The Indiana Chamber Legislative Preview took place Monday with caucus leaders sharing a sneak peek of their priorities for the 2025 session and answering questions of interest to the business community.
The panel discussion featured Senate President Pro Tem Rod Bray, Speaker Todd Huston and House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta; it was moderated by Chamber President and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders.
Among the notable remarks:
Speaker Huston called affordable and accessible childcare “a huge issue for every company I talk to and every person, particularly a young family … I think it is incumbent that if you’re a company, you should not be looking to the state of Indiana to solve your childcare needs. If you think you have childcare needs that are preventing you from having the workforce capacity you need, I would suggest you figure out how to do it instead of looking at us to do it for you.”
Bray noted there was “some added motivation” to look at increasing the cigarette tax by $2 per pack – as the Chamber and allies have championed for years – due to the financial challenges around the state’s Medicaid program.
As the trio delved into workforce matters, GiaQuinta emphasized those not seeking a four-year degree: “I want to make sure that they also have the training necessary in high school to get them lined up for a job as they leave high school, whether it’s in the trades or whatever they choose to do, or a two year degree with Ivy Tech.”
You can watch the video (above) and/or read a transcript of six of the top questions asked of the panel.
The Indiana Chamber Legislative Preview event sponsor was IndianaNet, which provides Statehouse news and leading-edge software for organizations monitoring, lobbying and impacting state government.
