Before our legislators throw millions of dollars down a black hole called the South Shore expansion, here are some questions that need to be answered:
1) If House Bill 1220 is going to divert $350 million in sales tax money away from the state, how will that affect the Governor's property tax reform plan?
2) Just exactly how much money is needed to plan and build South Shore commuter rail service to Lowell and Valparaiso? Do we have a firm price tag or is it just a guess right now?
3) Does the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District make a profit annually or are they subsidized by the state? Just look at the CTA and its continual money woes to see this is a valid question.
4) Rather than using STIF money to finance the South Shore expansion, could private investors be used to fund this project?
5) The Northwest Indiana Forum predicts the South Shore expansion will create 26,000 new jobs. What kind of jobs are they, are they permanent jobs, what kind of wages will they pay and where will they be located?
6) Is this sales tax diversion a one time deal or will it become permanent as the costs of building this commuter rail service go up? And undoubtedly, the costs will go UP.
7) The Northwest Indiana Forum also predicts new businesses will spring up around the South Shore expansion. Take a look at the Hammond, East Chicago and Hegewisch train stations. What kind of new businesses have located in those areas?
8) What kind of projections do we have for ridership on the Lowell and Valparaiso rail service? Does it justify spending this kind of money if only a small segment of the population is to be served?
9) Given the South Shore's history of delays and poor service, how will these issues be addressed with the new rail lines?
The public has a right to honest, legitimate answers to these questions. Not some political spin by public officials wanting to get re-elected and certainly not propaganda by those who stand to make alot of money from the South Shore expansion. Take what you read in all those glossy mailings with a grain of salt. Ask for and demand truthful answers from our legislators. After all, it is our money at the state and federal levels that will be spent!