2017 Legislative Agenda by Southwest Indiana Chamber

2017 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA SOUTHWEST INDIANA CHAMBER

JIM SANDGREN Chairman, Board of Directors

CHRISTY GILLENWATER President & CEO

JUSTIN GROENERT Director, Public Policy & Government Relations

JESSICA WILL Director, Marketing & Communications

OVERVIEW HOW WE IMPACT OUR REGION THROUGH ADVOCACY & PUBLIC POLICY • We positively impact regional, state, and federal issues relevant to the business community • We improve multi-modal regional transportation infrastructure to foster business growth • We effectively communicate our public policy efforts to increase grassroots participation • We advocate on behalf of our members and the greater business community to ensure our region continues to thrive BIG WINS FROM THE 2016 LEGISLATIVE SESSION I-69 BRIDGE ENVIRONMENT IMPACT STATEMENT: In June, Indiana Governor Mike Pence and Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin signed an agreement between the two states to begin work on an environment impact statement - the first critical step to building the I-69 Ohio River Bridge. ROAD FUNDING: House Bill 1001 increases road funding in the short term, creates a local road and bridge matching grant fund, created a sixteen member task force to suggest a long-term sustainable road funding plan, and fully funds a third Regional Cities grant - ensuring Southwest Indiana would receive a full $42 million. SUPPLEMENTAL DISTRIBUTIONS OF LOCAL INCOME TAX: Senate Bill 67 releases $430 million in already-collected local option taxes (held in reserve by the state) back to local governments to help with local transportation and infrastructure improvements. LAND BANKS: Senate Bill 232 authorizes second-tier cities to create a land bank to address blight elimination.

OUR FOCUS THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE EDUCATION & WORKFORCE ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY & SAFETY FEDERAL PRIORITIES POSEY COUNTY PRIORITIES

Read further to explore these issues that play a crucial role in the strength of our business community, shape our environment, and allow for a thriving region.

2017

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FEDERAL PRIORITIES • • •

Tax Reform Federal Regulations Immigration Reform

• •

Medical Device Tax Long-term Transportation Funding

• •

Casino Tax Revenue Land Bank Funding

• •

Complete Streets Infill Development & Blight Removal

STATE PRIORITIES • • •

Transportation Funding Pre-K Funding Employee Retirement Plans

LOCAL PRIORITIES • •

Downtown Development Regional Cities

PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES Listed below are our TOP 5 public policy priorities for 2017, based on results from our annual Legislative Survey.

COMPLETION OF I-69 Support completion of a new I-69 bridge over the Ohio River & swift completion of Interstate 69 in Indiana between the Kentucky/Indiana state line on the southern border and Indianapolis on the northern border

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT Support policies and projects, which yield investment in downtown and urban centers throughout communities in Southwest Indiana; support specific funding for Downtown Evansville Master Plan

#FLYEVV Support the expansion of services and facilities at Evansville Regional Airport (EVV), creating a more dynamic airport; work with state transportation officials to create a dedicated funding source for airports throughout the state

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION NETWORK Support local infrastructure projects that maintain and improve our ability to meet logistics needs of businesses in Southwest Indiana

QUALITY OF PLACE Support an enhanced quality of place in Southwest Indiana that fosters talent attraction and retention

2017 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA | LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Growing our regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy and supporting sustainable community development are at the core of the Southwest Indiana Chamber mission. To ensure our region continues to thrive, we support projects and concepts that enhance quality of place, making Southwest Indiana an even more attractive place to live, work, and grow a business.

ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT Support policies, projects, and funding for the Downtown Evansville Master Plan Support policies and projects, which yield downtown investment throughout communities in Southwest Indiana

QUALITY OF PLACE Support enhanced community amenities and assets, which foster talent retention and attraction Support policies and projects suggested in the Millennial Plan 2040 Support the implementation and funding of the City of Evansville Department of Parks and Recreation Parks & Recreation Master Plan 2015 Support “Top 10” projects outlined in the Evansville Metropolitan Planning Organization Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity Master Plan 2015

BLIGHT REMOVAL AND INFILL DEVELOPMENT Support blight removal and increased infill development to grow our city’s tax base and improve economic development opportunities Draft and support legislation that would give the state’s land bank legislation a self-funding mechanism to ensure they can adequately function in their role of blight removal in communities around Indiana

CASINO TAX REVENUE Support changes to Indiana’s gaming tax structure to meet casinos’ needs while also protecting local communities

TAX-INCREMENT FINANCING Support the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts as an economic development incentive and financing tool

REGIONAL CITIES Support funding for an ongoing Regional Cities program to allow quality of place and talent retention and attraction projects to continue throughout the state while maintaining a regional collaboration model

2017 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA | ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

