We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUEâ€Â will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way?
IS IT TRUE yesterday the Tribune-Star newspaper of Terre Haute reported that a bill that could put a casino in Terre Haute cleared the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee and now heads to the full House.?  ..they reported that “the Senate Bill 552, as amended, moved forward by a vote of 17-6”?  …we are extremely curious how our local Ways and Means Committee member Hollie Sullivan voted on this issue at yesterdays meeting?
IS IT TRUE the Tribune-Star reported the most notable changes in this proposed gaming law are: “the creation of a new, independent gaming license for Vigo County; requires a public question to be added to either 2019 general or 2020 primary ballot; if the referendum passes, Vigo County officials must form a gambling advisory board in Vigo County; this board would consist of the Terre Haute Mayor, a Vigo County Commissioner, the President of the Vigo County Capital Improvement Board, a Chamber of Commerce appointee and a member appointed by the governor”?  …this committee make-up looks like a bunches of “Foxes Watching The Hen House?
IS IT TRUE that the Tribune-Star also reported that this proposed legislation “will reduce the relocation fee for a Gary, Indiana, casino license from $100 million to $50 million”; “it would also require the formation of a Vigo County casino advisory board in which the board will be responsible for evaluating proposals to operate a casino in Vigo County and then would then forward its recommendations to the Indiana Gaming Commission”? …”the commission would select the top three proposals and open an “auction process.† …”the auction would be at an advertised meeting of the gaming commission and would see each of the finalists submit one bid and the highest of the three bids would be awarded the license which requires a minimum bid of $25 million?” … it’s almost laughful that the Ways And Means Committee approved an amendment for an Advisory Committee to evaluate the proposals to operate a casino in Vigo County and then would forward its recommendations to the Indiana Gaming Commission who appointees are controlled by the Governor?
IS IT TRUEÂ yesterday that the Indy Star also wrote: “If a casino is built near Terre Haute, it would pull some percentage of business away from Tropicana Evansville, about two hours South of French Lick Casino also could feel some impact?” …the Indy Star also reported the Legislation that cleared the House Ways and Means Committee Tuesday contains no funding for Evansville that would help offset the city’s anticipated financial loss”? Â …”In legislative terminology, this is known as “held harmless” funding?” Â …we really want to know who is going to be “held harmless” if this bill become law and Tropicana-Evansville and the taxpayers of Evansville lose millions of dollars because the State Legislature approved a new casino just an hour and a half down the road?
Winnecke also noted, “that if a casino is approved and built near Terre Haute, it would not open for business for at least 2-3 years and it would give the legislature time to analyze the impact a Terre Haute gaming property would have on nearby competitors, such as Evansville and French Lick”?  …we why the legislature didn’t analyze this issue before they decided to vote on it?
