About Matt Ottinger

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So far Matt Ottinger has created 1226 blog entries.

NextLevel Jobs Business Services Can Help Your Company

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development provides services to assist Hoosier businesses in attracting and retaining top talent in our state. Indiana’s no cost, NextLevel business services include (but are not limited to) the following: - Improving local connectivity through direct business engagement by: Accessing untapped labor pools Strategic planning & economic development Layoff Aversion Rapid Response / Business [...]

2023-05-01T12:18:05-04:00February 15th, 2023|

Considering the State Budget

House Bill 1001, aka the state budget bill, was introduced by Rep. Jeffrey Thompson (R-Lizton) and an initial presentation was received by the House Ways and Means Committee in early January. The bill includes a list of all the spending priorities over the next two years and includes some policy. The Chamber supports many of the provisions in HB [...]

2023-02-15T10:57:29-05:00February 15th, 2023|

Legislation Advances on Driving Privileges for Undocumented Adults

Senate Bill 248 / Chamber Supports Last Tuesday marked somewhat of a milestone for one of the Chamber’s legislative priorities. For the first time in three years, the Senate’s Homeland Security and Transportation Committee heard and passed legislation that would grant driving privileges to illegal immigrants living in Indiana. Senate Bill 248, authored by Sen. Blake Doriot (R-Goshen), is [...]

2023-02-14T09:26:56-05:00February 14th, 2023|

Senate Advances Bills Aimed at Childcare Shortage

The Senate Family and Children Services House Education Committee members unanimously approved Senate Bill 375, authored by Sen. Linda Rogers (R-Granger), on a 7-0 vote last week. It’s one of several measures championed by the Indiana Chamber this session aimed at addressing the statewide shortage of high-quality early learning and childcare opportunities that have placed an added strain on [...]

2023-02-13T11:28:32-05:00February 13th, 2023|

Quality Training Key to a Productive Workforce

Beth Meguschar Our latest BizVoice® guest column is from Beth Meguschar of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD). She shares how the DWD’s Workforce Education and Training Division can make sure your team gets high-value instruction: There are many employee training programs out there vying for the attention of employers. The INTraining team, part of the [...]

2023-05-01T11:13:46-04:00February 7th, 2023|

Reasons for Optimism in Advancing Work Share Legislation

SB 347 / Chamber Supports Work share legislation has renewed life this session with a new committee chairman, and the Indiana Chamber is again leading the charge to get this pro-employer, pro-worker bill enacted. First, a refresher: Work share is a voluntary and cost-effective alternative to traditional unemployment benefits. In lieu of laying off a number of employees entirely [...]

2023-02-06T08:44:47-05:00February 6th, 2023|

Indiana’s Largest Safety and Health Conference Returns February 27

(INDIANAPOLIS) — Workplace safety doesn’t happen by accident. It requires planning and teamwork from people at all levels of an organization. The state’s largest safety and health event takes place later this month and can help businesses mitigate risks, improve safety and stay current on key issues. The 2023 Indiana Safety and Health Conference & Expo on February 27-March [...]

2023-02-02T11:22:42-05:00February 2nd, 2023|

Mental Health a Top Priority in Senate; Cigarette Tax Hike in the Offing?

Mental health is a key area of focus at the Statehouse. For many years, Sen. Michael Crider (R-Greenfield) has been a champion of this legislation. In 2023, his Senate Bill 1 codifies the structure of the Indiana Behavioral Health Commission going forward, makes an appropriation to fund certified community behavioral health clinics and requires the Division of Mental Health [...]

2023-02-01T09:22:13-05:00February 1st, 2023|

Bill to Increase Literacy Would Help Unlock Learning

HB 1558 / Chamber Supports Authored by Rep. Jake Teshka (R-South Bend), HB 1558 includes several provisions related to the “science of reading,” which includes establishing a $20 million state grant fund to assist school corporations in placing literacy instructional coaches in elementary schools, obtaining science of reading training for teachers and complying with science of reading curriculum requirements. [...]

2023-01-31T08:23:25-05:00January 31st, 2023|

Data Privacy Bill Clears Initial Hurdle

SB 5 / Chamber supports On Thursday, the Senate Commerce and Technology Committee voted Senate Bill 5, authored by Sen. Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne), unanimously out of committee, 11-0. The consumer data protection bill strikes an excellent balance between the rights of consumers and businesses who use consumer data in their business operations. The Chamber testified in support of [...]

2023-01-30T12:15:04-05:00January 30th, 2023|