(INDIANAPOLIS) — Indiana Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kevin Brinegar and Vice President of Taxation and Public Finance David Ober comment on the Indiana Senate Republicans’ 2023 legislative agenda, which was announced this afternoon.

“There are many points of commonality between the Indiana Chamber’s and Senate Republicans’ efforts this session,” Brinegar says. “We’re eager to get started as some of these measures could have very meaningful financial impacts on businesses of all sizes and really boost the well-being of Hoosier workers and all citizens.”

A point of emphasis is Senate Bill 2, authored by Sen. Scott Baldwin (R-Noblesville), which focuses on reducing federal tax burdens on businesses through state legislative action. Namely, the state and local tax (SALT) deduction would provide tax relief to most Hoosier businesses (pass-through entities) in Indiana and potentially result in an estimated $50 million in federal tax savings.

“We’re excited to support this proposal as it will allow Hoosier business owners to reinvest in their businesses and continue to drive economic growth in our state,” Ober shares. “Additionally, this tax relief will not cost the state anything, making it a win-win for both business owners and the state of Indiana.”

Furthermore, data privacy laws will also be considered this session, with Senate Bill 5 taking aim to protect consumers by cultivating a “bill of rights” on data usage. The Indiana Chamber plans to work with legislators to ensure this strikes a balance between consumer privacy and commercial practices for businesses.

The Indiana Chamber’s previously announced top legislative priorities for 2023 include:

  • Support the creation of a state workforce retention/talent matching fund
  • Support establishing an infrastructure matching fund
  • Support a notably increased appropriation for the Indiana Destination Development Corporation
  • Support measures to promote entrepreneurship in Indiana
  • Support efforts to enhance early childcare access and quality
  • Support targeted financial incentives that promote graduate retention and employer investment in work-based learning, employee training that results in industry-recognized credentials and overcome systemic workforce participation barriers (i.e., childcare, housing and transportation)
  • Support strengthening college and career readiness expectations/opportunities for Indiana students
  • Support development of a statewide energy plan
  • Support expanding the scope of practice for low-level providers that would increase access to care
  • Oppose shifting local government tax burdens disproportionately from residential property to other property classes
  • Support measures to increase affordable housing in the state
  • Support a state and local tax deduction cap workaround to put Indiana on par with surrounding states
  • Support consumer data protection

###

The Indiana Chamber partners with 25,000 members and investors – representing over four million Hoosiers – to achieve the mission of “cultivating a world-class environment which provides economic opportunity and prosperity.”