Gregg debuts 10-year state roads plan that won't raise taxes, he says

Speaking before a crowd of local state, county and union leaders at the Gary/Chicago International Airport, John Gregg, the Democratic candidate for governor, said the $3.2 billion Gregg/Christina Hale plan would use the proceeds from the sale of the Indiana Toll Road, which he said are now sitting in a bank, to invest in the state's roads, airports, railroads and ports.

He estimated his plan would generate about 54,600 new jobs.

"Lake County is a prime example of being neglected under the previous administrations and watching good-paying jobs leave as a result," Gregg said.

ur roads are in disrepair, our bridges are crumbling and our airports and water ports are sorely underutilized," he said.

He said under the Gregg/Hale plan, $200 million of the existing $500 million Next Generation Trust Fund would be used to provide low-interest loans to local governments to support local projects such as roads, bridges, sidewalks and bike paths.

He said the money would establish the Hoosier State Infrastructure Bank, which would provide revolving loans based on need and priority. He said the bank would be non-political, and would be reviewed and operated by the Indiana Finance Authority, which he said would have representation from the region.

Gregg said the interest rate would vary, but would always be less than the going rate at banks. As the money is paid back, more would be available for other projects.

The remaining $300 million would be earmarked to leverage bonds of up to $3 billion for new local and state projects deemed critical to future economic growth and development. He said the bonds would be paid back with future federal highway distribution money.

Gregg couldn't say how much money Northwest Indiana would be allocated out of the two pots, but added he believes the airport would be at the top of the list.

"It's very, very good that Indiana has a healthy surplus," Gregg said. "But as good as it is, if you neglect the roof over your house in the meantime, it isn't doing much good.

"Indiana is losing the title 'Crossroads of America,'" he said.

The deputy campaign manager for Gregg's Republican opponent, Gov. Mike Pence, viewed Gregg's plan another way.

"Despite John Gregg's desperate attempts to misdirect Hoosiers from his legacy of failure, Indiana is investing billions in roads and bridges with no tax increases under Governor Mike Pence," said Marc Lotter in an email. "In fact, just this week CNBC rated Indiana's transportation infrastructure as the best in the nation. Frankly, John Gregg's roads plan is fiscally irresponsible and would jeopardize our reputation as the Crossroads of America."

The Gregg/Hale plan also would establish an infrastructure roundtable with private sector experts to develop long-term recommendations on infrastructure repairs, new builds and financing options, and would call for greater transparency from Indiana Department of Transportation.

Gregg said the plan also would address drinking water needs, return local control and resources to local governments and increase intermodal opportunities.

Mark Lopez, chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, said the congressman is a staunch supporter of infrastructure investment for economic reasons and as a means to encourage young people to remain in the region.

"We need to improve the infrastructure to access Chicago and the Lake Michigan shoreline," he said.

Lake County Commissioner Michael Repay, D-Hammond, said this is the first time in his six years in office that a partnership between the state and local government could take place.

"It's a long-time coming," he said.

Repay said he hopes Cline Avenue would be included on the list of work to be done.

Newly retired state Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, said it was refreshing to have a gubernatorial candidate who knows what the region's needs are and for region leaders to have a level of comfort knowing that they would be included in the candidate's plans.

Rogers also reminded Gregg about the need to repair 4th Avenue, the road the Gary airport is on.

"It's bumpy," Rogers said of the state road.