Rep. Frye supported amending SB 528 because riverboat gaming revenue provides tremendous benefits for local communities. “Riverboat gaming revenue is vital to the communities of Southeast Indiana,” said Rep. Frye. The City of Lawrenceburg used riverboat gaming revenue to improve local parks, building structures like City Hall, the Treasurer’s office, the police and fire department buildings, the water treatment plant, a parking garage and two buildings for Ivy Tech. There was also $25 million spent on the U.S. 50 Bridge, none of which came from INDOT. Rising Sun and Ohio County agreed to share one half of their share of admission tax revenue with other economically disadvantaged and underdeveloped areas in three neighboring counties. This revenue sharing has benefited the government of Ripley County, as well as eight separate municipalities: Aurora, Milan, Sunman, Holton, Osgood, Napoleon, Versailles and Patriot. Over $25 million has gone to help these local communities. Switzerland County used riverboat money to provide fulltime EMS coverage, expanded police and fire protection, upgraded health facilities, debt-service assistance to the regional YMCA, a new industrial park, an adult education center, school endowments and pavement of county roads that were gravel prior to the riverboat money. “I am working tirelessly to protect the local communities in my district by restoring the funding they need for economic development and capital investment projects,” Said Rep. Frye. On a 13-0 vote, SB 528 was amended to restore Indiana’s funding to local communities. -30-
Rep. Frye (R-Greensburg) represents Ohio and Switzerland counties, as well as portions of Ripley, Decatur, Jennings, Jefferson and Dearborn counties |