NONPROFIT SUPPORT Support tax-exempt charitable giving from IRAs Support state and federal policies which support private philanthropy Continue collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce to combat executive branch overreach on issues detrimental to the health and wellbeing of our nonprofit community

PROMISE ZONE Support local government and nonprofit efforts to maximize effect of Evansville’s federal Promise Zone designation

REGIONAL COLLABORATION Support improved regional collaboration on issues affecting Southwest Indiana

INCREASED BROADBAND ACCESS Support increased statewide private sector investment in wireless and wire line broadband telecommunications infrastructure

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE As the Crossroads of America, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s critical for Indiana, and our region specifically, to uphold that moniker by investing in infrastructure that encourages businesses and our economy to flourish. We fully support projects, like the swift completion of Interstate 69, that will create and retain jobs and opportunities for the people and organizations of Southwest Indiana.

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS Support the efforts of Conexus and the Southwest Indiana Regional Logistics Council and their efforts to improve the logistics and transportation network in Southwest Indiana Support projects that alleviate congestion and improve traffic flow on the Lloyd Expressway (State Road 62 / State Road 66) in Vanderburgh, Posey, and Warrick Counties Support the completion of State Road 69 (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Western Connectorâ&#x20AC;?), which will provide a safer traffic route around the City of Mt. Vernon in Posey County

HIGHWAY FUNDING

INTERSTATE 69

Support policies at the federal and state levels that will provide long-term, sustainable road funding, including the use of increased user fees that will help fund critical highway and infrastructure projects across Indiana, as well as preserve and maintain the road network

Support the swift completion of Interstate 69 in Indiana

Support legislation that will provide increased funding and options to allow local government to provide adequate funding for local roads and infrastructure projects, including public-private partnerships

Support efforts by Indiana and Kentucky to complete the Environment Impact Study (EIS) and design work on the I-69 Ohio River Bridge as expediently as possible Support the completion of Interstate 69 Section 6, which will take the interstate from Martinsville to I-465 in Indianapolis and provide a seamless interstate connection between Indianapolis and Evansville, including using Public-Private Partnerships or other creative funding solutions

Support state funding for the completion of University Parkway, which will create a new, critically needed north-south route in western Vanderburgh County Support state funding for the expansion of Baseline Road, which will create a new, critically needed east-west route in northern Vanderburgh County

2017 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA | TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE AIR TRANSPORTATION

WATER & SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE

Support the creation of a dedicated funding stream for airports in the state of Indiana

Support funding for the study of regional sewer districts

Support additional state and federal funding for the enhancement and expansion of services and facilities, including projects outlined in Indiana’s Great Southwest Regional Cities Initiative proposal at Evansville Regional Airport

Support alternative funding mechanisms, like private equity bonds, to address maintenance needs of aging and crumbling water and sewer infrastructure

Support an increase to the Passenger Facility Charge to meet inflation, as one method for funding facility upgrades

COMPLETE STREETS Support funding for new “Complete Streets” in Evansville as a tool to drive economic development, add transportation options for citizens, enhance quality of place, and encourage healthier lifestyle choices Support local city and county ordinances that encourage new road and major street renovations be designed as “complete streets” Support for the implementation of the Bike and Pedestrian Plan of 2015 to allow multiple transportation options for residents

Support alternative funding options for funding enhanced infrastructure and regional partnerships to address potential water challenges faced by other communities in Indiana

REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY Support funding for the study of a new Regional Transit Authority to enhance the existing public transit system by increasing reliability, expanding its territory, and making it a more reasonable option as a primary mode of transportation for the community Further support the efforts of the Metropolitan Evansville Transit Authority to encourage implementation of the public transportation study and support Sunday service of our public transit network

2017 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA | TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE

PASSENGER RAIL Support the development of local, state, regional, and inter-city passenger rail service as a critical component of an overall transportation network

INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION Support a streamlined permit process, reduced onerous regulations, and thoughtful planning and zoning rules to enhance intermodal transportation infrastructure in Southwest Indiana Support the appropriate use of financial incentives to enhance intermodal transportation infrastructure in Southwest Indiana Support a new Ohio River port in Evansville to further foster intermodal commerce in Southwest Indiana Support a new regional rail truck intermodal facility

EDUCATION & WORKFORCE One of the most effective ways to support our regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workforce is through responsible education and workforce policies. From early childhood education to tailored workforce development initiatives, the Southwest Indiana Chamber supports legislation that provides our robust education systems with the ability to be flexible in order to meet the changing demands of our workforce needs.

EDUCATION & WORKFORCE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

HIGHER EDUCATION

Support state funding for a statewide pre-Kindergarten program for all Hoosier four-year olds

Support equitable funding for the University of Southern Indiana and Ivy Tech Community College Southwest

K-12 EDUCATION

Continue to support the multi-institutional academic health science research center and the inclusion of funding for Ivy Tech Community Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s programs at the downtown medical campus.

