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Visit Indy says fallout from RFRA has cost Indianapolis at least $60 million.
Doug JaggersINDIANAPOLIS -- Visit Indy says the fallout from Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act cost the city at least $60 million. And the Indianapolis tourism group worries the economic impact will be long-lasting.
At least a dozen conventions cited RFRA as a reason for not choosing Indianapolis as a host city on Visit Indy’s annual survey.
Republican lawmakers have said the fix they passed last year would repair any damage done by the controversy. But Visit Indy Vice President Chris Gahl says that remains to be seen.
"Ultimately, 2016 will be a telltale for Indianapolis tourism as we see really truly the impact unfolding into the third and fourth quarter of this year," Gahl said.
He says the current debate over LGBT rights is also hurting Indiana’s reputation and could ultimately cost the state more money. Some of those bills will be debated in senate committee Wednesday.
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