The Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce understands that today's professionals are busy focusing on the day-to-day responsibilities of their business operations and may find it difficult to be active in public policy debates that will determine the future business climate.
Each year, we develop our Legislative Agenda based upon our Business Advocacy Councils and Committees. Our member-developed policies are created after engaging discussion and debate, with input from leading experts and our members.
Need to know what’s going on at the Statehouse or City-County Council? Our Business Advocacy team provides updates to important bills, issues and policies in the Indy Chamber’s weekly e-newsletter and other communications.
2012 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
Moving Central Indiana into the Future
Mass Transportation
- Referendum: Empower citizens of Central Indiana to determine if they want to commit to a mass transportation plan as proposed by the Central Indiana Transit Taskforce.
-
Investment: Increase dedicated state and local investments in mass transportation in Central Indiana.
-
Governance: Support a newly created board that will oversee the operations and financing of a regional transportation system.
Education Reform
- Accountability: Advocate for the amendment of laws which increase accountability, such as:
- Instituting multiple count days during the calendar year.
-
Modifying the timeline and threshold for state takeover under PL 221.
-
Governance: Support effective local governance of schools that provides for the efficient operation of successful schools and is held accountable for results.
Workforce
- Re-entry (ex-offenders and veterans): Advocate for legislation which removes barriers for the re-entry of ex-offenders and/or veterans and which provides incentives for those who hire ex-offenders and/or veterans.
-
Criminal Code and Sentencing: Advocate for modifications to the criminal code which will allow low-level offenders to have alternate means of punishment which would allow them to remain employed.
Immigration Reform:
- Federal Oversight: Encourage federal leadership on immigration reform, while opposing piecemeal state solutions that create unfair employer policing responsibilities. Continue to support enforcement of all local, state, and federal employment laws and regulations.
Government Modernization
- Statewide: Seek statewide implementation of recommendations made by the Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform to increase accountability, transparency and effectiveness of local governments throughout Indiana.
- Township Government: Streamline overlapping government functions through elimination of township government
-
Conflicts of Interest: Increase transparency and regulation of conflicts of interest in government hiring and election practices.