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Study: Indiana Misses Out On $13 Million A Year Due To Gay Marriage Ban

Stan Jastrzebski
/
WBAA News

Allowing same-sex couples to marry could provide a $39 million boost to Indiana’s economy in the next three years.  That’s according to a recent report from the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law. 

The study indicates that if same-sex marriage was legalized millions of dollars would be spent on wedding expenses, guest travel and tourism, and sales taxes. 

Ball State University economics professor Michael Hicks says even though the study finds some 550 new jobs could be created as a result of the new industry, the conclusions are a conservative estimate. 

“Like other studies that economists do, it’s a very narrow estimate of what would happen if marriage is extended to same sex couples, how many people get married, what sort of economic activity would that expenditure generate,” Hicks says.

Indiana does not recognize gay marriage and talk of a proposed constitutional referendum dominated this year's legislative session. A judge is expected to rule soon in a case challenging the state’s law.

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