2019 Legislative Agenda

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#TogetherWeThrive

2019

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA LOCAL & REGIONAL | STATE | FEDERAL


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 2018 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

HB 1002: Reorganization of Workforce Funding and Programs Requires an annual workforce related program review by the legislative services agency. SB 50: Governor’s Workforce Cabinet Establishes the governor’s workforce cabinet. Specifies the membership and duties of the cabinet. SB 297: Employability Skills Curriculum Provides that the department of workforce development will establish standards that provide students with career and college planning resources under the Indiana career explorer program and standards. SB 419: Professional and Occupational Licenses Provides that an agency or political subdivision may require verification of an individual’s eligibility for a professional or occupational license. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT | SECTION ONE: LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

SB 1: Sunday Carryout Sales Allows for the sale of alcoholic beverages for carryout on Sunday from noon until 8 p.m. SB 353: Tax Credit Matters Establishes the regional development tax credit. Allows a taxpayer to apply to the Indiana economic development corporation (IEDC) for the credit. SB 221: INSPECT Program Allows a dispenser of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine or a controlled substance to transmit certain information to the INSPECT program by any electronic method that meets specifications prescribed by the state board of pharmacy (board). SB 139: Investigation of Overdose Deaths Provides requirements for the county coroner to perform if a controlled substance overdose – whether accidental or intentional – is reasonably suspected as a person’s cause of death.


FEDERAL PRIORITIES • • • • •

Federal Spending Tax Reform Federal Overreach Federal Transportation Funding Reform the Affordable Care Act

STATE PRIORITIES

• Workforce Development • Fighting the Drug Epidemic • Diversity & Inclusion • Early Childhood Education • K-12 Education • Career & Technical Education • Higher Education • Improved Access to Retirement Plans

LOCAL & REGIONAL PRIORITIES • • • • • • • • •

Downtown Development Fighting the Drug Epidemic Quality of Place Blight Removal & Infill Development Promise Zone Regional Collaboration Increased Broadband Access Complete Streets Building a Healthier Community

TOP 5

PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES Listed below are our TOP 5 public policy priorities for 2019, based on results from our annual Legislative Survey.

COMPLETION OF I-69

Support swift completion of Interstate 69 in Indiana between the Kentucky/ Indiana state line on the southern border and Indianapolis on the northern border; completion to include new Ohio River bridge.

TALENT/WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Support local and state efforts to streamline the needs of employers and educators to best align our state’s talent base with the needs of employers to address the million-plus jobs that will be available by 2026.

REGIONAL CITIES 2.0

Support policies and projects that yield public and private investment as a tactic to grow our available workforce by making our communities even more livable and attractive.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Support investments that enable the movement of people, products and information around our region, from expanded services at Evansville Regional Airport (EVV) to water and sewer piping to increased broadband capacity to all the other investments that make the economy flow.

HEALTHY POPULATION

Support policies and programs designed to improve the health and wellness of our workforce, including reducing and eliminating the drug epidemic; ensuring access to quality, affordable health care; and walkability initiatives.


LOCAL & REGIONAL PRIORITIES

By continuing to support initiatives such as downtown growth and infill development, the Southwest Indiana Chamber stays true to its core mission by fostering the region’s economy and supporting sustainable community development. The Chamber champions local efforts on projects and concepts that enhance our quality of place, such as removing blight from our neighborhoods and drugs from our streets.

All of these efforts lead to Southwest Indiana becoming an even more attractive place to live, work and grow a business.


QUALITY OF PLACE

Support enhanced community amenities and assets that foster talent attraction and retention. Support policies and projects suggested in the Millennial Plan 2040. Support the implementation and funding of the City of Evansville’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2015. Support “Top 10” projects outlined in the Evansville Metropolitan Planning Organization Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity Master Plan 2015. Support efforts to preserve and maintain Bosse Field.

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT

Support policies, projects and funding for the Downtown Evansville Master Plan. Support policies and projects that yield downtown investment throughout communities in Southwest Indiana.

REGIONAL COLLABORATION Support improved regional collaboration on issues affecting Southwest Indiana.

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.

FIGHTING THE DRUG EPIDEMIC

Support efforts at the state and local levels to decrease and ultimately eliminate the drug epidemic seen throughout Indiana.

POSEY COUNTY

Support efforts by regional sheriffs to expand county jails and put emphasis on mental health and addiction recovery programs to adequately handle the increased overpopulation in our jails.

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

BLIGHT REMOVAL AND INFILL DEVELOPMENT

Support blight removal and increased infill development to grow our city’s tax base and improve economic development opportunities.

PROMISE ZONE

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

INCREASED BROADBAND ACCESS

Support increased statewide private sector investment in wireless and wire line broadband telecommunications infrastructure.

COMPLETE STREETS

Support funding for new “Complete Streets” in Evansville as a tool to drive economic development, more transportation options for citizens, enhance quality of place and encourage lifestyle choices. Support local ordinances at city and county levels that encourage new road and major street renovations and repairs to be designed as “complete streets.” Support the implementation of a robust bike and pedestrian plan to allow multiple transportation options for residents.

EDUCATION

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

TRANSPORTATION

Support funding to alleviate rail congestion and move rail service off of 4th Street in Mt. Vernon. Support the completion of State Road 69 (Western Bypass), which will provide a safer traffic route around the City of Mt. Vernon in Posey County. Support the modification of excise tax, distributed based on all vehicles, including trucks.

