On List: Talent Attraction/Retention, Health Care Access, State Energy Plan

(INDIANAPOLIS) — The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is pushing for various efforts to help attract and retain talent in its 2023 policy agenda, which was unveiled today at the group’s annual legislative preview. A panel discussion featuring General Assembly caucus leaders from both parties headlined the event.

“We hope this session zeroes in on the opportunities and challenges Indiana faces in an ever competitive national and global economy,” says Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar. “It’s imperative that lawmakers take action to improve our status and our ability to compete so that we provide opportunities for business to grow, for job creation and enhanced quality of life here in Indiana.”

Investments in quality of place and regional economic development initiatives remain paramount, notes Adam H. Berry, Indiana Chamber vice president of economic development and technology.

“Indiana’s long-term economic growth depends on regions independently tackling their barriers to prosperity and investing in projects and programs that will attract and retain workers and citizens to their area. And they have to have the resources to do that.”

Another large part of the equation is the state growing its own talent. Two ways the Indiana Chamber is promoting that are through increased career readiness and addressing the barriers to education attainment.

“We’re calling on lawmakers to make significant, strategic investments aimed at addressing Indiana’s talent shortage and increasing education attainment. At the top of that list is increased funding and regulatory reforms that dramatically increase the accessibility, affordability and quality of early learning and childcare options for working Hoosier families,” offers Jason Bearce, Indiana Chamber vice president of education and workforce.

“Specific action could take the form of tax incentives or matching grants for employers that subsidize childcare access for their employees or provide work-based learning opportunities for students and support training that culminates in employees earning industry-recognized credentials that give Hoosier workers greater currency in the labor market,” he adds. “These would make Indiana more attractive for business expansions and relocations.”

Bearce cites two actions that would help with career prepare to automatically enroll eligible students in the state’s 21st Century Scholars program and create “diploma plus” funding incentives for high school graduates to earn a postsecondary credential concurrently with a diploma.

When it comes to health care, the Indiana Chamber is pushing for the Legislature to look at state laws and regulations commonly called scope of practice laws that define what services health care professionals may or may not provide.

The Indiana Chamber says this is especially critical for Indiana because the state consistently ranks poorly nationally in measures of health care access and quality.

“In some cases, the current scope of practice laws may restrict access to care by contributing to shortages of clinicians, which in turn may exacerbate market conditions and ultimately contribute to higher health care costs,” explains Mike Ripley, Indiana Chamber vice president of health care policy and employment law.

“It’s critical that we address the real needs of patients today and ensure that businesses looking to locate operations in Indiana don’t overlook the Hoosier state because of health care access challenges.”

The organization is also putting a focus on maintaining and enhancing the state’s attractive tax climates for businesses.

Included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) was a $10,000 limit on the federal deduction for state and local taxes (SALT) for tax years 2018 through 2025. The limit, known as the SALT cap, was included to offset other provisions in the TCJA — namely tax cuts. Subsequently, 29 states have implemented a pass-through entity tax to allow for a SALT deduction in excess of the $10,000 cap.

“The IRS has issued guidance that allows for such a workaround. But Indiana has yet to take that step. It’s critical that our tax policies compare favorably with surrounding states, and we’re currently missing an opportunity by not having the pass-through entity tax,” asserts David Ober, Indiana Chamber vice president of taxation and public finance.

Indiana would be one of the last states nationally and in the Midwest to offer this tax relief.

A state energy plan is also a top issue for the Indiana Chamber. The 21st Century Energy Policy Development Task Force – created by the Indiana General Assembly – has met for the last four years on the matter.

Observes Greg Ellis, Indiana Chamber vice president of energy and environmental policy, and federal relations: “Indiana is moving toward more green energy, but we really need a plan to make sure that we’re doing this thoughtfully and with balance as we pursue conversion to renewable energy. And perhaps above all, paying very close attention to prices and to reliability.

“We’re pushing for an energy proposal to be put forth by lawmakers in 2023 that considers the task force’s recommendations with input from the business community and citizens.”

The list of Indiana Chamber top legislative priorities and objectives for the upcoming session are as follows:

  • 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

A detailed rundown of the Indiana Chamber’s 2023 key legislative initiatives is available at www.indianachamber.com/priorities.

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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.”