Henry addresses gaming committee

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WANE) - Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry spent Monday in Indianapolis, testifying before a special gaming study committee.

Henry's slot to address the committee was delayed by about two hours. When he was finally able to speak on the fourth floor of the Indianapolis Statehouse, he was met with a somewhat impatient panel.

Henry started his address by reading a two-page written statement. Committee Chairmen Luke Kenley, R-District 20 interrupted the statement, asking him to speak off the cuff for time's sake, among other things.

Representative Jeff Espich (R)-Uniondale , called Henry's push for a casino referendum "silly". Espich said during the session that a referendum is built in to the process of pursuing any proposed casino.

"I don't understand the uniqueness of your situation," Espich said to Henry, adding if Allen County had a casino license, and a casino proposal, he guaranteed a referendum would go in front of the citizens that live there.

Meanwhile, Representative Trent Van Haaften, D-District 76 reiterated to Henry that there was no available license at this time, and that it's possible the mayor was "putting the cart before the horse".

Henry deflected questions from legislators about his stance on expanded gaming in the Summit City, but again said that he is very much in favor of giving his Fort Wayne constituents a voice in the matter.

Representative Bill Crawford, D-District 98 , commended the mayor for working on behalf of Fort Wayne citizens to be heard.

Senator Ron Alting, R-District 22 , asked Henry about the lack of a want for a county-wide referendum, instead of a city-wide one.

"The county commissioners have expressed publicly, their opinions," said Henry. "They expressed opposition to gaming." Henry added the commissioners had also expressed support for a referendum, however.

After the hearing, Henry said he thought it went well.

"Obviously, with time constraints, we couldn't get into stuff as in-depth as we would've liked," said Henry. "[The committee members] asked good questions, and to which we gave answers that will help them in their decision-making process."

Mayor Henry was not alone in seeking a casino referendum at the statehouse Monday. Steuben County had several city and county officials there to also address the panel. Officials there, following the lead of former Senator Robert Meeks, are aggressively pursuing the jobs that may come with a new casino.

After convening several times over the summer, and now into the fall, the study committee will give it's recommendations to the state legislature when it is in session again in January.

Mayor Tom Henry's prepared statement for the committee members is as follows:

Good afternoon, Chairman Kenley, Chairman Crawford and members of the Gaming Study Committee. Thank you for the chance to speak to you today. As Mayor of the City of Fort Wayne and on behalf of its citizens, I commend you for your leadership on the issue of gaming in Indiana.

I am here today in search of opportunity – the opportunity for new jobs and economic growth. I am here to ask for your recommendation to the Indiana General Assembly in support of a referendum on legalized casino gaming for the people of Fort Wayne.

I am committed to securing a referendum that will allow Fort Wayne residents to make their own decision about gaming – to choose for themselves what is beneficial for our community and what opportunities they want to explore.

I believe an opportunity that can strengthen the economy of Fort Wayne, our region and state, that can bring new jobs, high-quality investment and development, and significant new revenue every year into our community, is one that deserves serious consideration.

If upon your recommendation the General Assembly enacts legislation allowing a referendum on legalized casino gaming in Fort Wayne, if our community chooses to support gaming, and if a development meets our conditions, I will pursue it.

As Mayor, I am committed to creating opportunity for all our citizens and making sure that Fort Wayne has every chance to thrive. In these difficult economic times, I believe that we must find new ways to grow jobs and build a more attractive and competitive city and region.

But more than anything else, I want the people of Fort Wayne to have the chance to decide for themselves on this important issue.

Indiana recently marked the 20th anniversary of the lottery. In the two decades that have followed its introduction, legalized gaming has grown substantially in Indiana. In fiscal year 2009, gaming tax revenue totaled nearly $1.1 billion dollars – that includes revenues from the lottery and the many other forms of legalized gaming that exist in our state. Today those options include lottery games, riverboat casinos, racinos, horse racing, pull-tabs, charity bingos and charity casinos.

Gaming is already a reality in Fort Wayne. In fact, it permeates the community. Please allow me to share a map that better makes this statement.