 The 2021 Chamber State Legislative Preview will be held virtually from noon-1:30 on Friday, Jan. 15. We’ll hear from state legislators who represent all or parts of Bloomington/Monroe County, who’ll share their insights and answer questions about the 2021 Indiana General Assembly session.
We’ll also unveil the Chamber’s 2021 Local Advocacy Agenda and State/Federal Legislative Agenda, which will shape our advocacy efforts in the coming year. Click here to register. We hope you’ll join us!
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 The Monroe County Board of Health announced new updates to its regulations related to the COVID-19 pandemic, to take effect at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
In addition to the updates, the board announced that Monroe County will follow Gov. Eric Holcomb's Executive Order 20-48, but with added restrictions for each color-coded level. Those levels are based on the average of scores for these two metrics: 1) weekly number of cases per 100,000 residents, and 2) the 7-day positivity rate for all tests. As of the week of Nov. 16, Monroe County is in the Orange level. Click here to read the new Monroe County Board of Health updates.  Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb Gov. Eric Holcomb issued a statewide mandate for wearing face coverings on July 23, to take effect Monday, July 27.
The order is intended to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Monroe County health officials had previously issued a health order to take effect July 31, that included mandatory face coverings and other requirements. The mayor of Bloomington subsequently moved to implement that order earlier in the City of Bloomington, effective July 23. The governor's order would make it a Class B misdemeanor if you fail to wear a face covering under certain conditions. Class B misdemeanors carry possible fines of up to $1,000 and a possible sentence of up to 6 months in jail. Read the governor's executive order 20-37 here. Read more about local requirements here.  Andy Ruff prevailed in a field of 5 candidates for the Democratic Party nomination to the 9th District Congressional seat and will face incumbent Republican Trey Hollingsworth in November.
Here's a rundown of other winners in competitive races on June 2:
Click here for a full list of Monroe County election results in the June 2 primary. Candidates will move on to compete in the general election on Nov. 3.  The Indiana Election Commission approved moving the state's primary election from May 5 to June 2, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that has effectively shut down the state, nation and many parts of the world.
The commission, at its March 25 meeting, also ordered that any registered and qualified Indiana voter can vote using an absentee ballot by mail. Normally, voters must provide a specific reason for absentee voting. These actions were enabled by Gov. Eric Holcomb's declaration of a public health disaster emergency effective March 6, 2020, in response to the pandemic. Read the Election Commission's order here. More information on absentee voting is on the Monroe County Election Central's website.  In a letter sent to the Indiana Election Commission, Chamber CEO Erin Predmore asked commissioners to eliminate restrictions for voting by mail in the May 5 primary election, due to COVID-19 concerns.
"During these unprecedented times, Hoosiers who are registered voters should be able to receive and cast their ballot by mail rather than voting in person," Predmore stated. "This proposed change has received strong bipartisan support. We urge the Indiana Election Commission to take decisive action to help protect the health of our state’s residents while maintaining the basic functions of democracy." This change has received support from the state GOP and Democratic parties. Currently, voters must provide a reason to cast an absentee ballot by mail. Those reasons include being at least 65 years old, being unable to get to the polls because of illness or lack of transportation, or having disabilities, among other reasons. Want to weigh in? Emails can be sent to Indiana Election Commissioners at [email protected]. Click here to apply for an absentee ballot by mail. More information about the May 5 primary is available on the Monroe County Election Central website.  In collaboration with other Bloomington and Monroe County organizations, the Chamber has created a resource site to help businesses navigate the impact of COVID-19. In addition to guidance from the Small Business Administration, Centers for Disease Control and others, the site provides legal resources, economic recovery resources, and links to updates from the Monroe County Health Department, City of Bloomington, and local educational institutions. We've also compiled a listing of updates, information and resources provided by our Chamber members. The resource categories include food, kids activities, housing and utilities, among others. Do you have an update to include? Click here to submit your information and we'll add it to the list.
 Four state legislators reviewed actions of the current Indiana General Assembly Session and answered questions from residents at a Feb. 15 Legislative Update forum. The event was co-hosted by the League of Women Voters of Bloomington-Monroe County and the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce.
Legislators in attendance were Sen. Mark Stoops (District 40), Rep. Peggy Mayfield (District 60), Rep. Matt Pierce (District 61), and Rep. Jeff Ellington (District 62). The panel was moderated by Mary Morgan, the Chamber's Director of Advocacy & Public Policy. The final forum of this legislative session will be held on Saturday, March 21 from 9:30-11 a.m. at Bloomington City Hall, 401 N. Morton. Click here to watch the Feb. 15 forum on CATS. Coverage from the B Square Beacon: "Redistricting question served up to state legislators, talk turns again to local issue."  State legislators representing parts of Bloomington/Monroe County met over lunch on Feb. 11 with Chamber members as part of the Chamber's Statehouse Drive-In.
Representatives Peggy Mayfield (District 60), Matt Pierce (District 61), and Jeff Ellington (District 62) joined the Chamber for an informal lunch in the 3rd floor atrium of the statehouse. Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch also dropped by to greet the gathering. The day included a tour of the historic building and viewing of the Indiana General Assembly in session.  Jan. 25 Legislative Update forum at Bloomington City Hall. Four state legislators shared their insights about the current Indiana General Assembly Session and answered questions from residents at a Jan. 25 Legislative Update forum. The event was organized by the League of Women Voters of Bloomington-Monroe County and the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. Legislators in attendance were Sen. Mark Stoops (District 40), Rep. Peggy Mayfield (District 60), Rep. Matt Pierce (District 61), and Rep. Jeff Ellington (District 62).  Thomas Curry (left), the Chamber's Public Policy Specialist, at the Jan. 25 Legislative Update. Upcoming forums will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15 and Saturday, March 21. Each forum runs from 9:30-11 a.m. at Bloomington City Hall, 401 N. Morton.
Click here to watch the Jan. 25 forum on CATS. Read the Herald-Times coverage here (paywall): "Area lawmakers discuss healthcare, redistricting and more at forum." Read the B Square Beacon coverage here: "State legislator to Bloomington redistricting advocates: 'Show us on a local level.'" |
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DisclaimerThis blog post reflects the position of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, with added insights and commentary from the individual contributor. Opinions expressed are informed by the Chamber’s mission but may include personal perspective. |
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