2013 budget draws fire; vote Monday

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Since the mayor's initial budget proposal was unveiled in August, both parties have gone back and forth over the proposed $65 million in cuts.

Indianapolis has upwards of 70,000 jobs related to tourism, from shopping to hotels and restaurants.

Republicans say the latest proposal from Democrats puts a lot of those jobs on the line.

Democrats have proposed taking $15 million from the Capital Improvement Board to help close the $65 million gap.

The CIB operates Lucas Oil Stadium, Bankers Life Fieldhouse and the convention center, among others.

This money, they say, will allow folks to keep their $24/year homestead tax credit.

Also, police and fire recruiting won't be cut.

Republicans, however, say taking $15 million from the CIB will be a disaster for tourism, putting at risk those 70,000 jobs.

They say the CIB needs that money for repairs to the buildings, staffing and upkeep.       

Without those things, they say conventions will go to another city, and Indianapolis can't afford to lose that revenue or those jobs.

By law, the budget has to be passed by Oct 31.

If a new budget isn't passed, then the current year's budget will be carried forward.