December 1, 2015

Dear Commissioner:

Thank you for your participation in the Indiana Association of County Commissioners

(IACC) “Adopt a Legislator” program. We look forward to working with you on this important

endeavor.

As you likely know, funding for Indiana’s transportation infrastructure will be one of the key

issues addressed in the 2016 Legislative Session. IACC is one of many groups advocating for an

additional $500 million in local funding to fill potholes, maintain gravel roads, relieve congestion and

repair our aging bridges. The Indiana General Assembly must act to implement immediate fixes to

alleviate funding shortages as well as long-term solutions to provide more funding in the future. The

IACC supports legislation that will provide local officials and decision makers with the funds they

need to maintain and develop Indiana’s roads.

In mid-October, Governor Pence unveiled his 21st Century Crossroads proposal, a plan that

would make $1 billion in new road funding available over the next four years. While this plan is a

positive recognition of the need for more road funding in the state of Indiana, we know that a

minimum of $500 million is needed at the local level solely for maintenance purposes. We know

that all four legislative caucuses are talking about this important issue. We appreciate their

commitment to this important conversation and urge them to take action during the next legislative

session.

The Board of Directors of the IACC, with the assistance of Barnes & Thornburg, has

developed an effective advocacy program to address this issue. Your commitment to the “Adopt a

Legislator” program is a necessary element to achieving our goal. We hope you will find the

enclosed documents to be effective tools that will answer your questions about communicating

with your elected Legislators and State Administration officials. We have also included

information to assist you in communicating your concerns to your constituents, key community

organizations and local businesses. We thank you for your involvement in 2015 IACC Annual

Conference, and we look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Yager

Executive Director, IACC

To: Indiana Association of County Commissioners

Re: Background Information on Transportation Funding

Legislation

As you know, the Indiana Association of County Commissioners (IACC) was established over

100 years ago to promote County Government and County Commissioners. The IACC is an

independent association representing all 92 of Indiana’s Counties and is composed of a Board of

Directors and a full-time Executive Director. The mission of the IACC is to provide the best

education and leadership support for our County Commissioners to strengthen their influence

throughout Indiana.

In the 2016 Legislative Session, the IACC will work with Legislators on proposals to increase

local funding for roads and other transportation-related infrastructure. The IACC is committed to

supporting efforts that give local officials more control and flexibility, allowing them to

provide the best quality of service to their constituents.

Recent efforts to increase transportation funding have not gone unnoticed by the IACC. We

appreciate the leadership of our legislature to begin to address significant infrastructure needs at

the local level. Over the past two legislative sessions, the Governor and the Indiana General

Assembly ended diversions from the Motor Vehicle Highway Fund and dedicated part of the sales

tax collected on fuel purchases to highway funds. Additionally, lawmakers developed a new way

for locals to adopt a wheel tax and the Governor supported the creation and funding of the “Major

Moves” 2020 trust fund.

While this year’s Legislative Session will include a number of hot-button issues, House Speaker

Brian Bosma named transportation funding as a top priority for Legislators in 2016. As county-

elected officials, it is the responsibility of members of the IACC to closely follow all

legislation regarding transportation funding and inform constituents of State Legislators’

actions.

2016 Position Statement On Transportation Funding Legislation

The IACC supports legislative proposals that aim to increase transportation funding at the

local level. With 84% of local officials reporting underfunded transportation infrastructure-

related projects, the IAAC believes that increasing local transportation funding is in the best

interest of all Hoosiers. While recent efforts to increase transportation funding are a step in

the right direction, Legislators must act to direct $500 million to localities themselves.

The IACC believes that all proposals for increasing transportation funding should be

considered by the Indiana General Assembly. Current proposals include dedicating more of

the sales tax collected on fuel purchases to highway accounts, indexing state gas and diesel

taxes and raising the overall state gas and diesel tax. Other ideas include implementing a

highway user fee on hybrid and electric powered vehicles and imposing a new statewide

vehicle registration fee. While these proposals are meant to address immediate funding

needs, other solutions, like implementing tolls for specific projects and implementing a user

fee for all drivers, may help boost road funding in the future. These proposals will make

Indiana roads safe to drive on, boost economic development statewide, and immediately

create more local jobs for Hoosiers.

