Voice of the People

Last year, the Daniels’ administration gave us a surprise proposal to sell the Indiana Toll Road. We were startled by the concept of privatization. We screamed that we were not consulted or that the matter had progressed too quickly and we did not have sufficient information. We needed a study. I was at the front of the protest. Because of this I have been asked why I voted for Senate Bill 1 regarding the Illiana Expressway. Let me assure you that my philosophy has not changed. My approach has.

I will support a study. That is what I said to the Governor while sitting in his office with other members of the Senate. I would support the study if it had legislative oversight and approval. He told me ‘Fine. Write it up.’ And I did that. With the help of a few of my colleagues, the bill was re-written to include two legislative oversight committees, one for each of the proposed expressways. Each would proceed as an independent project. Another amendment, authored by me, requires the committee looking at the Illiana to be composed of an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, House and Senate, with at least two persons each from Porter, Lake and LaPorte counties. By working very hard with all the people involved in this legislation, I was able to get that Amendment through the Republican dominated Senate on a bipartisan vote with almost no opposition. That was a significant victory for our region.

I support a study. We, as a Region, need to assess whether we want or need such an expressway, where it should go, how far it should go, whether it should be a tollway, and whether we are willing to privatize it in order to build. I have not changed my position. I still believe that state government can build highways, and that not every new road in Indiana will have to be “sold” to be built.

Last year I protested, but my comments went unheeded. This year, my approach is to stay in the negotiations for as long as I can have positive input. This bill has a long way to go before the end of the day. It now goes to the House, where it will likely receive serious revisions. I support a study, as long as our legislative oversight has significant input and the final decision returns to the General Assembly. I hope to continue to have input and make sure that District 4 has a place at the bargaining table.

Karen Tallian

State Senator, District 4

Posted 2/22/2007