“READERS FORUM” APRIL 10, 2019
We hope that today’s “READERS FORUMâ€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?
HERE’S WHAT’S ON OUR MIND TODAY
Yesterday the Indy Star reported that amendments to the gaming Legislation that cleared the House Ways and Means Committee by a 17-6 margin on Tuesday didn’t contain the $6 million dollar funding clause for the City of Evansville that would help offset the city’s anticipated financial losses if Terre Haute is allowed to build a new casino. Â What concerns is that if this bill becomes law, the taxpayers of Evansville could lose millions of dollars if the State Legislature approved building a multi-million dollar casino just an hour and a half down the road?
WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND TODAY?
Todays “Readers Poll†question is: Are you disappointed that State Rep; Holli Sullivan and Mayor Winnecke didn’t take a strong stance against a new casino being built in Terre Haute?
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FOOTNOTE:  Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.â€READERS FORUMâ€Â
Terre Haute Would Get Casino As House Ways And Means Committee Approves Gambling Expansion
Terre Haute Would Get Casino As House Ways And Means Committee Approves Gambling Expansion
By Emily Ketterer
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS –– Amendments to a bill that expands gambling in Indiana cuts in half the price tag to move two Gary casinos inland and creates a competitive bidding process for a new Terre Haute casino license.
Rep. Todd Huston, R-Fishers and co-chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, amended Senate Bill 552 Tuesday to lower the original price of $100 million to $50 million to move the Gary casinos. The bill passed out of the committee by a 17-6 margin.
The two casinos are owned by Spectacle Entertainment and located on Lake Michigan. Under the bill, they are permitted to move inland but the owner has to give up one of the gaming licenses, in effect forcing the two casinos to merge.
“If they want to move, that action can only happen with us taking action,†Huston said. “And there is a value to that move. They wouldn’t be moving if there wasn’t a value.â€
If Spectacle decides to open a new one inland closer to the interstate, the company will be allowed to have 2,674 gaming positions––an increase from the 1,684 positions at the two current casinos. This would potentially make the Gary casino the largest in Indiana.
Indiana currently has 11 casinos and two horse-racing casinos. Depending on whether Spectacle moves, the number of casinos could grow to 12 or 13 under the legislation with a new Terre Haute location.
Before the bill was amended Tuesday, Terre Haute would have only gotten the license to build a new casino if Spectacle gave up its second Gary license. Now, Huston’s amendment creates a separate license for Terre Haute and it includes a twist––companies will have to bid on the license.
“We’ve separated the Terre Haute discussion from the Spectacle discussion,†Huston said. “If the operator in Gary wants to move, that’s their decision based upon the parameters that we provide within the legislation.â€
The legislation will create a Vigo County advisory board to consider company candidates and choose three to participate in the competitive bidding. The process will also work with two bidders, but Huston said there has to be more than one candidate chosen or the selection process has to start over.
The minimum bid is $25 million, which Huston said is a good number to start at based on what he’s heard.
Another provision of the massive bill is the legalization of sports gambling, which has virtually passed through the General Assembly with little discussion from the public or lawmakers. The amended bill will now levy a 9.5 percent tax rate on sports bets starting in September. Mobile sports betting is not included in the legislation.
Democrats proposed a number of amendments in committee and most were shut down, including proposals to provide more financial support to the surrounding Gary communities that may be negatively affected by the casino’s expansion.
On sports gambling, Rep. Cherrish Pryor, D-Indianapolis, offered an amendment to protect college athletes. Pryor said with sports wagering being legal, people may be betting a lot of money on students, and she proposed a portion of tax money from the bets go to the student-athletes who are injured to help pay for insurance. The amendment was rejected along party lines.
“Everybody is going to make money off these kids,†Pryor said. “We need to figure out a way to help these students.â€
The bill advances to the House for further action.
FOOTNOTE: Emily Ketterer is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
‘Stand Your Ground’ Expansion Bill Advances
‘Stand Your Ground’ Expansion Bill Advances
APRIL 9TH, 2019 
MEGAN DIVENTI INDIANA
Criminal Penalties For Revenge Porn May Become Law
Criminal Penalties For Revenge Porn May Become Law
Efforts to hold revenge porn perpetrators criminally accountable advanced Monday after the Indiana House of Representatives voted 95-0 in favor of legislation that would criminalize the posting of non-consensual pornography.
Senate Bill 243 defines an intimate image as a photograph, digital image or video that depicts sexual intercourse, other sexual conduct or the exhibition of the uncovered buttocks, genitals or female breast.
