Bloomington, IN News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
Announces 2013 Indiana Legislative & Job Creation Priorities

Bloomington, IN – January 18, 2013 – The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce unveiled its list of legislative priorities during today’s annual Legislative Preview Luncheon. Prepared by The Chamber’s Legislative Council and approved by the organization’s board of directors, the 2013 Indiana Legislative Agenda cites five key issues that The Chamber will closely monitor and advocate for during this year’s session. The issues were selected based on their overall local relevance and impact; the organization’s ability to affect outcomes and also on feedback received via the annual Business Climate and Legislative Survey which was sent out to The Chamber’s full membership in early fall.

The five categories identified in The Chamber’s 2013 Indiana Legislative Agenda are:
• education (Preschool and K-12 education, along with higher education)
• infrastructure
• healthcare
• business taxation, regulation and job creation
• local government advancements

“This year’s survey results allowed the Legislative Council to better understand the realities and concerns of our membership,” explains Jim Shelton, interim President & CEO and government relations manager for The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. “Our members indicated priority issues within each of the categories including continued involvement in the planning and design of Section 5 of I-69, support for preschool funding, and efforts to educate members on implementation of the Affordable Care Act.”

The Chamber’s Legislative Council will actively continue to update, educate and involve members in its advocacy efforts during the upcoming legislative session through electronic communications like Advocacy Matters, Legislative Updates and The Chamber’s weekly newsletter Membership Matters. According to Shelton, a legislative update event, Third House – The People’s Voice, is planned for mid-session, along with the Legislative Wrap-Up event after the General Assembly’s adjournment.

“Through our events and our various communication tools, we continue to connect our members to their legislators and the issues that matter most to them,” added Shelton.

Formed in 2007, The Chamber’s Legislative Council was chartered by The Chamber’s Board of Directors to monitor the lawmaking process, aid Chamber staff in educating its members on legislative issues affecting business, and to help develop relationships with organizations and other chambers with shared interests. The volunteer Council, representing a diverse cross section of The Chamber’s membership, provides leadership and guidance on business issues at the State and Federal level.

For a complete copy of The Chamber’s 2013 Indiana Legislative Agenda, visit the advocacy section of The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.ChamberBloomington.org.

Contact: Liz Irwin, Public Policy Coordinator
lirwin@ChamberBloomington.org
812.336.6381
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