One Southern Indiana supports public policy that facilitates high-wage / high-skill job creation, capital investment and business retention and expansion. We also support policy that contributes to a strong quality of life that will attract and retain jobs and investment.
Federal Issues
Card Check – 1SI surveyed our members in early 2009 and the response was overwhelmingly against the Employee Free Choice Act in its then form. If a new form is proposed, we will again survey, but all indications are that it will be strongly opposed.
Cap & Trade – As our region’s power is derived from coal-fired power plants, and as our region’s low electricity costs have been and are currently an incentive for industrial jobs, we oppose this legislation in its current form. We do support the development of clean energy alternatives and the jobs associated with production of “green” technology systems.
Federal/State Issues
River Ridge Development
Infrastructure funding for on-site improvements (Federal and state funds – water, wastewater, roads)
Completion of the I-265 extension and the Ohio River Bridges Project
Designation of the “River Ridge Commerce Corridor” – Port Road and Highway 62 E (from I-265 interchange to Hwy 3). [Rep Stemler’s proposed HB 1225.]
Port of Jeffersonville – Coordinate with and support their objectives.
State Issues
Immigration – We oppose the hiring of illegal workers. However, immigration is essentially a matter that must be legislated at the federal level. The General Assembly should not attempt to address the immigration issue at the state level.
Unemployment Insurance – In 2009 the Legislature made changes to Indiana's unemployment insurance system which were intended to replenish the totally depleted Unemployment Trust Fund by increasing the taxable wage base and the maximum tax rate paid by employers. Although the objective was commendable, the changes constitute a $500 million dollar tax increase on our economy at a time when most businesses are struggling to stay in the black. Consequently, the increases need to be delayed to protect jobs during this recovery period.
Education
We support the funding and construction of the Education and Technology Building proposed for the IU Southeast campus. It will provide critical classrooms, labs, and technology needed to educate our future teachers and engineering technologists. The building project will help to attract and retain top talent and demonstrate a valuable partnership between IU Southeast and the Purdue College of Technology to support two rapidly growing programs that contribute directly to a bright future for the region.
Encourage and support collaboration between Ivy Tech, Purdue, IUS and Louisville higher education institutions.
Transportation/Infrastructure
We support the entire Ohio River Bridges Project (two bridges and the redevelopment of the I-65, I-71 and I-64 interchange in Louisville) and will continue to engage the issue via the Bridges Coalition.
We support the formation of the Bi-State Authority.
We encourage the immediate development of the Old Salem Road Interchange (Gateway to River Ridge) with visible progress by the end of 2010.
Major Moves – Our position is to ensure funds designated for the Ohio River Bridges Project remain committed.
Local Government Issues
Continue to support local government simplification efforts that can decrease the number of elected officials and increase government efficiency.
Support efforts to get tax bills out on time – go from worst to first. Show the negative impacts of Municipalities and school districts always having to borrow funds to get through the year / Celebrate successes.
