STATEHOUSE (April 27, 2013) — State Sen. Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville) lauded today’s passage of a new honestly balanced state budget. The two-year fiscal plan includes a 5 percent individual income tax cut phased in from 2015 to 2017 and provides increased funding for roads, child protection, K-12 and higher education. HB 1001 now awaits the Governor’s signature.

Becker said a major accomplishment for Southwest Indiana is a new $18 million classroom building for the University of Southern Indiana (USI). In addition, USI’s operating budget is increased as well.

Other highlights of the budget include:
• Tax Relief and Job Creation: •Cuts individual income tax rate 5 percent (3 percent cut beginning in 2015 and another 2 percent cut beginning in 2017)
• Eliminates state inheritance tax, retroactively effective to Jan. 1, 2013
• Includes funding for vocational education and workforce development initiatives

•Education: •Increases K-12 funding by $333 million over the biennium (2 percent increase in FY 2014 and 1 percent increase in FY 2015)
•Increases university funding by more than $100 million per year
•Increases student aid by $75 million over the biennium
•Increases University of Southern Indiana’s base funding by $2 million each year and allots $18 million for a new classroom building on campus

•Roads: •Increases road and infrastructure funding by $200 million per year and sets aside another $400 million over the biennium for future transportation needs, including the completion of I-69

•Child Protection: •Increases funding for the Department of Child Services by $35 million per year
•Provides $10 million per year for school resource officers (contained in SB 1)

•Health Care: •Transfers $250 million in FY 2014 to the Medicaid Contingency and Reserve Account

•Paying Taxpayer-Funded Debt •100 percent of excess surplus in FY 2013 goes to Pension Stabilization Fund
•Provides $215 million cash funding for university capital projects

In addition to the budget, Becker pointed out a few noteworthy bills that passed during the 2013 legislative session:

•SEA 153 – Youth Referee Employment
•SB 554 – Telehealth and Telemedicine
•HEA 1111 – Tactical Emergency Medicine
•SEA 553 – School Vision Testing

“The General Assembly passed many important initiatives to help Indiana families this year, and I’m particularly proud of those measures that will help improve health care in Southern Indiana and around the state,” Becker said. “With these successes, I think Hoosiers can look forward to stronger communities in the years to come.”

The Senate is now adjourned “sine die”— which signifies the end of the 2013 Indiana General Assembly.

INDIANAPOLIS – Thanks to the efforts of Rep. Gail Riecken (D-Evansville), the governor is set to receive legislation that continues to prevent foreclosure.

Under House Bill 1084, Hoosiers will continue to have access to mortgage counseling. The program will be funded through fees charged to the bank that files the foreclosure.

The legislation was thought to be at risk at one point during the day, but Riecken played a key role in reviving the proposal and helping it get final approval in the Indiana House of Representatives.

“This bill is vital for so many of our communities in Indiana,” Riecken said. “So many families are struggling to make mortgage payments and need help preventing foreclosure. I am relieved to see this important legislation make its way to the governor.”

House Bill 1084 passed through the Indiana General Assembly shortly after Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann announced the expansion of Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network’s (IFPN) “Hardest Hit Fund.” The program offers individuals who are unemployed through no fault of their own assistance in paying mortgages, and has recently expanded coverage to more homeowners and increased financial assistance. Counselors, as a result of the fee in House Bill 1084, are the access for many homeowners to apply.

“I’m pleased to see our state government continue to make positive steps toward addressing the foreclosure crisis in Indiana,” Riecken concluded.

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As always, please contact me if you have any questions, comments or concerns related to our state government. Here is how you can stay in touch: call my office toll-free at 1-800-382-9842; write to me in care of the Indiana House of Representatives, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204; or email me at h77@iga.in.gov.

Century Center Board Selects SMG to Manage Century Center

4/25/2013 – On April 18, 2013, the Century Center Board of Managers approved the city’s Board of Public Works’ unanimous recommendation to contract with SMG-a professional convention and entertainment venue management firm-to operate the Century Center effective July 1, 2013. With the decision to change management firms, the Century Center will also take advantage of the firm’s internal catering division, SAVOR, as well as the company’s recognized brand amongst meeting and convention planners both regionally and nationally.

“Our immediate goal is to focus on a smooth transition for staff, and ensure clients a first class experience by engaging them in our hospitality approach to managing convention centers. At the same time, we will immediately seek to link this ‘Michiana’-based convention venue and Bendix Theater with our regional and national network. By providing access to our systems, resources and clients, we can help enhance performance and broaden exposure for the Center, city and county,” said Gregg Caren, SMG Senior Vice President for Strategic Business Development.

The Century Center, including over 60,000 square feet of exhibition, meeting and banquet space and a 694-seat theater has been home to numerous conferences, conventions, trade shows, concerts, performances and events for more than 36 years. SMG will take over operational responsibilities from Global Spectrum, who held the contract since 2006.

