For the past several decades, citizens of Indiana's 8th congressional district have worked tirelessly to build the Interstate 69 extension from Evansville to Indianapolis. The last few Members of Congress from the 8th district made it a top priority and tried to secure federal funds for the estimated $2 billion project. Realizing the pot of federal highway money is diminishing, the state of Indiana took a dramatic step forward in 2006 by passing the Major Moves for Indiana transportation plan, which allocated $700 million for I-69.

As the state is searching for the remaining funds to pay for the project, Governor Daniels proposed building the Indiana Commerce Connector and using revenue from a private-public partnership for I-69.

Yet during the past 2 field hearings for this new proposal, a staffer from the State Democratic Party (who even identified himself as such) has circulated a petition against the only solution on the table (pdf) to pay for the rest of the I-69 project.

The interesting thing about it is that this staffer is being paid by the Democratic National Committee and is tasked with "grassroots outreach."

Question is....Does Congressman Ellsworth know about this political operative working against I-69 funding? If so, this is a blatant disregard for the wishes of his electorate!