Fort Wayne Casino Referendum (2009)
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| This measure was not put on an election ballot |
The Fort Wayne Casino Referendum did not appear on the November 3, 2009 ballot in Allen County, Indiana in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Fort Wayne Mayor John Henry spearheaded the campaign to materialize the referendum to allow a casino in the city of Fort Wayne.[1]
Support
In a statement made by Henry, Henry discussed the economic impact of a casino in a "desperate" economy. Henry states:
"We are living in painful economic times. It would be irresponsible for the City not to talk to individuals interested in gaming because of the potential revenue it could create to help us provide the level of services expected by our residents and necessary to keep us competitive."[2]
Economic and fiscal analysis conducted by The Third House Advocacy Group, LLC and commissioned by the City of Fort Wayne released many findings on the topic. The findings included:
- The Fort Wayne market could support between 1,727 and 2,283 gaming positions, at full capacity.
- Fort Wayne may have to enter the gaming market more conservatively, with housing between 500 and 1,500 positions.
- A mature Fort Wayne gaming market, at capacity, may generate between $184 million and $244 million in annual adjusted gross revenue.
- Fort Wayne is a substantial and relatively untapped gaming market.[3]
Opposition
In a Fort Wayne News editorial, commentary was made in opposition to Henry's plan for a casino. The commentary dissected the mayor's comments and counter argued that the economic impact would in fact be negative, bringing up the issue of low wage jobs such as dealers, waitresses, bus boys, cooks and parking attendants. Also mentioned was the fact that casinos keep dealers at or below 30 hours to keep them from becoming full time employees, thus preventing them from attaining health care benefits.
The writer stated:
"Henry seeks to balance the city budget on the backs of the poorest and most vulnerable citizens, all the while basking in the virtue of fighting tax increases. Bringing a casino to Fort Wayne will only peddle false hope to confiscate cash from our poorest citizens to fatten shrinking city coffers."
Path to the ballot
John Henry and the City of Fort Wayne lobbied the Indiana General Assembly to support the idea of a city wide referendum with legislation to enable it. The Indiana General Assembly met in late June, holding a special session discussing different matters around the state.[4]
Status
Despite the City of Fort Wayne spending $40 thousand to bring a referendum on the gaming issue, the Indiana General Assembly did not produce a referendum from the special session at the Indiana Statehouse. Henry has stated that the issue of gaming in Fort Wayne will come up again and that he will reassess how, and if, he will proceed.
See also
- Fort Wayne mayor upset over lack of casino referendum
- Indiana News Center, "Mayor still thinks voters deserve casino referendum," March 16, 2010
External links
Footnotes
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