The tradition continued in an untraditional year. Our annual Legislative Preview took place November 16, the day before Organization Day for the Indiana General Assembly, but in a virtual format.
A record number of attendees from around the state – over 300 – joined the special event to hear a panel discussion featuring state legislative leaders and what the Indiana Chamber will be advocating for most on behalf of the business community. Given the current climate, the latter is centered on economic recovery from the pandemic.
All four caucus leaders voiced strong support for the Chamber’s top priority: protecting businesses and other organizations from COVID-related lawsuits. The policy is likely to be fast-tracked come January 5, when the session begins.
“The reason for that is because it’s important to try and build back in some confidence to our companies, our charitable organizations and even some government entities, so they can feel like they can get out there and get back to work,” said Senate President Pro Tem Rod Bray (R-Martinsville).
“That’s an important part of what our state does and for our economy. The quicker we can get that done, the better off we will be.”
Added Speaker of the House Todd Huston (R-Fishers): “We’ve heard (the need) loud and clear. … There will be the expectation that no one is asking anybody to put people in a horribly unsafe environment, but we need to be thoughtful and we need to get this done. We need to put in the protections necessary to get people back to work and safely.”
The pandemic also has underscored that poor quality of health has dire personal consequences.
On the business side, Indiana’s bottom tier health metrics and associated costs are known strikes against the state when it comes to company relocation, expansion and economic development, explained Chamber President Kevin Brinegar.
“Our smoking rate is the fourth highest in the nation and our cigarette tax is among the lowest. Those two things are very much related. A higher cigarette tax is the one action that has shown to reduce smoking,” he offered. “The proposed $2 per pack increase on cigarettes, put forth by the Alliance for a Healthier Indiana (the Chamber is a founding member) would be extremely positive for Hoosier health and raise nearly $500 million in additional state revenue.”
Huston lamented, “Smoking is a disproportionate problem in our state, and we have to take actions this session that improve Hoosier health and also address the smoking issue.”
House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) personally supports a cigarette tax hike, but stressed he didn’t want the money to “just go back to the general fund, but really see some concrete programs that we are going to use the money for to improve the health of Hoosiers.”
Huston agreed. “The biggest question is if you do it, how do you utilize those dollars.”
The locations hit hardest by smoking should be thought of first when it comes to dispensing money from the tax, declared Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis).
Huston went on to say that his caucus has yet to talk about the issue for 2021, but the House has passed bills two years in a row that included a cigarette tax increase. Meanwhile, Bray promised the Senate would be “happy to have a conversation (on the policy) if a bill comes over (from the House).”
Prior to the pandemic, one of the General Assembly’s biggest goals was to continue to expand high speed broadband service across the state and, in particular, to rural areas.
“That’s never been shown to be more necessary than when COVID-19 hit,” Bray remarked. Whether it’s students now learning virtually or adults working remotely, capabilities have been stretched and it’s highlighted the “tragic” consequences for those who don’t have the internet service they need.
This issue is also foremost in the Chamber’s mind. Brinegar said, “Having reliable, effective broadband is now as important an infrastructure need as water or electricity.”
You can watch the replay of the entire 2021 Indiana Legislative Preview.
Full details of Chamber priorities and long-term policy objectives are available at www.indianachamber.com/priorities. Leading up to and after the legislative session starts, turn to our online policy center for the latest updates.
