INDIANAPOLIS | State Sen. Frank Mrvan, D-Hammond, has found a new legislative perch for his three-year quest to pry open the books of a politically connected East Chicago development group created to build affordable housing.

On Monday, the Senate accepted an amendment requiring groups that receive at least $5,000 in riverboat casino subsidies to file annual reports showing how the money was spent.

The effort, now part of House Bill 1514, was inspired by the $16 million in casino cash that East Chicago Second Century has reaped under a deal brokered by former Mayor Robert Pastrick. Very little is known about how the for-profit developer, led by Pastrick allies Thomas Cappas and Michael Pannos, has spent the economic development subsidy.

Mrvan has sought the disclosure legislation three straight years. But each year, he said, economic development groups pressured House leadership to kill the measure.

"It's just that everybody is afraid to put themselves under the microscope," Mrvan said.

The amendment approved Monday likely moves the issue to a House-Senate conference committee, which gives Mrvan until the April 29 adjournment deadline to convince House leadership to back the oversight effort.