As the calendar changes, the Chamber advocacy reflects on the past year while also looking forward to the work ahead. After years of grumbling, we have finally witnessed real progress in the expansion of the Monroe County Convention Center. This development project required shuttle diplomacy by our President and continued public comments by the Chamber to drive this message home. The result is a Capital Improvement Board (CIB) that provides for shared governance. The county commissioners formed the CIB before it was later affirmed by the city council. This breakthrough was only after the Chamber and its partners earlier in the year were able to prevent the state legislature from sunsetting the food and beverage tax.  

Next year, the Chamber plans to focus its work on continuing to support public K12 education, expanded owner-occupied housing, and most importantly, improved public safety in our community.  The essential duty of our government is to keep its citizens safe. To do that we need to have an appreciated, well-paid police force at full capacity to address the problem behaviors our members deal with daily. There is a need for immediate remedies that can address the problem.  We cannot tolerate people feeling threatened walking down the street on a way to a downtown eatery. These behaviors must be addressed and not accepted as the permanent backdrop of our community.  

The Chamber has been in full support of the work of the county’s justice response committee.  We need real reform that entails a bigger emphasis on mental illness/addiction programs that address our recidivism rate.  The current jail housed at Charlotte Zietlow Justice Center is completely inadequate in all respects.  However, we are years away from seeing this type of transformative change in our justice system.  In the meantime, short-term solutions must be sought. 

On January 9th, 2023, the Indiana General Assembly will convene its members for a "long" legislative session that will determine the state's annual budget for next two years. Despite this official start date, senators and representatives have already begun to file bills in anticipation of what is expected to be a very busy session. Below is a list of deadlines that lawmakers must follow in the coming months:

• January 12th: Last day for House bills to be filed  
• January 13th: Last day for Senate bills to be filed 
• February 27th: Last day for third readings of House bills 
• February 28th: Last day for third readings of Senate bills  
• April 17th: Last day for third readings of Senate bills in House
• April 18th: Last day for third readings of House bills in Senate
• April 29th: Last day of adjournment for both chambers 

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For more information on 2023 Legislative Session, visit the Indiana General Assembly website by clicking HERE. 

It is a budget year for the Indiana General Assembly (IGA). This entails that the legislation during this session will focus more greatly on financial issues as opposed to social issues. Bills proposed during this long session will determine the state's budget for the next two years. Looking ahead of the official January 9th start date, there is much anticipation surrounding legislators' plans to remedy the issue of inflation and how they intend to help Hoosier families.  Another topic of much discussion is education. Larger investments for K-12 and higher education are expected with increased funding in categories influenced by the business community, i.e., workforce development and job training. A number of recommendations from commissions have been given to the governor and legislative committee members on topics regarding public health and affordable housing. How these suggestions will be implemented are of great interest to the Chamber's business members. 

To follow all the action and deadlines, follow this LINK to the IGA's website.