(INDIANAPOLIS) — The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is showing the business community’s alignment with legislative leaders and Governor Holcomb on two key outcomes this legislative session that could have a significant positive impact on the future and current workforce.
Jason Bearce, the Indiana Chamber’s vice president of education and workforce development, testified today on Senate bills pivotal in the organization’s economic plan for the state, Indiana Prosperity 2035: reading literacy (Senate Bills 1 and 6) and quality affordable and accessible childcare (Senate Bill 2).
State Senator Jeff Raatz (Richmond) is an author of both SB 1 and SB 6, with State Sens. Brian Buchanan (R-Lebanon) and Linda Rogers (R-Granger) also crafting SB 1.
“Reading and literacy are the foundation of a highly skilled workforce,” Bearce asserts. “That’s why it’s so troubling – especially in today’s talent-driven economy – that nearly one out of every five Hoosier adults lack basic literacy proficiency and thousands of Indiana students struggle to read by the end of third grade. If these challenges persist to adulthood, individuals face numerous barriers just navigating daily life, let alone securing stable, living-wage employment.”
Bearce adds, “There’s such a domino effect when a student falls behind in reading, and we need policies in place to better identify and address reading difficulties sooner with early interventions and targeted supports.”
Regarding SB 2, authored by State Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso), Bearce offers:
“Last year was a great step towards more affordable and accessible childcare. To maintain that momentum, we’re urging further actions this session. Actions to thoughtfully streamline state childcare regulations, expand support for childcare workers and hard-to-serve areas, and provide greater data transparency on the state’s early learning investments. Doing so will help us move the needle faster and help more individuals and employers.”
The Indiana Chamber was a key partner with the state to engage employers and local chambers about the new employer childcare grant program that was established during the 2023 General Assembly with $25 million in seed funding for employers and community partners to expand childcare options. More than 60 grants were awarded in the first round of funding at the end of last year.
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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.”