INCREASED BROADBAND ACCESS

Support increased statewide private sector investment in wireless and wire line broadband telecommunications infrastructure.

TAX PHASE-IN

Allow for the continued use of tax phase-in as an economic development tool for local governments. Allow for creative options for counties to market and encourage individuals to move into and reside in rural counties.

HOME RULE

Support efforts to preserve home rule for Indiana’s rural cities and towns.


STATE PRIORITIES

As the Crossroads of America, it’s critical for Indiana to invest in infrastructure that encourages business and flourishes the economy. The Southwest Indiana Chamber fully supports projects — such as the completion of Interstate 69, utilizing TIF districts and improving access to higher education — that will create and retain jobs and opportunities for all Hoosiers, especially here in Southwest Indiana.


REGIONAL CITIES 2.0

Support establishing the Regional Redevelopment Tax Credit to allow quality of place and talent retention and attraction projects to continue while maintaining a regional collaboration model to cultivate high-quality communities across Indiana.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Support local and state efforts to streamline the needs of employers and educators to best align our state’s talent base with the needs of employers to address the millionplus jobs that will be available by 2026. Study and benchmark efforts in other states to support best practices in the talent and workforce policy initiatives space. Endorse policies that encourage lifelong learning and increase the educational attainment level of Hoosiers across the state.

WORKFORCE HEALTH

Support efforts at the state and local levels to decrease and ultimately eliminate the drug epidemic seen throughout Indiana. Support increasing the cigarette tax as an effort to decrease smoking rates, lower healthcare costs and improve the health of Indiana’s workforce.

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

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Support legislative efforts that promote diversity, inclusion and equality, including the establishment of a Hate Crimes statute.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Support state funding for a statewide Prekindergarten program for all low-income Hoosier 4-year-olds.

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.

HIGHER EDUCATION

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

IMPROVED ACCESS TO RETIREMENT PLANS

Support legislation that provides small business owners the ability to gain easier access to retirement plans for employees.


FEDERAL PRIORITIES

On the federal level, the Chamber places priority on policies that trickle down from the national level to have an impact regionally. We support revisions to the Affordable Care Act that eliminate taxes on small business and the repeal of any taxes that create hardships to Indiana’s health care industry. Other initiatives such as responsible federal spending, meaningful tax reform and funding for transportation growth like I-69 that boost the growth of Southwest Indiana are backed by the Chamber.


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 branch of the federal government that would unduly burden small businesses through the rulemaking process with little or no input from the legislative branch.

FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION FUNDING Support legislative efforts to shore up the National Highway Trust Fund and efforts to increase surface transportation funding.

Advocate for Congress to support alternative ways to fund our transportation network, such as more local flexibility, increased user fees and increase of the gas tax at the federal level.

Support the inclusion of Interstate 69 and the I-69 Ohio River bridge as a designated part of the National Freight Network. 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 and National Significance, and support their continued funding at the federal level.

REFORM THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT Support the repeal of the medical device tax, as it directly impacts the medical device community in Indiana. Support the US Chamber’s efforts to repeal the Cadillac tax, which will require roughly a 40% excise tax on high-value health care plans. Support innovative plans for Medicaid expansion as seen in the Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0 (HIP 2.0).


OUR ADVOCACY TEAM TARA BARNEY

President & CEO

VICKI SCHMITT

Executive Assistant CHRISTINE KECK

Chairman, Board of Directors

CURT BEGLE

Chair-Elect, Board of Directors

LUKE YAEGER

Board Vice Chair for Advocacy & Public Policy PEPPER MULHERIN

Government Affairs Committee Chair

GET ENGAGED

Let your voice be heard. Join us 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, Twitter and LinkedIn to closely follow the exciting progress we’re making within our region.

JOHN DIDOMIZIO

Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chair

OUR REGION’S ELECTED LEADERS UNITED STATES SENATE Mike Braun Todd Young

VANDERBURGH COUNTY

UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Larry Bucshon (IN-08)

CITY COUNCIL

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 Matt Hostettler - District 64

CITY OF EVANSVILLE MAYOR

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

Ben Shoulders - District 1 Jeff Hatfield - District 2 Cheryl Musgrave - District 3

VANDERBURGH COUNTY COUNCIL

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

CITY OF MT. VERNON MAYOR

Bill Curtis

CITY COUNCIL

Becky Higgins - At-Large Mark Pharr - District 1 Larry Williams - District 2 Andy Hoehn - District 3 Mark Clements - District 4

POSEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

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

Bob Gentil - At-Large Don Mattingly - At Large Stefani Miller - At Large David Pearce - At Large Martin Redman - At Large Carl Schmitz - At Large Tom Schneider - At Large Jerry Walden - At Large Ralph Weinzapfel - At Large James Alsop - District 3


THANK YOU TO OUR SIGNATURE CIRCLE PARTNERS


EVANSVILLE 318 Main Street, Suite 401 Evansville, IN 47708 812-425-8147

POSEY COUNTY OFFICE 231A Main Street PO Box 633 Mt. Vernon, IN 47620 812-838-3639

www.swinchamber.com @SWINChamber


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