2016 Talking Points on Transportation Funding Legislation

1. Local units of government throughout Indiana are falling behind on preserving their

existing roadways. Local roads and streets are vital to the transportation system in Indiana,

as these are the roads on which residents live and businesses grow.

Local units of government are in need of an additional $500 million to meet

projected costs. This amount represents the funding needed to make necessary

repairs to the current system and does not include the costs of upgrading the

system to create new roads.

At this time, 84% of local officials report transportation infrastructure projects that

are underfunded.

2. Legislation must be passed to provide immediate fixes for the current gap in road funding

as well as long-term solutions.

Dedicate more of the sales tax collected from fuel purchases to highway accounts

– an additional $550 million annually.

Index the state gas and diesel tax – an additional $20 million annually.

Raise the state gas and diesel tax – each penny increase creates an additional $40

million annually.

Implement highway user fees on hybrid and electric powered vehicles – an additional $7 million annually and more as the fleet grows.

Impose a new statewide vehicle registration fee of $50 – an additional $300 million annually.

Implement tolls for specific projects or to fund overall road maintenance and

improvements

Consider converting gas and diesel tax to a per-mile-driven user fee possibly based

on vehicle weight, time of travel, distance traveled, and other factors.

2016 Legislative Overview

The 2016 Legislative Session will reconvene on January 5, 2016. Legislators will consider

various solutions for closing the gap in state and local transportation funding for

infrastructure maintenance. The Indiana Association of County Commissioners supports

proposals that increase transportation funding and specifically support funding increases for

localities.

Representatives from Indiana counties report an immediate need for an additional $500

million in road funding for localities. Pavement maintenance and resurfacing are top

priorities for local officials.

IACC supports increased transportation funding because:

The majority of Indiana counties have transportation infrastructure-related projects or

needs that are underfunded.

The funding gap for Indiana’s local road systems is $500 million annually, even after

recent efforts to increase funding

Improved transportation infrastructure will boost economic development and create

jobs by attracting logistic companies, manufacturing facilities and service providers.

What can you do?

1. Stay informed on the issue of transportation funding.

2. Contact your local Legislators about their positions on this issue and encourage them

to support increased transportation funding at the local level.

3. Enlist the support of influential business and community leaders.

4. Follow the progress of this state level legislation in 2016.

2016 Action Plan Checklist

Supporting IACC’s position on Increased Road Funding

Commit to the “Adopt a Legislator” program and select a Legislator to connect

with on the topic of road funding.

Dedicate time each month, beginning in December, to contact your Legislator

and discuss their position on increasing road funding.

Ask the Legislator about their position on increasing road funding and ask them

for a commitment to vote in favor of legislation that closes the $500 million gap

in local road funding.

Communicate with Stephanie Yager after each discussion with your Legislator.

Share with her your Legislator’s position on proposals to increase road funding.

Enlist the support of influential business and community leaders and urge them to

contact the Legislator as well.

Follow up with your Legislator throughout Session and note any change in his or

her position.

Track all Action Alerts on legislation containing proposals for increasing road

funding.

