By Dan Carpenter in the Indianapolis Star:
Recent days have not brought good news for those who seek to hold the preachers of fiscal responsibility and practical priorities to their word.
We learned that the state will gamble nearly $25 million in lost tax revenue to help casinos enjoy a “level playing field” with competitors in neighboring states.
We heard Mayor Greg Ballard stick to his plan to spend $6 million on a level field for cricket rather than consider the Democrats’ proposal to squander the sum on the frivolity of hiring policemen.
Above the field, where the elite meet for Colts games, there will be more luxury suites courtesy of $1.7 million of our tax dollars via the Capital Improvement Board, hereby dubbed the Irsay-Simon ATM. Remember, the mayor also has rebuffed Democratic ideas of using CIB money for public safety.
The common denominator in these entertainment investments is speculation.
Perhaps another taxpayer gift to the gaming industry, which was already fading before rivals massed at our borders, will pay off in lots of new jobs and more than $25 million in new taxes.
Perhaps our world-class status and appeal will be enhanced by a exotic sports venue that will bring in new millions from tourists, with minimal muggings due to a below-strength police force.
Perhaps another couple million on top of the $700 million or so in public subsidy of the successful for-profit football team will tip the scales toward another Super Bowl. One cannot, after all, take the National Football League aristocracy’s needs for granted.
Speaking of success, let’s not even think about the surging Pacers, whose owner just announced the business was “turning the corner” (no figures given) and will soon issue his next demand for taxpayer help in addition to the free fieldhouse and eight-figure operating handout.
These are big bucks — for a state that could not find $14 million to give preschool a shorter test than it’s giving gambling; for a city under a property tax cap that uses smoke and mirrors to cover its budget; for a public that wonders how we got to this state of co-dependency with roulette-spinners and ball-bouncers while we’re laying off teachers and truck inspectors.
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See the full editorial here:
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013306150006
