Indiana road funding panel might have private meetings

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Leaders of a state committee reviewing how to pay for future Indiana road improvements say they might work on its proposal during private meetings.

Such closed-door sessions are unusual for study committees established by the Legislature, but task force co-chairman Sen. Luke Kenley says he wants all panel members to talk freely about possible options.

The (Fort Wayne) Journal Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/2ba7ZpR ) funding options include raising gasoline taxes and charging tolls on existing or new highways.

Kenley says any committee proposal would still need to gain approval from lawmakers. The panel faces a Dec. 1 deadline.

The Legislature this year approved a short-term road funding package for $230 million toward state highways and bridges over the next two years. Gov. Mike Pence sought a $1 billion boost over four years.

___

Information from: The Journal Gazette, http://www.journalgazette.net