(INDIANAPOLIS) — Indiana Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders offers closing commentary on the 2026 Indiana General Assembly, which is set to wrap up activity this evening: “Building on past momentum, this legislative session delivered meaningful policy wins that strengthen Indiana’s competitiveness and create new opportunities for businesses and their workers to prosper. Key successes include further [...]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ayl1ZVl5ipQ Our President and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders discusses efforts in the Indiana General Assembly to make township government more efficient. This has long been a priority of the Indiana Chamber’s and we are appreciative that state legislators seem focused on getting something meaningful done.
(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 [...]
HB 1476 – Reorganization of Municipality and Township Authored by Rep. Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown) Allows a municipality in a county (excluding Marion County) to reorganize with a township that has at least 70% of its population within the municipality, if: (1) the municipality adopts a reorganization plan; and (2) more than 50% of the voters in both the municipality [...]
State auditors are asking a township trustee in Grant County to repay taxpayers $56,628 following an audit that found she used township assistance funds to help herself and relatives, reports Indianapolis TV station WRTV. This is yet another prime example of why the Indiana Chamber has been pushing for years to eliminate township government; it’s outdated, rarely used and [...]
House Bill 1177 – Township Government Issues Authored by Rep. Cindy Ziemke (R-Batesville) Requires a township to prepare a capital improvement plan for the ensuing three years if the balance in certain capital improvement funds in the preceding year exceeds 150% of the township's annual budget estimate. Prohibits the township from collecting property taxes for certain capital improvement funds [...]
House Bill 1650 – Elimination of Township Boards Authored by Rep. Cindy Ziemke (R-Batesville) Provides that on January 1, 2020, in all counties (except Marion County): (1) township boards are dissolved; (2) the duties and responsibilities of the township board are transferred to the township trustee; (3) the township trustee has the legislative and fiscal powers and duties of [...]
House Bill 1177 – Township Government Issues Authored by Rep. Cindy Ziemke (R-Batesville) Requires a township to prepare a capital improvement plan for the ensuing three years if the balance in certain capital improvement funds in the preceding year exceeds 150% of the township’s annual budget estimate. Prohibits the township from collecting property taxes for certain capital improvement funds [...]
A group of self-interested people determined to maintain the status quo and protect a flawed township structure succeeded in bringing down the township reform legislation this week. The House Republican caucus elected to not bring House Bill 1005 before the full House, despite it previously being passed by two separate committees. The measure would have required townships with a [...]
Bill # and Title: HB 1005 – Township Government Consolidation Author: Rep. Cindy Ziemke (R-Batesville) Summary: Requires all townships with a population of less than 1,200 (as determined by the 2010 federal decennial census) to merge with other townships, effective not later than January 1, 2023. Requires merging townships to adopt identical resolutions and a merger plan. Requires the Department of Local Government [...]
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