Laura Blaney on the RDA

GUEST COMMENTARY: Fight against RDA is about low taxes:

By Laura Shurr Blaney - Porter County Council Member(reprinted with permission from the author)

The wake of the RTA's crushing defeat brings a renewed push forthe RDA and a rebuke of its opposition. Opponents are coined a"vocal minority" as well as hayseeds, obstructionists and evenracists. We're accused of desiring a wall to keep "them people" outand of spreading misinformation. I believe RDA opponents make upthe majority in Porter County and the opposition is not beingaccurately portrayed.

The RDA was formed for four tasks: South Shore and Gary/ChicagoInternational Airport expansion, bus regionalization and improvedaccess to Lake Michigan. Proponents mailed shiny fliers promising26,000 jobs. Let's examine this closely.

Rail expansion estimates are over $1 billion, but a federal match of $500 million is assured. Or is it? NICTD announced in July that the Valparaiso line is nowhere close to meeting Federal Transportation Administration cost-effectiveness standards, which is necessary to compete for federal funds. Valparaiso has been dropped from study completely and Lowell is on 'hiatus.' When Ifind constituents in favor of the RDA it is generally because they've been led to believe the RDA will bring the South Shore toValparaiso. Now, who's spreading misinformation?

Expansion of Gary's Airport has been 'on the brink of success' for many years. Currently, progress is stalled because of an absolute need for property owned by Gary's schools. The schools know the airport's dilemma and have responded with an asking price well above appraised value. How's that for cooperation?

Why should Porter County residents pay for buses in Lake Countywhen Lake receives millions in casino money and has tax rates thatdwarf ours? In Porter County, Valparaiso's V-line and Chicago Dashneed RDA support. Neither has large numbers of riders nor haseither reached ridership estimates. Nice busses, but cost outweighsbenefits.

Improved access to Lake Michigan is unarguably a good thing. Wenow have a lakefront park amongst steel mills. Yet should peoplehave money taken from their paychecks for an out-of-the way parkduring a recession?

I wouldn't expect a full 26000 jobs yet, but I would expect morethan a few. As far as a wall to keep 'them people' out, the onlywall is that of higher taxes. Opponents aren't worried about 'thempeople,' only 'that government.'

I maintain the best way to attract people and business is low taxes. Couple that with our great schools and unique atmosphere and we've got a winner. Travel time to Chicago is much greater than the suburbs we try to emulate, and one must travel through the nation's murder capital to get there. Without low taxes and ourrural-residential, small town atmosphere, what will we have toseparate us from the pack? Well, I guess we'll have the RDA.

Laura Shurr Blaney is an at-large member of the Porter County Council. (Democrat)