INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana gambling regulators on Thursday brushed off concerns over the effects of a targeted, last-minute legislative change to the agency’s budget and casino fines.
“As with any law passed by the General Assembly, the Indiana Gaming Commission will work to fully comply with the provisions …” spokeswoman Stephanie McFarland said. She added the commission “does not anticipate any negative impact upon agency operations as a result of the bill.”
Statehouse Republicans this month finalized legislation increasing lawmaker oversight over the agency’s extra-budgetary requests. Currently, the executive branch can approve augmentation — or increased spending authorization — without legislative involvement.
But beginning in July, Senate Enrolled Act 256 will block the State Budget Agency or any other source from augmenting that agency’s budget without State Budget Committee approval. The entity comprises four voting lawmakers and the state budget director, and it usually meets every 60 days.
The legislation additionally directs casino fines and penalty money to the state’s coffers, instead of the agency’s.
Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, led efforts to crack down on the agency after going public with his grievances over the interim. He says the agency is too aggressive and punitive in regulating casinos.
Opponents, however, argued the changes could impede regulators’ efforts even as a former lawmaker is currently headed to prison for his involvement in a casino bribery scandal.
Read the complete story by Leslie Bonilla Muñiz for the Indiana Capital Chronicle, here.
