(INDIANAPOLIS) — The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is urging lawmakers to continue advancing legislation that supports thriving communities and a competitive business climate by addressing two foundational needs: access to reliable childcare and having a modern, efficient local government.
“Strong communities are built through smart, practical policies that support both people and the systems they depend on,” offers Vanessa Green Sinders, Indiana Chamber president and CEO. “Whether it’s ensuring parents can stay in the workforce or that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently at the local level, these issues are essential to Indiana’s long-term economic prosperity.”
Access to affordable, reliable childcare remains one of the most significant barriers to workforce participation across the state.
House Bill 1152 would prevent homeowners associations from prohibiting legally licensed in-home childcare operations, helping expand care in neighborhoods where demand is high. House Bill 1177 would modernize and expand Indiana’s employer childcare tax credit, encouraging greater private-sector investment, while language in Senate Bill 4 would provide a temporary but meaningful boost by enabling some state funding to be moved to the Child Care and Development Fund voucher program.
“Childcare is not just a family issue – it’s a workforce issue,” Sinders stresses. “When parents can’t find or afford care, businesses struggle to hire and retain employees. These bills are important pieces of a larger puzzle that must be assembled to help Hoosiers stay in the workforce and allow employers to fill open jobs.”
Meanwhile, local government reform has long been an Indiana Chamber priority because local decisions directly affect property taxes, infrastructure investment and service delivery. In turn, these are factors that influence employer costs and confidence to invest in Indiana communities.
House Bill 1315 establishes a framework to reorganize certain townships beginning in 2028 by transferring township powers, services and assets to a municipality or county through a structured planning process. The goal being to improve governance, fiscal oversight and accountability while maintaining existing service boundaries and essential services. Senate Bill 270 requires the Department of Local Government Finance to compile data this year on each township (excluding townships in Marion County) and assign points based upon each township government’s performance, ultimately dictating which townships must merge.
“Modernizing local government is about making sure systems are efficient, predictable and accountable,” Sinders states. “When local government works better, communities are better positioned to grow, invest and meet the needs of residents and employers alike. We are hopeful this will be the year to take a meaningful step with one of these approaches.”
Sinders notes that House Bill 1315 would be especially welcome as it’s about streamlining local government operations, which would have a lasting positive impact.
The noted bills are among those featured in the Indiana Chamber’s Legislative Analysis released on Friday that details key legislation important to employers and the workforce and the Chamber’s stance on each.
NOTE: The Indiana Chamber’s public affairs team is available for interviews on policy matters and pending legislation. Please reach out to Matt Ottinger at mottinger@indianachamber.com or (317) 264-7541 with requests.
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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.”
