FORT WAYNE, IN (Indiana's NewsCenter) --- Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry believes the most noteworthy thing about this year's legislative special session has more to do with missed opportunity than any kind of accomplishment.

It's no secret Mayor Henry, more than anything else, wanted state lawmakers to pass a bill setting up a voter referendum to gauge citizen support, or lack of support, for casino gambling in the City of Fort Wayne.

But when the special session came to a close Tuesday night, Henry had to feel a little like the bride left at the altar.

The referendum bill was not a part of the new state budget, so he says there is no chance for the issue to be put to local voters this coming November.

Henry says his request was about "basic rights" and did not add a single penny to the budget.

Mayor Tom Henry/(D) Fort Wayne: " We all understood that the schedule for the special session was very tight and I appreciated the discipline demonstrated by our legislators, but I believe that some legitimate local needs would have benefited from Statehouse action."

The city hired two lobbying firms to push for the casino referendum bill.

The mayor says his staff will take a step back to determine whether it’s necessary to keep them on the city payroll.

The mayor is also frustrated about no action on another initiative he asked lawmakers to advance.

He wanted a bill establishing that the city has ownership of its electrical utility assets, power poles and lines, in the core of the city.

He says the city now may have to spend tens of millions of dollars in a court fight with Indiana-Michigan Power over those ownership rights.

If you want to hear more of what Henry had to say on that issue, you can click on the link at the bottom of this story.

Henry on Electric Utility

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