February 5, 2021 at 5:57 p.m.
Holdman introduces tax proposal
Measure would allow more tax dollars to go to home of Mad Ants, Komets
Holdman introduces tax proposal
INDIANAPOLIS — Up to $2 million in new subsidies may be going toward Fort Wayne’s arena.
Senate Bill 384, authored and introduced by State Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle) in the Senate Appropriations Committee Thursday, would expand how much Allen County can collect from professional sports and convention development area taxes from $3 million to $5 million with the majority of that money going toward Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, home of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants and Fort Wayne Komets.
The arena will also play host to next week’s wrestling semi-state tournament, including competitors who advance from Saturday’s regional at Jay County High School.
“Northeast Indiana supports this … We have a sense that what’s good for Fort Wayne is good for the region,” said Holdman, who represents parts of northeast Indiana including Jay County.
The bill, which passed unanimously out of committee and will go to the full Indiana Senate for a vote, was amended to establish a professional sports and convention development area tax district in South Bend with money raised going toward Four Winds Field, home of the South Bend Cubs.
“We need that shot in the arm to get to that next step,” Allen County Commissioner Nelson Peters said while testifying in support of the bill.
C.J. Steigmeyer, chief operating officer of the coliseum, estimated the venue is worth $110 million in economic development for the northeast Indiana region. Possible improvements Steigmeyer is planning for the coliseum involve it hosting additional events and laying a new ice floor, which he said would cost $5 million.
The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum has a capacity of around 10,000 for most events and is the home of the Mad Ants, the G League affiliate of the Indiana Pacers, the Komets, a minor-league hockey affiliate of the Las Vegas Golden Knights, and the Fort Wayne Derby Girls of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association.
In the past, the coliseum has hosted the NBA Finals, many NCAA tournaments and two rallies by former president Donald Trump — one during the 2016 Republican primary and another during his presidency.
During the same committee session, Holdman also voted in favor of Senate Bill 356, which could lead to a new gaming license for the Four Winds South Bend casino. That bill passed out of the committee 12-1.
Sen. Ryan Mishler (R-Bremen) was listed as an author for both Senate Bills 356 and 384.
To the Senate
A bill authored by State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) has passed through the Indiana House of Representatives and will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.
House Bill 1150, which among other changes would limit the fine issue period related to oversized loads, passed on third reading out of the House in a 91-2 vote and is sponsored by Sens. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) and Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond).
The bill had one amendment, introduced by Prescott during the bill’s second reading, that would increase the maximum fine for storing and towing an abandoned 30-foot or longer vehicle from $2,000 to $2,500.
That fine was previously written to be increased to $5,000 in an amendment to the bill made when it was being debated in the House Roads and Transportation Committee last week.
Prescott represents all of Jay and Randolph counties and part of Delaware County.
No new taxes
Holdman announced in a press release Wednesday that the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee will not hear any bills that would raise the local food and beverage taxes during this legislative session.
"According to an industry survey, about one in five Indiana restaurants has permanently closed since the start of the pandemic, making it more critical now than ever to support Indiana's restaurants," said Holdman, chair of the committee, in the press release. "I know that there are some localities that may not like this decision, but we firmly believe that a tax increase on our restaurants is simply not appropriate at this time.”
The announcement was preceded by a joint resolution from Fort Wayne City and Allen County councils lobbying against any increase to the tax.
New bills
Holdman was added as a sponsor to House Bills 1230 and 1238, both of which are available to view along with every other bill at iga.in.gov.
Senate Bill 384, authored and introduced by State Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle) in the Senate Appropriations Committee Thursday, would expand how much Allen County can collect from professional sports and convention development area taxes from $3 million to $5 million with the majority of that money going toward Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, home of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants and Fort Wayne Komets.
The arena will also play host to next week’s wrestling semi-state tournament, including competitors who advance from Saturday’s regional at Jay County High School.
“Northeast Indiana supports this … We have a sense that what’s good for Fort Wayne is good for the region,” said Holdman, who represents parts of northeast Indiana including Jay County.
The bill, which passed unanimously out of committee and will go to the full Indiana Senate for a vote, was amended to establish a professional sports and convention development area tax district in South Bend with money raised going toward Four Winds Field, home of the South Bend Cubs.
“We need that shot in the arm to get to that next step,” Allen County Commissioner Nelson Peters said while testifying in support of the bill.
C.J. Steigmeyer, chief operating officer of the coliseum, estimated the venue is worth $110 million in economic development for the northeast Indiana region. Possible improvements Steigmeyer is planning for the coliseum involve it hosting additional events and laying a new ice floor, which he said would cost $5 million.
The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum has a capacity of around 10,000 for most events and is the home of the Mad Ants, the G League affiliate of the Indiana Pacers, the Komets, a minor-league hockey affiliate of the Las Vegas Golden Knights, and the Fort Wayne Derby Girls of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association.
In the past, the coliseum has hosted the NBA Finals, many NCAA tournaments and two rallies by former president Donald Trump — one during the 2016 Republican primary and another during his presidency.
During the same committee session, Holdman also voted in favor of Senate Bill 356, which could lead to a new gaming license for the Four Winds South Bend casino. That bill passed out of the committee 12-1.
Sen. Ryan Mishler (R-Bremen) was listed as an author for both Senate Bills 356 and 384.
To the Senate
A bill authored by State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) has passed through the Indiana House of Representatives and will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.
House Bill 1150, which among other changes would limit the fine issue period related to oversized loads, passed on third reading out of the House in a 91-2 vote and is sponsored by Sens. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) and Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond).
The bill had one amendment, introduced by Prescott during the bill’s second reading, that would increase the maximum fine for storing and towing an abandoned 30-foot or longer vehicle from $2,000 to $2,500.
That fine was previously written to be increased to $5,000 in an amendment to the bill made when it was being debated in the House Roads and Transportation Committee last week.
Prescott represents all of Jay and Randolph counties and part of Delaware County.
No new taxes
Holdman announced in a press release Wednesday that the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee will not hear any bills that would raise the local food and beverage taxes during this legislative session.
"According to an industry survey, about one in five Indiana restaurants has permanently closed since the start of the pandemic, making it more critical now than ever to support Indiana's restaurants," said Holdman, chair of the committee, in the press release. "I know that there are some localities that may not like this decision, but we firmly believe that a tax increase on our restaurants is simply not appropriate at this time.”
The announcement was preceded by a joint resolution from Fort Wayne City and Allen County councils lobbying against any increase to the tax.
New bills
Holdman was added as a sponsor to House Bills 1230 and 1238, both of which are available to view along with every other bill at iga.in.gov.
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