What is appalling is what exactly have they done with the revenue from two boats since they landed there? Now they think they can park one by the highway? Tee, hee.
January 27, 2010
BY JON SEIDEL, (317) 631-7400
INDIANAPOLIS -- Gary's plans for a land-based casino were dashed Tuesday night when the Senate's appropriations committee erased language from a bill that would let riverboat casinos move ashore.
Mayor Rudy Clay has pinned hopes for his city's very survival on a land-based casino at Interstate 65 and Interstate 94. State Sen. Earline Rogers, the Democrat who is championing the cause for her hometown at the Statehouse, voted against the amendment.
However, Rogers voted to send the new version of the bill to the Senate floor with a vow not to "wimp out" early in the game. "I will continue to work to get land-based casinos in this legislation," Rogers said.
Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Portage, voted against the final version, simply saying "there are a lot of things wrong with this bill."
Written by Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, Senate Bill 405 now contains a series of minor changes to Indiana gambling law, including authorization for advance deposit wagering on horse racing, a reduction in admissions tax at the French Lick casino, and changes in admission tax distributions in Orange County.
The original version would have allowed casino owners to pay a $50 million fee to build an inland casino in the city or county where their boat is located. It would have also allowed Majestic Star Casino owner Don Barden to give up one of his two licenses in Gary in lieu of the fee.
Barden balked last week at the fee and the offer to let him simply give up a license, calling them "counterproductive" and "grossly unfair."
The state's casino association also spoke out against the bill. During Tuesday's hearing of the Senate's appropriations committee, Rogers lashed out at its lobbyists, reminding them that the original push for gaming in Indiana was made by Gary's lawmakers.
"I don't think any of you would be where you are had it not been for Gary's leadership and push that started back in 1989," Rogers said.
A study committee found last year that it would be in Indiana's best interest to let Barden consolidate his two licenses into one land-based location.
Need for tax revenue
Gary, meanwhile, is in desperate need of new property tax revenue. New property tax caps headed toward the state constitution could cripple the city financially. In 2009 it received relief from those tax caps, but if they become constitutional in 2012, no relief would be available.
Rogers also pointed out the Majestic Star filed for bankruptcy late in 2009, and the closure of the Cline Avenue bridge has been an additional blow to its revenue.
"The short sightedness of the casino association is appalling to me," Rogers said.
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