Ind. alcohol tax hike might be dropped

INDIANAPOLIS – A top state senator said Thursday he would likely drop his proposal to double Indiana’s alcohol tax statewide to help fund the agency that runs the major Indianapolis sports stadiums.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, told The Associated Press that he was probably going to amend his proposal next week to remove the statewide tax hike and instead give Marion County an array of taxing options to fund the Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board. That could include a local alcohol tax, he said.

Kenley says he suggested the statewide alcohol tax increase last week, thinking it might help the plan win votes. Kenley’s proposal would have funneled money to cities and towns around the state.

Indianapolis would have put its $8 million share toward its cash-strapped Capital Improvement Board, which runs Lucas Oil Stadium and Conseco Fieldhouse along with the city’s convention center.