A few of the issues lawmakers are addressing this legislative session include passing the state’s biennial budget, enacting a comprehensive road funding plan and tackling Indiana’s drug epidemic. Another piece of legislation that has a significant local impact concerns the revenue coming from the three riverboats located in the region.
Recently, I helped to ensure money provided to our communities from the riverboats was protected by amending House Bill 1350. Before my amendment, the amount of supplemental distribution funds, commonly referred to as hold harmless funds that are distributed to local units within counties where riverboats are located, would have been significantly reduced.
This bill, as originally written, would have lowered the hold harmless fund from $48 million to $40 million. The hold harmless fund provided nearly $15 million to communities in Southeastern Indiana last year.
In addition, the three riverboats in our area contribute nearly $24 million to our local communities from the riverboat wagering and admission tax.
Without my amendment to House Bill 1350, millions of dollars would have been taken away from our communities. This would greatly impact us as these funds pay for projects and programs that help our communities thrive and grow.
Throughout the years, the money has been used to improve our communities and bring businesses to our area. From these monies, $10 million was used to attract Honda to Greensburg creating more than 2,400 jobs in Southeastern Indiana. Other ways this funding has helped our communities is by beautifying local parks, supporting police, fire and EMS, paving and repairing local roads and bridges, along with helping schools and businesses. Lawrenceburg, Rising Sun and Vevay host these riverboat casinos; however, the riverboat money impacts Franklin, Jefferson and Ripley counties.
The House of Representatives approved the amended bill, sending it to the Senate for consideration. Those members can now make additional changes to the proposal. I will continue to make the case for protecting these funds provided to our communities.
Please contact me with questions or input at 317-234-3827 or by email at h67@iga.in.gov. I appreciate hearing from you in order to better represent our district. Stay up-to-date with the work being done at the Statehouse by signing up to receive my email updates at www.in.gov/h67.
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State Rep. Frye (R-Greensburg) represents House District 67, which includes Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland counties, as well as portions of Decatur, Jennings, Jefferson and Dearborn counties.
A high-resolution photo of Frye can be downloaded by clicking here.