Support legislation that provides schools and teachers in Indiana communities with more freedom and flexibility to structure education to better fit the needs of students and employers Support an ISTEP replacement that serves as an accountability system to measure the performance of educators and schools

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION Support a study of the use of incentives provided to school districts to increase student participation in regional career and technical education programs coordinating with statewide groups like the Indiana Chamber, Indiana Manufacturing Association, Work One, and the Brain Power Taskforce in their work on this critical issue

BUILDING A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY Support community efforts to improve our quality of place and health outcomes through projects and programs that lead to a healthier lifestyle Support efforts at the state and local level to decrease and ultimately eliminate the drug epidemic seen throughout Indiana

IMPROVED ACCESS TO RETIREMENT PLANS Support legislation that provides small business owners the ability to gain easier access to retirement plans for employees

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Support enhancement of programs and projects that strengthen the link between publicly funded workforce development initiatives and economic development

2017 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA | EDUCATION & WORKFORCE

ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY, TECHNOLOGY The Southwest Indiana Chamber supports legislation that positions Indiana as one of the most business-friendly states in the nation. We support efforts that make our state the technology leader in the Midwest, environmental legislation that is not unnecessarily burdensome to business in our region, and energy policies that result in more Hoosier jobs.

ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT & SAFETY EPA OVERREACH

ENVIRONMENT

ENERGY

Oppose additional regulation that overly and unnecessarily burdens small businesses in Southwest Indiana, including the expanded reach of “Clean Waters of the US”

Support energy efficiency and conservation as the most cost-efficient and reasonable approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementation of appropriate steps to address the international nature of greenhouse gas emissions without negative economic impact

Support policies that grow the number of jobs and income in Indiana by producing more of the energy we need from our own natural resources, including coal, while encouraging conservation and energy efficiency and the increased use of renewable resources

Oppose additional attempts through federal regulation to further raise air quality standards, which will create undue burden without a clearer understanding of any cost-benefit analysis

Support efforts to allow for a diverse fossil fuel supply for energy that does not exclude clean coal efforts

Support efforts by the Indiana Chamber and others to secure and protect Southwest Indiana’s water supply Support Federal changes to allow for Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s primacy in Indiana with regard to Wetland and Wetland issues as an alternative to the current system that calls for United States Army Corps of Engineers oversight Support efforts that maintain the UST tank fund in its entirety and to oppose moving these funds for another use or to the general fund

2017 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA | ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT & SAFETY

FEDERAL POLICIES Our Federal priorities focus on ensuring our region, the state, and the United States all remain competitive in an increasingly globalized economy. We support legislation that focuses on finding a responsible balance for our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual budget, revisions to the Affordable Care Act that eliminate new taxes on small businesses, and the repeal of taxes that negatively impact Indianaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innovative healthcare industry.

FEDERAL PRIORITIES FEDERAL SPENDING Support responsible reform to both mandatory and discretionary spending within the federal budget with a focus on balancing the federal budget annually

TAX REFORM Support a simplified tax code and a lower corporate tax rate to make the United States more competitive in an increasingly globalized economy

FEDERAL OVERREACH Oppose efforts by the executive branches of the federal government that would unduly burden small businesses through the rule making process with little or no input from the legislative branch

2017 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA | FEDERAL PRIORITIES

FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION FUNDING

REFORM THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

Support the inclusion of Interstate 69 and the I-69 Ohio River Bridge as a designated part of the National Freight Network

Support the repeal of the medical device tax, as it directly impacts the medical device community in Indiana

Support the inclusion of Interstate 69 as a project eligible for various Department of Transportation programs including the National Freight Network and Projects of Regional or National Significance and support their continued funding at the federal level

Support the US Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to repeal the Cadillac tax, which will require roughly a 40% excise tax on high value health care plans

COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM Support US Chamber efforts to address comprehensive immigration reform that defends our borders, simplifies the visa system, encourages legal immigration, addresses the undocumented population issue and fosters a healthy environment where foreign nationals can successfully invest and establish themselves in our Hoosier communities

HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW AT THE STATEHOUSE SECOND HOUSE

BILL IS INTRODUCED IN HOUSE OR SENATE (HOUSE OF ORIGIN)

BILL IS INTRODUCED IN SECOND HOUSE

BILL IS ASSIGNED TO A COMMITTEE

BILL IS HEARD IN COMMITTEE

BILL RETURNS TO THE FLOOR FOR AMENDMENTS

BILL IS AMENDED AND ENGROSSED

BILL PASSES ON THIRD READING

BILL REPEATS THE PROCESS IN SECOND HOUSE (HOUSE OR SENATE)

IF THE BILL COMPLETES THE PROCESS IN SECOND HOUSE, PROCEED TO THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FLOWCHART

IF ALL THESE STEPS DO NOT OCCUR, BILL DIES.

