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Michigan City council opposes state road-funding bill, citing local costs and toll concerns
Summary
On March 18 the Michigan City Common Council unanimously approved a resolution opposing Indiana House Bill 14‑16, saying it would shift costs to local governments through a wheel tax, excise charge and new bridge responsibilities and could push traffic onto city streets.
The Michigan City Common Council voted unanimously March 18 to oppose House Bill 14‑16, a state measure the council says would shift road‑funding burdens to local governments by authorizing tolling, requiring local wheel taxes and reallocating bridge repair responsibilities.
Council members adopted a resolution introduced by Council President Belinski and co‑sponsored by Councilors Tillman, Dabney and Lee. The resolution warns the bill could require the city to adopt a municipal wheel tax, increase local infrastructure demands as drivers avoid tolls by using city streets, and force municipalities to assume bridge costs previously handled by the county.
“To me, it’s something but political blackmail and putting the city in Michigan City in dire straits and pushing us right into a corner,” Council President Belinski said during debate.
Public commenters and several council members called the proposal a state attempt to shift revenue responsibility to communities. Resident Paul Przybylinski said the bill would create a toll‑road authority that could act without adequate oversight, and warned that tolling and new taxes are likely to be regressive. “All these type of taxes and tolls … are regressive. The more you make, the less it affects you. The less you make, the bigger impact it has on your budget,” Scott Mellon told the council during public comment.
Council members pressed for local planning should the bill advance in the state Senate, noting the city recently cut its 2025 budget by about $5.7 million after riverboat revenue declined. The resolution asks state legislators to reject House Bill 14‑16 and urges protection of local fiscal autonomy.
Votes at a glance: The motion to approve the resolution passed 9‑0. The motion was made by Councilman Dabney and seconded by Councilman Belinski.
The council also invited city staff to coordinate with county officials and local stakeholders to monitor the bill’s progress and to develop a public information plan if state action proceeds.
