Senate Republicans Expected To Unveil Indy CIB Rescue Plan

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(INDIANAPOLIS) - Senate Republicans plan to unveil their proposal this week for bailing out Indy’s Capital Improvement Board.

The CIB runs Indy's downtown stadiums, but it's running short on operating expenses, and facing a possible lease renegotiation with the Pacers on top of that. Governor Daniels predicts the burden of any tax hikes will fall more on visitors than local residents, a forecast which might suggest a focus on hotel or rental-car taxes.

But Daniels says he's avoiding direct involvement in the negotiations, he says it's best handled by legislators reaching agreement among themselves. Four years ago, Daniels led the way in pushing through a regional food-beverage tax to build Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Colts' lease deal gives the team even non-football revenue at the stadium. One possibility that's been floated is to ask the Colts to rework their deal.

The senate appropriations committee will consider the plan on Thursday. It's likely to be folded into a House-passed bill extending by five years a Vanderburgh County food and beverage tax earmarked for Evansville's Convention Center.

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