2016 Legislator Contact Info

Indiana House of Representatives: 1-800-382-9842

First Last District State House Phone State House E-Mail

Linda Lawson 1 (317) 232-0243 h1@in.gov

Donna Harris 2 (317) 232-9987 h2@in.gov

Charlie Brown 3 (317) 232-9798 h3@in.gov

Edmond Soliday 4 (317) 232-9619 h4@in.gov

Dale DeVon 5 (317) 232-9678 h5@in.gov

B. Patrick Bauer 6 (317) 232-9987 h6@in.gov

David L. Niezgodski 7 (317) 232-9827 h7@in.gov

Ryan Dvorak 8 (317) 234-9048 h8@in.gov

Scott Pelath 9 (317) 232-9628 h9@in.gov

Charles Moseley 10 (317) 233-5428 h10@in.gov

Mike Aylesworth 11 (317) 234-9447 h11@in.gov

Bill Fine 12 (317) 234-9380 h12@in.gov

Sharon Negele 13 (317) 232-9816 h13@in.gov

Vernon G. Smith 14 (317) 232-9976 h14@in.gov

Harold Slager 15 (317) 232-9671 h15@in.gov

Douglas Gutwein 16 (317) 232-9509 h16@in.gov

Timothy Patrick Harman 17 (317) 232-9981 h17@in.gov

David Alan Wolkins 18 (317) 232-9671 h18@in.gov

Julie Olthoff 19 (317) 232-9850 h19@in.gov

Tom Dermody 20 (317) 232-9850 h20@in.gov

Timothy Wesco 21 (317) 232-9648 h21@in.gov

Curt Nisly 22 (317) 232-9678 h22@in.gov

William C. Friend 23 (317) 232-9981 h23@in.gov

Donna Schaibley 24 (317) 232-9863 h24@in.gov

Don Lehe 25 (317) 232-9509 h25@in.gov

Randy Truitt 26 (317) 232-9619 h26@in.gov

Sheila Klinker 27 (317) 232-9875 h27@in.gov

Jeffrey Thompson 28 (317) 232-9651 h28@in.gov

Kathy Kreag Richardson 29 (317) 234-9380 h29@in.gov

Mike Karickhoff 30 (317) 234-3827 h30@in.gov

Kevin Mahan 31 (317) 232-9509 h31@in.gov

Anthony Cook 32 (317) 232-9753 h32@in.gov

Greg Beumer 33 (317) 234-3827 h33@in.gov

Sue Errington 34 (317) 232-9976 h34@in.gov

(Continued)

