Tis the season for interim study committee meetings! The areas of environment and utilities already have been very active. In August, the Interim Study Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources met to discuss beach erosion on Lake Michigan near Portage and Michigan City. The focus of the meeting was matching funding from the state of Indiana so that the [...]
In Chamberworld, "policy development" is the process of identifying issues of public concern and proposing well-researched solutions that can be implemented by policymakers. This usually comes in the form of legislation, administrative rule or executive order. The Indiana Chamber has 14 committees that develop policy on broad ranges of subject matter including higher education, civil justice, energy, infrastructure, health [...]
House Bill 1406 – Water Infrastructure Assistance Fund and Program Authored by Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) This bill annually appropriates $20 million to the Water Infrastructure Assistance Fund from the state general fund and promotes sustainability of water resources and attempts to keep costs as low as possible. Chamber Position: Support The Latest: Heard by the House Utilities, Energy [...]
There is no shortage of expansion and modernization projects taking place at airports across the United States and internationally. Kiplinger offers a rundown: Some of the biggest are in Chicago; Los Angeles; Newark, N.J.; New Orleans; New York; Pittsburgh and Washington. O’Hare is getting an $8.7 billion expansion. American and United airlines will share a new domestic and international [...]
(INDIANAPOLIS) — The Indiana Chamber of Commerce wants the state Legislature to take the next steps in skilling up the workforce and fast track a water plan for the state. These priorities were among those announced today at the business organization’s annual legislative preview in Indianapolis, where General Assembly leaders also took part in a panel discussion looking ahead [...]
By Greg Ellis, vice president of energy and environmental policy The headline: A plan to address drinking water, wastewater and storm water management needs in Indiana should happen sooner rather than later. That’s all possible thanks to HB 1267 which establishes a water infrastructure taskforce to develop the long-awaited, long-term strategy. This was a legislative priority for the Chamber [...]
On Monday, the Trump administration released its long anticipated $1.5 trillion plan for public works and infrastructure. The plan is based on $200 billion in direct federal spending to leverage $1.3 trillion in state, local and private infrastructure investment. With many of our nation’s roads, bridges, airports and other infrastructure in need of upgrading and building out for the [...]
The issue of water management has long been supported by the Chamber as a priority. House Bill 1267 and SB 361 establish a Water Infrastructure Taskforce to study water issues. Both bills have passed out of their respective houses and have been referred to committees in the other house for further action. The measures are very similar, but HB [...]
Bill # and Title: HB 1267 – Water Infrastructure Task Force Author: Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) Summary: Establishes a Water Infrastructure Taskforce consisting of 14 members including: the chair of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), four other ex-officio members, three members of the Senate, three members of the House of Representatives and three members appointed by the Governor. [...]
