Got One Right!

In signing HEA 1153 into law, Governor Mitch Daniels said

“Hoosiers believe in freedom, but also in personal responsibility in the exercise of our liberties, … I sign this bill with misgivings and caution, and the hope that any Hoosiers who choose to risk their money in these games will do so responsibly and with extreme care.” 

 http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080320/LOCAL1901/803200470

It is very refreshing to see that Governor Daniels got this one exactly right. The law legalizes pull tabs, punch boards, tip boards, and daily drawings in Indiana bars and taverns with restrictions.  It is a sensible law that not only helps Indiana small business but also will generate some additional tax revenue from cash-based activities that previously generated none.

According to a summary of the bill from the Indiana Licensed Beverage Association, 

-sales can begin on July 1^st, 2008

-sales restricted to bar areas where minors are not allowed

 

-anyone planning to sell these games will need to first apply for a $250 retailer endorsement to go on their liquor license

 

-licensing will be administered by the Alcohol & Tobacco Commission

 

-games must be purchased from a licensed distributor

 

-all excise taxes will be collected by the distributor at the time of purchase

 

-daily drawings must be a 100% payout with a to-be-determined cap on the amount of winnings (probably $300)

In my opinion, this legislation is a pretty good example of some common sense legislation that is actually a win for Indiana small business, a win for Indiana government, and a win for grownup individuals who believe that they should have the right to run their own lives without undue meddling by others, especially government agents or hypocritical busybodies.

It was also encouraging to see that two legislators from LaPorte County, State Representative Tom Dermody and State Senator Jim Arnold, were supportive of this legislation.  This bill does represent good government that properly balances the interests of individual citizens with an appropriate oversight role for government.  Thanks to all for getting this one right.  

This entry was posted on 21. March 2008 at and is filed under Government. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.