HOUSE OF ORIGIN

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FLOWCHART START HERE WAS THE BILL AMENDED IN THE SECOND HOUSE?

DID THE AUTHOR CONCUR ON THE AMENDMENTS?

DID A MAJORITY OF THE HOUSE OF ORIGIN VOTE TO ADOPT THE CONCURRENCE?

BILL SENT TO GOVERNOR TO BECOME LAW

1. A dissent is filed and adopted in the House of Origin. 2. Conferees and advisors are assigned from House and Senate Caucuses. 3. Conference Committee meets to discuss changes made in Second House. 4. Conference Committee report drafted, including agreed upon changes.

WAS THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT SIGNED BY ALL FOUR CONFEREES?

WAS THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT PASSED BY BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE RULES COMMITTEES?

2017 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA | CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FLOWCHART

DID A MAJORITY OF BOTH HOUSES VOTE TO ADOPT THE REPORT?

BILL “DIES” AND DOES NOT BECOME LAW

POSEY COUNTY PRIORITIES EDUCATION

TRANSPORTATION

Support enhancement of programs and projects that strengthen the link between educators and Posey County employers

Support funding to alleviate rail congestion and move rail service off of 4th Street in Mt. Vernon

Support the increase of the base funding per pupil student for state public schools.

Support the completion of State Road 69 (Western By-Pass), which will provide a safer traffic route around the City of Mt. Vernon in Posey County Support the modification of excise tax, distribute based on all vehicles, including trucks

OUR ADVOCACY TEAM LUKE YAEGER

Board Vice Chair for Advocacy & Public Policy PEPPER MULHERIN

Local-Regional Government Affairs Committee Chair ANDREW WILSON

State-Federal Government Affairs Committee Chair JOHN DIDOMIZIO

Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chair

JUSTIN GROENERT

Director, Public Policy & Government Relations jgroenert@swinchamber.com

CHRIS ZIRKELBACH

Environment & Energy Committee Chair

OUR REGIONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ELECTED LEADERS UNITED STATES SENATE Joe Donnelly Todd Young UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Larry Bucshon (IN-08) INDIANA STATE SENATE Vaneta Becker - District 50 Jim Tomes - District 49 INDIANA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ron Bacon - District 75 Wendy McNamara - District 76 Ryan Hatfield - District 77 Holli Sullivan - District 78 Tom Washburne - District 64

VANDERBURGH COUNTY

VANDERBURGH COUNTY COUNCIL

CITY OF EVANSVILLE MAYOR

James Raben - District 1 Tom Shetler - District 2 Stephanie Terry - District 3 John Montrastelle (Vice President) - District 4 Joe Kiefer - At-Large Michael Goebel - At-Large Angela Koehler Lindsey (President) - At-Large

Lloyd Winnecke CITY COUNCIL

Dan McGinn - Ward 1 Missy Mosby - Ward 2 Anna Hargis - Ward 3 Constance Robinson - Ward 4 Justin Elpers - Ward 5 Jim Brinkmeyer - Ward 6 Dr. Dan Adams - At-Large Jonathan Weaver - At-Large Michelle Mercer - At-Large VANDERBURGH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Ben Shoulders - District 1 Bruce Ungethiem - District 2 Cheryl Musgrave - District 3

POSEY COUNTY CITY OF MT. VERNON MAYOR

Bill Curtis CITY COUNCIL

POSEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Carl Schmitz - District 1 Jim Alsop - District 2 Jay Price - District 3 POSEY COUNTY COUNCIL

Tom Schneider - District 1 Stefani Miller - District 2 Don Mattingly - District 3 David Pearce - District 4 Bob Gentil - At-Large Heather Allyn - At-Large Aaron Wilson - At-Large

Becky Higgins - At-Large Brian Jeffries - District 1 Larry Williams - District 2 Andy Hoehn - District 3 Brittaney Johnson - District 4

2017 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA | LEADERSHIP 2015 ANNUAL REPORT | SECTION ONE: LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

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GET ENGAGED Let your voice be heard. Join our Director of Public Policy and Government Relations in local and state discussions, connect with the Southwest Indiana Chamber at our events, and actively communicate with your legislators. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to closely follow the exciting progress weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re making within our region.

THANK YOU TO OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA SPONSORS:

EVANSVILLE

POSEY COUNTY

318 Main Street, Suite 401

915 E. 4th Street Â· PO Box 633

Evansville, IN 47708

Mt. Vernon, IN 47620

812-425-8147

812-838-3639

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