(WSBT) The Speaker of the Indiana House, Democratic Rep. B. Patrick Bauer of South Bend says it's a bad idea to move the city's BMV license branch.

The BMV says it wants to move the branch from its location on Western Ave. to a new location at Carbon Mill Plaza because it's a fast growing area. The Plaza is a new shopping center located on Brick Rd. on South Bend's northwest side. The state says it's also an attempt to modernize the South Bend and Mishawaka branches.

A letter from B. Patrick Bauer to Ron Stiver, Commissioner of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles Reads:

Dear Commissioner Stiver:

I write you today to express my opposition to your agency's apparent decision to move the South Bend license branch on Western Avenue to the city's outskirts. I find this arbitrary move troubling because it would move this branch further away from many hardworking citizens of South Bend.

Unfortunately this is not the first time that the Bureau of Motor Vehicles has placed undue hardship upon the people of Indiana. We recently learned that lingering problems with the disastrous implementation of your computer system has cost Hoosier taxpayers more than $6 million. Your agency has decided to close numerous license branches across the state, including several that had been part of the community for many years. Now, you plan to move this branch to a location that is not easily accessible to most residents of South Bend.

I urge you to put the needs of the citizens of South Bend first and reconsider your decision to relocate this license branch.

Sincerely,
B. Patrick Bauer
Speaker of the House