Politics panel says more wheel tax votes likely

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Two members of Indiana’s best political team on Friday said cities and towns in Indiana have little choice but to consider a wheel tax for road funding.

The comments from Karlee Macer and Matt Bell, both former state lawmakers, follow the Greenwood Common Council’s vote this week to adopt a higher vehicle registration fee, commonly referred to as a wheel tax.

That vote, in turn, follows Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s veto of a wheel tax in his city. Beech Grove is also considering its own wheel tax. Legislation approved last year allows cities that adopt a wheel tax to receive funds from the Community Crossings Fund.

Bell, a Republican, said Indiana’s current tax structure does not provide enough funding to maintain and preserve Indiana’s roads, let alone to start new projects. He said adopting a wheel tax sets up a funding partnership between cities and the state government.