Melanie Wright 35 (317) 232-9628 h35@in.gov

Terri Jo Austin 36 (317) 232-9976 h36@in.gov

Todd Huston 37 (317) 234-3827 h37@in.gov

Heath VanNatter 38 (317) 232-9619 h38@in.gov

Jerry Torr 39 (317) 232-9677 h39@in.gov

Greg Steuerwald 40 (317) 232-9833 h40@in.gov

Tim Brown 41 (317) 232-9651 h41@in.gov

Alan Morrison 42 (317) 234-2993 h42@in.gov

Clyde Kersey 43 (317) 232-9991 h43@in.gov

Jim Baird 44 (317) 232-9850 h44@in.gov

Bruce Borders 45 (317) 234-9499 h45@in.gov

Bob Heaton 46 (317) 232-9620 h46@in.gov

John Price 47 (317) 232-9769 h47@in.gov

Doug Miller 48 (317) 232-9620 h48@in.gov

Wes Culver 49 (317) 232-9678 h49@in.gov

Daniel Leonard 50 (317) 232-9793 h50@in.gov

Dennis Zent 51 (317) 232-9674 h51@in.gov

Ben Smaltz 52 (317) 232-9648 h52@in.gov

Robert Cherry 53 (317) 232-9651 h53@in.gov

Thomas E. Saunders 54 (317) 232-9753 h54@in.gov

Cindy Ziemke 55 (317) 232-9815 h55@in.gov

Richard Hamm 56 (317) 232-9769 h56@in.gov

Sean Eberhart 57 (317) 232-9793 h57@in.gov

Woody Burton 58 (317) 232-9648 h58@in.gov

Milo Smith 59 (317) 232-9620 h59@in.gov

Peggy Mayfield 60 (317) 232-9816 h60@in.gov

Matt Pierce 61 (317) 232-9794 h61@in.gov

Matt Ubelhor 62 (317) 232-9863 h62@in.gov

Mike Braun 63 (317) 234-9447 h63@in.gov

Thomas Washburne 64 (317) 234-2993 h64@in.gov

Eric Koch 65 (317) 232-9674 h65@in.gov

Terry A. Goodin 66 (317) 232-9798 h66@in.gov

Randy Frye 67 (317) 234-3827 h67@in.gov

Randy Lyness 68 (317) 234-9380 h68@in.gov

Jim Lucas 69 (317) 234-9499 h69@in.gov

Rhonda Rhoads 70 (317) 232-9863 h70@in.gov

Steven R. Stemler 71 (317) 232-9834 h71@in.gov

Ed Clere 72 (317) 232-9753 h72@in.gov

Steve Davisson 73 (317) 232-9753 h73@in.gov

Lloyd Arnold 74 (317) 232-9815 h74@in.gov

Ron Bacon 75 (317) 232-9833 h75@in.gov

Wendy McNamara 76 (317) 232-9816 h76@in.gov

Gail C. Riecken 77 (317) 232-9991 h77@in.gov

Holli Sullivan 78 (317) 232-9671 h78@in.gov

Matthew Lehman 79 (317) 232-9499 h79@in.gov

Phil GiaQuinta 80 (317) 233-5248 h80@in.gov

Martin Carbaugh 81 (317) 232-9643 h81@in.gov

David Ober 82 (317) 232-9643 h82@in.gov

(Continued)

Chris Judy 83 (317) 234-2993 h83@in.gov

Bob Morris 84 (317) 232-9769 h84@in.gov

Casey Cox 85 (317) 232-9674 h85@in.gov

Ed Delaney 86 (317) 232-9798 h86@in.gov

Christina Hale 87 (317) 233-5248 h87@in.gov

Brian Bosma 88 (317) 232-9677 h88@in.gov

Cindy Kirchhoefer 89 (317) 232-9793 h89@in.gov

Mike Speedy 90 (317) 232-9833 h90@in.gov

Robert W. Behning 91 (317) 232-9643 h91@in.gov

Karlee Macer 92 (317) 232-9834 h92@in.gov

David Nason Frizzell 93 (317) 232-9981 h93@in.gov

Cherish Pryor 94 (317) 232-9794 h94@in.gov

John Bartlett 95 (317) 232-9987 h95@in.gov

Gregory W. Porter 96 (317) 232-9875 h96@in.gov

Justin Moed 97 (317) 232-9834 h97@in.gov

Robin Shackleford 98 (317) 234-9798 9671

h98@in.gov

Vanessa Summers 99 (317) 234-9048 h99@in.gov

Dan Forestal 100 (317) 232-9827 h100@in.gov

Indiana State Senate: 1-800-382-9467

First

Last

District

State House Phone

E-Mail

Frank Mrvan, Jr. 1 (317) 232-9847 s1@in.gov

Lonnie Randolph 2 (317) 232-9432 s2@in.gov

Earline S. Rogers 3 (317) 232-9491 s3@in.gov

Karen Tallian 4 (317) 232-9849 s4@in.gov

Edward E. Charbonneau 5 (317) 232-9494 s5@in.gov

Rick Niemeyer 6 (317) 232-9490 s6@in.gov

Brandt Hershman 7 (317) 232-9840 s7@in.gov

Jim Arnold 8 (317) 232-9532 s8@in.gov

Ryan D. Mishler 9 (317) 233-0930 s9@in.gov

John E. Broden 10 (317) 232-9849 s10@in.gov

Joseph C. Zakas 11 (317) 232-9490 s11@in.gov

Carlin Yoder 12 (317) 232-9984 s12@in.gov

Susan Glick 13 (317) 232-9493 s13@in.gov

Dennis K. Kruse 14 (317) 233-0930 s14@in.gov

Thomas J. Wyss 15 (317) 232-9807 s15@in.gov

David C. Long 16 (317) 232-9416 s16@in.gov

Jim Banks 17 (317) 232-9808 s17@in.gov

Randy Head 18 (317) 232-9488 s18@in.gov

Travis Holdman 19 (317) 232-9807 s19@in.gov

Howard Luke Kenley 20 (317) 232-9453 s20@in.gov

James Russell Buck 21 (317) 232-9466 s21@in.gov

Ron Alting 22 (317) 232-9532 s22@in.gov

Phil Boots 23 (317) 234-9054 s23@in.gov

Pete Miller 24 (317) 232-9414 s24@in.gov

Tim Lanane 25 (317) 232-9427 s25@in.gov

Doug Eckerty 26 (317) 232-9466 s26@in.gov

Jeff Raatz 27 (317) 232-9488 s27@in.gov

Michael Crider 28 (317) 232-9493 s28@in.gov

Mike Delph 29 (317) 232-9541 s29@in.gov

Scott Schneider 30 (317) 232-9808 s30@in.gov

James W. Merritt 31 (317) 232-9533 s31@in.gov

Patricia L. Miller 32 (317) 232-9489 s32@in.gov

Greg Taylor 33 (317) 232-9432 s33@in.gov

Jean Breaux 34 (317) 232-9534 s34@in.gov

R. Michael Young 35 (317) 232-9517 s35@in.gov

Brent Waltz 36 (317) 234-9425 s36@in.gov

Rodric Bray 37 (317) 232-9426 s37@in.gov

Jon Ford 38 (317) 234-9443 s38@in.gov

Eric Bassler 39 (317) 234-9443 s39@in.gov

(Continued)