“We are very pleased to see the Century Center join the SMG network. SMG has an incredible legacy of more than 30 years of professional management and a commitment to its employees, high quality standards and exceptional service in dozens of venues and destinations like ours. I look forward to working with SMG and their team as they help take the Century Center to the next level,” said Century Center Board President, Greg Downes.

“In the selection process, we heard nothing but praise for SMG’s performance in many of those other cities, as well as a commitment and plan to engage key local stakeholders like Visit South Bend Mishawaka, the Doubletree Hotel and numerous local eateries, vendors and suppliers,” Downes added.

Local officials and hospitality leaders recognize the vital need to expand market share through a creative team approach to marketing. “We are most excited about SMG’s South Bend Alliance, which will help us all focus our efforts in a collaborative way to benefit the local economy,” noted convention bureau executive director Rob DeCleene. “In speaking with my counterparts at convention bureaus around the country, SMG was definitely noted as the industry leader with proven results. We are pleased to partner with SMG.”

SMG will also focus on reducing the deficit for the facility, which averages about one million dollars per year. This deficit is offset by hotel occupancy taxes, which are paid by out of town visitors to St. Joseph County hotels, and not by local residents as is commonly misperceived.

About the Century Center
Located in downtown South Bend overlooking the St. Joseph River and waterfall, the Century Center has hosted hundreds of conferences, conventions, trade shows, concerts, performances and events since 1977. The multi-purpose complex includes exhibit, ballroom and public space totaling over 60,000 square feet, plus the 694-seat Bendix Theater, serving everything from convention general sessions to concerts and family shows. The Center is attached to the 292-room DoubleTree by Hilton, and also houses the South Bend Regional Museum of Art. For more information visit www.centurycenter.org.

About SMGFounded in 1977, SMG provides management services to more than 230 public assembly facilities including convention and exhibition centers, arenas, stadiums, theatres, performing arts centers, equestrian facilities, science centers and a variety of other venues. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 14.4 million square feet of exhibition space and over 1.75 million sports and entertainment seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services for such landmark facilities as McCormick Place & Solider Field in Chicago, Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston’s Reliant Park and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions, catering and special events division, SAVOR, currently servicing more than 100 accounts worldwide. For more information visit www.smgworld.com

About SAVOR
SAVOR, the food and beverage division of special event venue management leader SMG, (www.savorsmg.com) currently provides food and beverage services, as well as VIP and catering/special event services, to more than 100 facilities around the world. The company is also an industry leader in introducing green standards and programs to public facilities. SAVOR’s commitment to farm-to-table freshness and food quality typically features locally grown products for their venue clients whenever possible. SAVOR staff prides themselves on being on the cutting edge of the latest food and beverage trends in addition to searching out the most innovative food technologies available on the market.

Country concert tours continue to rein supreme at the Ford Center as Jason Aldean’s 2013 Night Train Tour joined the growing list of sold out shows at the building. More than 9,000 fans filled the arena to the rafters on Thursday night to enjoy a show packed with country boy flavor and more than a little rock & roll swagger from headliner Aldean and openers Jake Owen and Thomas Rhett. The tour featured everything from a multi-level stage to stunning hi-definition video monitors to a DJ to keep the party rocking through each of the intermissions and was stitched together by solid sets by Aldean, Owen and Rhett. Judging by the thunderous response from the crowd to all three artists, the night was a success all the way around. “It’s good to see Evansville continue to show great support for top country acts such as Jason Aldean,” said Executive Director Scott Schoenike. “This will continue to attract elite country performers to the Ford Center in the coming months.”

The Ford Center continues an active event season with upcoming shows that include the Midwest Rock N Roll Express with REO Speedwagon/Styx/Ted Nugent May 15, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers May 16, the WWE World Tour Supershow May 18, and Barry Manilow June20.

Whether your art choice is sketching, watercolors, or photography, you’re invited to an inaugural series of art, architecture, and history celebrating the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library’s Centennial and Historic Preservation Month.

On three Saturdays in May, join the EVPL and Evansville’s Historic Preservation Services Office for A Brush with History Art Strolls through three of the city’s historic areas.

• Saturday, May 4, 9:00 am
Bayard Park Historic District (tour begins at East Branch Library)

• Saturday, May 11, 9:00 am
Franklin Street Historic District (tour begins at West Branch Library)

• Saturday, May 18, 9:00 am
Riverside Historic District (tour begins at Reitz Home Carriage House)

Each tour, guided by a member of the Historic Preservation Services Office, will highlight architectural features present in residential and/or commercial structures in the districts. The hour-long walking tours are open to all, and after the walk artists are encouraged to set up their easels and tripods and explore the area in the “plein air” tradition. Artists are encouraged to include their finished work in an exhibit scheduled later in the month at the Library.

For more information about the event, contact Teresa at 428-8231 ext. 2404 or teresas@evpl.org.