Although anything could happen before the Indiana General Assembly closes business for this session, it appears that the hard work of local and state officials has resulted in riverboat revenue funds not being taken away.
Senate Bill 528 would have resulted in the loss of riverboat revenues here in Switzerland County, and also in Rising Sun and Lawrenceburg.
After the bill passed the State Senate, State Legislature Randy Frye, who represents Switzerland and Ohio counties, and State Representative Jud McMillin went to work to save local funding.
Also working on behalf of the county was Jon Bond of the Switzerland County Economic Development Corporation, who prepared a detailed summary showing legislators the true impact of taking funds away.
After the Public Policy Committee hearing last week, Representative Frye testified in support of eliminating the requirement that the state had to make up the difference if local communities ever fell below their 2002 level casino admissions tax collections.
If the bill had passed, more than $2 million per year would have been taken from Switzerland County.