By Kevin Brinegar, president and CEO, Indiana Chamber
When the General Assembly convenes for the special session on July 25, we anticipate the green light to issue $225 rebate checks to taxpayers (totaling $1 billion) from the state’s healthy surplus reserves. Yet, we’re hearing it may not be quite a slam dunk and handled as quickly as originally thought. While everyone recognizes Hoosiers are hurting right now due to record-setting inflation, the proposed assistance won’t go very far.
The Chamber believes there are more impactful ways to invest these surplus funds than the rebates. We are encouraged that many lawmakers recognize that spending the bulk of the overall surplus on policies that will have far-reaching long-term impact for Hoosiers is really what needs to happen. The Chamber will be pushing hard for this to occur in the 2023 General Assembly.
Originally stated as the reason for the special session, the rebate discussion now is relegated to the undercard. As indicated by the Governor and legislative leaders, the headliner will be the debate on legislation prohibiting abortion. There will be lengthy hearings and hours and hours of public testimony for this very personal matter.
We’ve had some inquiries and others may be wondering where the Indiana Chamber stands and if we will get involved. The Indiana Chamber does not have a formal position on abortion and will not take one unless proposed legislation infringes on employers’ rights to conduct business and establish benefit programs as they deem appropriate. Such action was attempted in the 2022 regular session regarding COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements, which is why the Chamber strongly opposed that legislation and engaged heavily in the debate.
At this time, we do not expect lawmakers to use the abortion issue to restrict employers ability to establish their workplace policies. To help ensure this, we are strongly advocating against such a move with legislative leaders and seeking commitments now that any proposed legislation does not interfere with employer rights.
As a reminder, the Indiana Chamber only takes positions on business issues and when there is strong consensus among our membership base or representative leadership group. Our state and its residents are sharply divided on abortion and social issues in general. Likewise, our members have very differing viewpoints. With no clear consensus, that leads us to not weigh in on these matters.
We will keep you informed as the special session unfolds via our Legislative Report email.
