General Assembly closes without CIB solution-WEB ONLY

Lawmakers failed to take action on a bill last night before the General Assembly adjourned that would have given Indianapolis local taxing options to help its struggling stadium agency.

The bill may have some hope if it is revived in the special session that is now necessary after lawmakers failed to pass a new state budget.

Lawmakers had been working earlier in the day on a bill that would have allowed Indianapolis to raise hotel, car rental and ticket taxes to fund its Capital Improvement Board, which oversees Lucas Oil Stadium, Conseco Fieldhouse and the Indiana Convention Center. The proposal would have also let the city collect state taxes from a new hotel.

The CIB Board of Managers announced today it would hold an emergency meeting about the situation tomorrow at 11 a.m. in Room 101 of the convention center.

Sen. Luke Kenley, a Republican from Noblesville who had worked for weeks on the proposal, said the bill got caught up in other issues as the midnight deadline to adjourn loomed.

Kenley said the CIB proposal would have raised up to $22 million – but the board expects to be $47 million short. Kenley said the city would have to find the rest of the money itself.

Kenley had previously suggested that the Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers each pitch in $5 million. The Colts balked at the suggestion, and neither team has agreed to pay. City officials say they have been in continued talks with both teams.

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard had asked lawmakers for a “menu” of taxing options, and specifically suggested raising the hotel, car rental and ticket taxes. Ballard had also asked lawmakers to allow an increase in taxes on alcohol sold in Marion County, but that idea was dropped from the proposal.