INDIANAPOLIS – There wasn’t much talk about state finances on the first day of a special legislative session called to pass a new state budget.

But there was plenty of discussion about gambling.

Lawmakers are in overtime because they failed to pass a budget during their regular session in April. The state’s current budget runs out June 30.

But gambling issues appear to be clouding the legislature’s focus.

The House Rules Committee on Thursday agreed to waive rules and let the chamber consider three bills in an expedited manner. House Republicans agreed to the waiver for House Bill 1001, which contains the House Democratic budget proposal.

But they opposed moving two other bills – House Bill 1002 and House Bill 1003 – that had not been made available to legislators or citizens.

The first is a solution for Indianapolis’ Capital Improvement Board deficit – commonly known in the Statehouse halls as a vehicle for gambling provisions.

The second was a bill auditing the Family and Social Services Administration’s modernization efforts.

“I have a problem with coming here to fast-track a bill on gaming,” said Rep. Eric Turner, R-Marion.

Democrats denied the allegation, saying there are no gambling provisions in the bills.

Then House Speaker Pat Bauer, D-South Bend, said gambling discussions are to be expected if solving the Capital Improvement Board’s problems is to be part of the special session. But he wants to keep gambling separate from the budget.

“I’m happy (gambling) is not in the budget,” he said. “That’s the joy I have and the only joy I have so far about the budget process.”

Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, said he will offer an amendment to the capital improvement bill that would allow one of Gary’s two riverboat casinos to move to a more profitable, possibly on-land location in Lake County.

Other likely gambling provisions include help for the state’s two struggling horse track casinos and a change in the admission tax for the casino in French Lick.

And Fort Wayne officials are still trying to gain approval for a referendum on whether gambling should be allowed in the city.

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry worked the halls Thursday on that issue and others.

“What I’m interested in is a referendum. That’s what I want,” he said. “I want the citizens of Fort Wayne to determine the fate of gaming in our community.”

But Brown said he is tired of waiting for Fort Wayne officials to come out in favor of moving the second Gary license to the city, noting that Fort Wayne’s lobbyists express interest in private conversations but that officials have stayed mum.

“I’m through with Fort Wayne,” he said. “Fort Wayne has been too docile and inactive. They have an absence of spunk.”

Henry said he is not endorsing one gambling opportunity over another and that Gary lawmakers should move forward with what is best for their community.

He said that if a referendum passes, then the city of Fort Wayne will examine its options.

Meanwhile, the state Senate convened and recessed “until further notice.”

Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, has said his chamber will not consider any gambling bills during the special session.

And he told his members Thursday that he won’t call them back into session until they have a budget bill from the House to consider. All budget bills must start in the House per the Indiana Constitution.

That process gets under way today when the House Ways and Means Committee meets at 9 a.m. to review and discuss the Democratic proposal. Details are unknown except that the proposal uses cash reserves to provide more money for education than the budget proposed by Gov. Mitch Daniels, and it covers only one year.

Long hopes the budget bill is through the House by the middle of next week.

nkelly@jg.net