Mark Stoops 40 (317) 232-9847 s40@iga.gov

Greg Walker 41 (317) 232-9984 s41@in.gov

Jean Leising 42 (317) 232-9984 s42@in.gov

Chip Perfect 43 (317) 232-9541 s43@in.gov

Brent Steele 44 (317) 232-9814 s44@in.gov

Jim Smith 45 (317) 234-9426 s45@in.gov

Ron Grooms 46 (317) 234-9425 s46@in.gov

Erin Houchin 47 (317) 232-9814 s47@in.gov

Mark Messmer 48 (317) 234-9411 s48@in.gov

Jim Tomes 49 (317) 232-9414 s49@in.gov

Vaneta Becker 50 (317) 232-9494 s50@in.gov

2016 IACC Legislative Agenda

Indiana Association of County

Commissioners (IACC)

• Formed over 100 years ago

• Represents all 92 of Indiana counties

• Promotes County Government and County

Commissioners

• Composed of Board of Directors and full-time

Executive Director

• Mission: To provide the best education and

leadership support for County Commissioners

and strengthen their influence throughout Indiana

Issues in 2016

• Transportation Funding • Civil Rights Protection for LGBT

Individuals • Education and Incentives for

Teachers • Drug & Crime Prevention, Addiction &

Treatment

Road Funding

• Coalition of interest groups advocating for an additional $500 million in local transportation funding:

- Association of Indiana Counties - Build Indiana Council - Indiana Association of Cities and Towns - IACHES - Indiana Corn Marketing Council - IACC - Indiana Farm Bureau - Indiana Soybean Alliance - MPO Council

Road Funding - Continued

• Local units of government in Indiana are in need of an additional $500 million.

• This represents funding needed to fill potholes, maintain roads, relieve congestion or repair our aging bridges.

• This amount does not include the cost of upgrading road systems or creating commerce connections to spur economic development.

Road Funding - Continued

• Local units of government throughout Indiana are falling behind on preserving their existing roadways.

- Currently, 84% of local officials report transportation infrastructure projects that are underfunded.

• Legislation must be passed to provide immediate funds for transportation infrastructure as well as long-term funding sources.

Possible Road Funding Coalition Solutions

• Dedicate more of the state sales tax on fuel purchases to highway accounts ($550 million) • Index the state gas and diesel tax ($20 million) • Raise the state gas and diesel tax. Each penny increase raises $40 million annually.

Additional Funding Proposals

• Implement highway user fees on hybrid and electric powered vehicles. This will raise an estimated $7 million annually, increasing as the fleet grows.

• Impose a new statewide vehicle registration fee. An annual fee of $50 would raise $300 million annually.

Additional Funding Proposals

• Consider converting gas and diesel tax to per mile driven user fee based on vehicle weight, time of travel, distance traveled, etc.

• Continue seeking long-term, dedicated, stable and adequate sources of road funding for Indiana.

Governor Pence’s Plan

• On October 13th, Governor Pence unveiled his

21st Century Crossroads proposal, a plan that

will make $1 billion in new road funding

available over the next four years, without

increasing taxes. • The plan focuses on state highways

and bridges.

• The goal is to resurface 16,000 miles

of state highways and repair more

than 5,200 bridges over the next 15

years.

Governor Pence’s Plan

• Funding - Use budget reserves

- The state is projected to have more than $2 billion

in reserves beginning in July 2016.

- Approximately $241 million may be invested in

roads and bridges while maintaining 11.5% of the

state’s annual budget in reserves.

