Indiana

Ticket Tax, Anyone?

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

One of the architects of the original Lucas Oil Stadium financing plan says a ticket tax or user fee might be the way to go to make for the stadium’s nearly $45 million operational shortfall.  

Capital Imporvement Board officials reported last week that Lucas Oil would run millions in operational deficits.  However, Republican State Senator Luke Kenley says any broad-based tax is unlikely because the general public has paid enough for the facility and that a user fee or ticket tax would probably work better.  Kenley also says lawmakers may also have to look at whether the Colts, Pacers and Indians are paying their fair share as well.

An original proposal would have rolled over the operational costs into the Stadium’s long term financing, but Kenley opposed the measure saying it would have been an irresponsible 

Kenley made it clear that any statewide bailout is out of the question, because it would just open the door to other Indiana cities and towns asking the State to give them money to cover the costs of their operating facilities.

CIB officials expect to unveil more financial information at their next meeting.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on February 04, 2009 (boomark / email).