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		From Our Founder by Robert J. Wichlinski  In an earlier installment I made the observation that we are certainly getting our money’s worth out of our State legislators in this year’s session in Indianapolis. You may not be comfortable with all the changes being made, but one thing is for certain, they’re working for their pay. The most recent addition to the legislative workload is the RDA being constructed by our local legislators.  In response to proposals to balance the State’s budget using local casino revenues, the Northwest Indiana delegation is racing to complete legislation to create a Regional Development Authority whose sole purpose is to recapture the dollars that would be redirected from local to State coffers and use that money to complete “big” projects that support the transformation of our local economy.  Example projects center upon transportation (e.g. commuter rail and the Gary/Chicago airport), but could include any project that has regional impact (example; the Marquette Greenway project our Congressman crafted). The jury is still out on the viability (actually, survivability) of the initiative, especially at this late hour in the legislative session, but it is certainly not impossible.  I have personally witnessed some pretty amazing things transpire in the last days of prior legislative sessions. The important thing is that we understand that a two year budget for the State will be passed before the 2005 session concludes.  It’s the law.  Moreover, I am certain the budget will not feature a “robbing from Peter to pay Paul” strategy.  The numbers are going to be real and the effect of balancing the budget is destined to have real impact upon our region.  If we don’t step up with some plan that demonstrates our resolve to embrace change and effectively address the challenges before us on a regional basis, somebody else is going to do it for us (or “to” us depending upon your perspective).  This RDA plan at least ensures we have some say in the process and represents the best hope that the money stays in the region. Beyond the State money we risk loosing if we fail to act,  our Congressman Pete Visclosky has secured a whole bunch of Federal money that we also risk loosing.  To receive the Federal funds you need to demonstrate a local financial commitment in the form of local  match dollars.  Such dollars would be represented by the investments the RDA would make under the proposed plan.  It would be a crying shame if after all of his hard work on our behalf we failed to step up to the plate and do our part. (summed up in the phrase “Help me, help you!”) So it behooves each of us to stay on top of this issue.  If you feel so inclined I encourage you to establish contact with your local government officials & legislators and speak your peace. One thing I do know… we’re at a crossroads.  At the close of this legislative session, we’re gonna know where we stand as a region… for better or worse… I’m hoping for the former.  As always, I can be reached via e-mail at b@219.com
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