A new state law enables the city of gary to now
use casino money to lower property rates. Mayor Clay proposed at
the Inter-Faith Council Convention that part of the $543 million
obtained from Casino Funds within the last five years should be
appropriated for the senior citizen population of Gary.
Since then he has presented an ordinance
proposal to Mayor Scott King and the City Council. There has also been
overwhelming support from Church of God in Christ chaired by Bishop
Sanders and Bishop Warren as well as from Rev. Victor Davis of the
Inter-Raith Organization. Mayor Clay recieved 100 percent support
from retired steelworkers District 7. A total of 89% of the casino money
will be rebated back to the city. Other uses for the money will be used
to fund the City of Gary Budget, the School City of Gary the Public
Library, the Welfare Department, and the Township Trustee.
To qualify for this program, constituents 65 or
over, have a total income of $25,000 or less, owning only one home and
own no business. This program has been modeled after a similiar program
in Tunica, Mississippi which has successfully eliminated the property
tax burden for seniors.
