The Hamilton County Business Issues Committee was created by the six Hamilton County Chambers of Commerce to provide county-based businesses with opportunities to share their concerns with elected officials and to influence the direction of business-friendly legislation.
HAMILTON COUNTY BUSINESS ISSUES COMMITTEE
2011 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
Economic Development
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Support keeping Indiana on the cutting edge of all economic development incentives and tax benefits that enhance growth by providing flexibility of these current incentives:
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Allow the full benefits of current tax credits now spread out over 5-10 years to be used in years 1-3 with the net impact being the same to the business.
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Allow economic development-based tax credits to be monetized, sold or transferred when it is in the best interest of the business and the state.
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Support federal policies that encourage economic development without a disproportionate impact on Indiana, such as an energy policy that ensures adequate reserves and promotes additional electric power capacity through a variety of standard and alternative sources. State legislators and leaders should be proactive and involved in the development of national policies.
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Education
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Support changes in public school funding so that state dollars follow and support students where they are currently attending school.
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Support freeing high-achieving schools from state regulations in the same manner that charter schools are freed from such regulations, including evaluation systems, staff development opportunities, school day definitions and grading systems.
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Support clarifying the ability of schools to provide factual information in referendum elections.
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Support changes in collective bargaining to limit the scope of bargaining to salary and benefits and to eliminate the concept of status quo.
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Support fall school board elections during the general election to increase participation, and allow newly-elected members to take office at the beginning of the calendar year.
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Transportation & Transit
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Support the construction of I-69 and U.S. 31 in Hamilton County on schedule.
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Support the intent of the legislation creating Major Moves and oppose efforts to dilute or shift those funds to projects other than road construction.
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Oppose the reallocation of the state gas tax to agencies the gas tax was not intended to fund.
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Support development of additional funding programs including public-private partnerships to enhance infrastructure development.
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Support the funding and implementation of a regional transit plan, and support a referendum to allow citizens to voice their support.
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Local Government Modernization
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Support local government reform to increase accountability, transparency and effectiveness.
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Property Tax Reform
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Support continued modernization of our assessment system toward one that is managed through a common, integrated database to ensure consistency.
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Strongly oppose any further attempts to lessen homeowners’ property tax burdens through additional shifts to business taxpayers.
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Immigration
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Immigration is a matter to be legislated at the federal level. Oppose legislative efforts to address immigration issues at the state level, particularly efforts to place responsibility for illegal workers on businesses.
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Download 2011 Legislative Agenda & Committee Members
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