9841 or e-mail me at r24@in.gov.