Rep. Mike Speedy, R-Indianapolis, said SB 243 makes it a crime for someone to distribute such an image with intent to harm, harass, intimidate, threaten or coerce the other person. It would also make it a crime to post the image without the consent of a person depicted in that image, even if that person initially agreed to partake in the image.
Revenge porn perpetrators could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense would bump that up to a Level 6 felony charge.
The measure initially received skepticism from Sen. Michael Young, R- Indianapolis, who has traditionally held that such matters are civil, not criminal. But the bill has seen little opposition this session.
TICKETS ON SALE AND DONATIONS BEING ACCEPTED NOW FOR VANDERBURGH HUMANE’S LARGEST FUNDRAISER
The Vanderburgh Humane Society’s 24th annual Going, Going, Gone to the Dogs! Benefit Dinner & Auction, sponsored by Pet Food Center and Jack Rogers Realty, will be held Saturday, May 18, 2019 at Old National Events Plaza. This year’s theme is, “Fantastic Pets and Where to Find Them†and will be hosted on a new date at a new venue! The auction typically nets over $60,000 each year for the VHS, which serves the largest number of animals in the Tri-State each year.
The VHS receives no tax-based funding and therefore must depend on the generosity of the corporate community and the public to continue the much needed services it offers. The 24th annual GGGD Benefit Dinner & Auction is designed to be the largest single fundraising event for any animal welfare organization in the Tri-State. The auction will feature a preview cocktail party, dinner, and both silent and live auctions. Higher-valued items, unique items, or packages with high interest will be featured in the live portion of this successful event.
Tickets are on sale now for this event at www.vhslifesaver.org. Individual seats begin at $90 per plate, with benefactor tickets available at $125 and tables of 10 available at $1000 (individuals) or $1250 (businesses.) Tickets will not be sold at the door, so patrons should plan accordingly and make advance reservations. Dress is business casual or themed attire.
VHS is also still accepting donations valued at $25+. Just about anything has a place at “Fantastic Pets†including baskets, gift cards & gift certificates, services, artwork, jewelry, vacation packages, sports memorabilia, antiques, and more. Donating to Going, Going, Gone to the Dogs! is a great way to show philanthropy and advertise your business to almost 300 patrons in a single evening!
To purchase tickets, please visit https://www.vhslifesaver.org. To donate auction items or for businesses who wish to sponsor the event or purchase a corporate table, email events@vhslifesaver.org or call (812) 426-2563 ext. 218!
EVSC School Board Approves Innovative RAMP Initiative
The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation School Board approved a first-of-its-kind comprehensive work-based learning program in Indiana that completely embeds high school students within an Evansville-based industry. RAMP, Real-World Application; Maximizing Potential, is a program through EVSC’s OptIN, in partnership with AmeriQual, where students will work side-by-side with industry experts to acquire manufacturing skills that they can use, upon graduation, to acquire a high-wage, high-demand career.
“The collaboration between OptIN and AmeriQual to establish RAMP is truly an innovation in education. It creates an unprecedented learning environment that will increase student hope, engagement and success,†said EVSC Superintendent David Smith. “RAMP will empower students to be successful by teaching not only traditional subject matter, but also provide transferable skills such as the ability to collaborate, think critically, problem solve, communicate effectively and demonstrate ethical practices. All of which are highly sought after by employers.â€
Beginning this fall, students in RAMP will work and attend class on the AmeriQual campus on Highway 41 in Evansville. The classroom will be a hybrid where teachers will meet students where they are on the path to graduation. The students’ day will be split between four hours of on-the-job work and four hours of classroom time. This experience will provide students with an opportunity for hands-on learning and the ability to apply what they are learning in the classroom to the real world.
“AmeriQual, like many businesses right now, is always looking for qualified employees to join our team,†said Mirsada Salihovic, vice president of human resources.  “RAMP will allow us to create a pipeline of skilled workers who are already part of our family and who can be successful whether they stay at AmeriQual upon graduation or move on to something else.â€
The initial RAMP cohort will include 80 students who will be selected through an application process based on need. The program fulfills the requirements for students to graduate with the opportunity to earn several certifications; including, MSSC Certification, OSHA 10 and a Forklift certification which all lead to high wage high demand careers. Students will get paid for their work and be eligible for attendance and productivity bonuses.
Going forward, the EVSC hopes to expand the program not only within AmeriQual but also work to include additional local companies and businesses.
Students interested in applying for RAMP can visit www.EVSCschools.com/RAMPapply or speak with their school counselor.
HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE
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