- During upcoming budget sessions of the

Legislature, Governor Pence would propose an

additional $150 million of funding in years 2018,

2019 and 2020 for a total of $450 million.

Governor Pence’s Plan

• Next Generation Trust Fund

- The 2006 Major Moves program invested $500 million into the trust fund. An accelerated distribution of interest in 2019 would contribute an additional $50 million in road funding.

- New bond financing: Indiana’s AAA credit rating and extraordinarily low interest rates will provide an additional $240 million.

- Refinancing existing bonds: At current interest rates, refinancing existing bonds will contribute $6.5 million in savings.

House Democratic Caucus Plan

• House Minority Leader Scott Pelath stated that Governor Pence’s plan is “meek” and ignores the needs of local governments while placing a greater burden on taxpayers.

• Rep. Pelath proposed an alternative Crossroads Tomorrow plan, directing proceeds from the state’s gas and special fuels taxes to state and local infrastructure programs.

• Together, these taxes generate $525 million annually and $2 billion over the time frame of the Governor’s plan.

House Republican Caucus Plan

• House Speaker Brian Bosma named

increased road funding as a top priority in

the 2016 session.

• Along with the proposals included in

Governor Pence’s plan, tax increases

are a possibility.

House Republican Caucus Plan

• Rep. Ed Soliday will lead the discussion on

transportation funding.

- Rep. Soliday wants to include local maintenance of efforts,

but also wants to loosen rules for locals and include more

revenue sources

Move away from COIT Council, food & beverage tax

revenue, cigarette tax, LOIT flexibility, new ways to

enact a wheel tax

- Legislators will study tolling and alternative fuel vehicles.

- Block grants could be used as a “short-term” solution for

projects via INDOT grant process. Could create $100 million

in funding.

Senate Republican Caucus Plan

• President Pro Tempore David Long rejects the

claim by Democrats that the state has been

underfunding infrastructure since the GOP

supermajority took control in 2011.

• Indiana invested nearly $4 billion in new roads

following the 2006 lease of the Indiana Toll Road

and has dedicated $1.3 billion in maintenance since

2013.

• According to Senator Long, any long-term

infrastructure funding plan will have to wait until the

2017 budget session, but he looks forward to

seeing the ideas put forth by House leaders.

Senate Democratic Caucus Plan

• Senate Democrats argue that the Governor’s

plan does not provide the resources needed to

improve the local roads and bridges used by

most Hoosiers.

- More funding and decision-making power should

go to local governments.

• Legislators must consider increasing the

state gas tax and diverting more of that

money to localities as proposed by Rep.

Pelath.

Indiana Chamber of Commerce

• The Indiana Chamber identified economic

development in the form of improved

transportation infrastructure as one of their key

legislative issues for the 2016 session.

• The Chamber supports an array of

strategies to establish a sustainable

funding stream for the state’s roads,

highways, bridges and other surface

transportation infrastructure.

Indiana Chamber of Commerce

• Strategies supported by the Indiana Chamber:

- Dedicating more of the state’s sales tax on

fuel sales to infrastructure.

- Increasing fuel excise taxes.

- Indexation

- Tolling

- Fees on vehicles using alternative energy

sources.

- Implementing other user fees.

- Maximizing existing local taxing authority.

Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce • Transportation funding is also a priority for the

Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce.

• The Indy Chamber will advocate for

comprehensive and sustainable multi-modal

transportation funding that addresses both

immediate needs and develops long-term

solutions.

• Solutions must balance the needs of both state

and local governments and prioritize

maintenance, rehabilitation and expansion of

existing transportation infrastructure.

Action Plan Checklist

• Adopt your Legislator

• Contact your Legislator prior to the start of session

• Maintain contact with your Legislator throughout the session

• Ask your Legislator about their position on transportation funding

• Follow up with your Legislator and note any changes in his or her position

• Enlist the support of influential business and community leaders

• Track legislative progress with Action Alert updates

Questions?

Contact Information

Stephanie Yager, IACC Executive Director

5294 St Rd 46 E

Nashville, IN 47448

812-988-4233 phone

812-988-4213 fax

stephanie@indianacountycommissioners.com

www.indianacountycommissioners.com