INDIANAPOLIS - Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman called the most recent legislative session was remarkable during a telephone interview Wednesday.

"From a jobs standpoint this legislative session was historic. We're going to be a national leader in transportation and a national leader in telecommunications, due to the inititatives passed this session.

"With passage of Major Moves we stand to be perhaps the only state in the nation with a fully-funded 10-year highway construction plan aend the money in the bank to pay for it."

Kosciusko County's share, Skillman said, is $3 million in a new construction project on Ind. 15 north of U.S. 30, although it probably won't get started for several years. She gave a figure of $5.22 million as the county's total for local roads, bridges and streets.

"The administration understands that cities, towns and county government has a backlog of projects.

Because of the higher-than-expected bid for the toll road lease, the state will retain put one lump sum ($3.8 billion) in a transportation fund. The interest will be paid to local governments over the next three years.

Payments can begin as quickly as engineering and environmental studies and other pre-physical work can be completed.

"In addition to an upgraded toll road and expanding I-69, hundreds of other highway projects that would otherwise be on hold can get started."

The Telecom Reform Act, signed by Gov. Mitch Daniels Tuesday is "one of most comprehensive deregulation laws in the nation," the governor's lieutenant said.

"It essentially allows for a more free market approach, competion in cable, telephone and Internet services. This should result in more choices, better business climate and lower prices for Hoosiers." [[In-content Ad]]