I always thought "a good blend" was, oh, a Johnnie Walker or Seagram's Seven Crown in which the cheap fillers don't overwhelm the malted grain. But, no, it refers to the mix of the fix for Indianapolis' beleagured sports stadiums:
Indiana's alcohol tax would be doubled and hospitality taxes would be raised again under a Statehouse plan designed to bail out the financially struggling group that runs the professional sports stadiums in Indianapolis.
Sen. Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville) wants to add about 2 cents to the price of a shot of liquor and a penny to the price of a 12-ounce beer, starting July 1. Kenley's plan would also provide money from sports fans, the city of Indianapolis, the NFL Indianapolis Colts and NBA Indiana Pacers.
"I feel like it's a good blend," said Kenley, who planned to announce his proposal at a legislative hearing this morning.
The Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board expects to be $47 million short in its operation of Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Colts; Conseco Fieldhouse, home of the Pacers; Victory Field, home of the Indianapolis Indians; and the Indiana Convention Center. The board plans to cut expenses about $10 million, and Kenley wants the Pacers and Colts to each pitch in $5 million a year.
That means every time you have a shot and a beer, you would be helping make it possible for Peyton Manning and Danny Granger to continute the lifestyles they've grown accustomed to. That's not quite as heroic as minimum-wage or even unemployed smokers contributing to the health insurance of children from families at three times the poverty level every time they light up, but you're still being made a part of the whole. You belong, you contribute, you matter. So quit yer whinin'.
