Indiana

John Gregg, Democratic gubernatorial candidate, says tourism losses over RFRA is a 'failure'

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The latest on a survey by a tourism group that says Indiana may have lost as much as $60 million at least in part due to the state’s religious objections law (all times local):

4:30 p.m.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg says a report indicating Indiana lost $60 million in tourism revenue due to a religious objections law illustrates a “failure” by his opponent.

Gregg said Tuesday that the findings of tourism group Visit Indy were “further proof” that GOP Gov. Mike Pence “hurt” Indiana’s economy. The group polled conventions that chose other locations after the Pence-backed religious objections law that critics said sanctioned discrimination against gay people.

The Associated Press first reported on Monday the results of the Visit Indy survey.

The law drew a national backlash. Some changes were made, but critics say it doesn’t go far enough to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people

1:15 p.m.

An evangelical group says a report indicating Indiana lost $60 million in tourism because of the uproar over a religious objections law obscures the fact that the economy is doing well.

Micah Clark of the American Family Association of Indiana says the impact of 12 conventions moving to other cities as a result of the law has been overblown. Clark says the loss of $60 million is unfortunate, but it’s a small fraction of the state’s overall economy.

The Associated Press first reported Monday the results of the Visit Indy survey. The organization polled conventions that chose other locations after the law that critics said sanctioned discrimination against gay people.

The Republican-backed law drew a national backlash. Some changes were made, but critics say the law doesn’t go far enough to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

12 p.m.

Indiana’s business community is swiftly reacting to a report indicating the state may have lost $60 million after a dozen conventions picked cities other than Indianapolis amid uproar over the state’s controversial religious objections law.

The Associated Press first reported on Monday the results of a survey conducted by the tourism group Visit Indy. The group polled conventions that located elsewhere after critics said the religious objections law sanctioned discrimination against gay people.

John Mills, a spokesman for diesel equipment manufacturer Cummins Inc., says he was “not surprised” by the numbers. Mills says the findings by Visit Indy confirm that the law damaged the state’s economy.

The Republican-backed law garnered quick national backlash after it was signed by Gov. Mike Pence in March.

1 a.m.

Tourism officials say Indiana may have lost as much as $60 million in revenue after a dozen conventions picked cities other than Indianapolis amid the uproar over the state’s controversial religious objections law.

A document prepared by tourism group Visit Indy shows that the 12 out-of-state groups were surveyed and all said the controversial law played a role in their decisions to locate their events elsewhere.

The document was obtained by The Associated Press ahead of its formal release Thursday.

The Republican-backed law garnered quick national backlash after it was signed by Gov. Mike Pence in March, with critics saying it sanctioned discrimination against gay people on religious grounds.

Some changes were made, but critics say the law doesn’t go far enough to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

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