Indiana Horse Racing and Breeding Coalition
www.hoosiersforhorses.org
Anderson Herald Bulletin
April 5, 2005
Lawmakers Act When They Shouldn't, Don't When They Should
By Lisa Allen
There are some things going on in the state Legislature that have me absolutely befuddled.
One is the wringing of hands and political shenanigans that are jeopardizing Anderson’s future. There is not a single, solitary good reason why legislators haven’t approved slot machines at Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs.
It’s good for the state, the county, the city and the race track. Who’s it bad for? Hmmm. Maybe the shady characters who own the illegal gambling machines that are ubiquitous in Madison County. Too bad for them.
A few thousand slot machines might make it a little tougher on those who have trouble controlling their gambling. My guess is they already have trouble at the track, or with lottery tickets, office sports pools or bingo. Slots aren’t going to tip the scales, especially if they are already askew.
Obviously, some blinking lights, bells and tinkling coins in a new $30 million gaming house is going to lure a lot of central Indiana residents to Anderson. That’s great for hotels, restaurants and gas stations.
In addition, giving Hoosier Park a hefty revenue stream can only help Madison County. Imagine if Hoosier Park, already an excellent corporate neighbor, had even more money to help the community.
I’m all for it. Please, lawmakers DO something about slot machines!
But DON’T do us any more favors when it comes to education funding.
Which leads me to my second befuddlement. Why did the House pass a budget that decimates education funding?
It flies in the face of Gov. Mitch Daniels’ claims of making Indiana a trend-setting state in efficiency and effective government. Gee, I didn’t realize the trend he was setting was disemboweling education. Yipe.
The school-funding formula, as passed by the House Republicans, rewards growing school districts (which are collecting more taxes, too) and punishes shrinking districts, which need more money to offset a declining tax base.
I was astonished to learn that if the state cuts school funding, local government will have to boost property taxes to make up the difference. No vote on the tax increase is needed.
Wasn’t property tax relief the reason the state increased the sales tax by a penny?
Let me get this right. In Madison County, that means we will be able to pay more in property taxes AND a penny more in sales tax. Despite our bigger tax burden, school funding will still drop in Alexandria and Anderson.
Are they nuts? Do they think we’re stupid?
It’s amazing to me that the Legislature is too timid to act on slot machines, which don’t hurt anyone, but bold enough to slash education funding, and by default, boost local property taxes.
Indiana politicians say economic development is their top priority. However, I’m beginning to think they meant economic development for Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Kentucky. Maybe we should have asked them to be more specific.
Lisa Allen is managing editor of The Herald Bulletin and can be reached at lisa.allen@heraldbulletin.com.