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Indiana Lawmakers to Push for Pull Tabs

INDIANA – As reported by the Indianapolis Star: "Rep. Luke Messer, R-Shelbyville, and Sen. Robert Jackman, R-Milroy, will push pull-tab legislation. Their districts include the Indiana Downs track in Shelby County, which opened in December 2002 but ended with a disappointing first-year loss of about $3.9 million.

"For Jackman, offering money for the budget is a carrot for lawmakers. But his top priority, he said, is helping the people trying to build the horse racing industry in Indiana.

"…Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson has supported similar pull-tab legislation because cities would stand to gain portions of revenue from the gambling proceeds.

"But supporters will have to overcome some major obstacles.

"Gov.-elect Mitch Daniels dislikes the idea of expanding gambling but maintains that in this time of tough budget constraints, nothing is off the table, according to Ellen Whitt, his deputy chief of staff.

"Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Garton, R-Columbus, the most powerful lawmaker in the Senate, continues to oppose pull tabs.

"…Pull-tab supporters did possibly gain some ground with the defeat in the May Republican primary of state Sen. Larry Borst of Greenwood, who opposed pull-tab machines at the tracks.

"…The Casino Association of Indiana, which represents the state's 10 riverboats, hasn't taken a stance on pull tabs because not all casinos agree on the issue, said executive director Mike Smith…"

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