Pro-Business & Pro-Southern Indiana:
1SI is an advocate for the local business community. Through engagement at all levels of government, 1SI has established its reputation as the primary advocacy resource for our members, our region and key decision makers.
One Southern Indiana supports public policy that facilitates high wage/high skill job creation, entrepreneurship, capital investment and existing business retention and expansion. We also support public policy that contributes to a strong quality of life that attracts and retains jobs and investment.
Throughout the 2012 legislative session, 1SI will encourage positive initiatives and work against legislation that could be harmful to our community and its economy. This agenda may evolve as other bills and issues arise.
Ohio River Bridges Project:
One Southern Indiana supports the entire Ohio River Bridges Project including construction of two bridges and modernization of the revamped I-64, I-65 and I-71 interchange:
- The combined effort of the Bridges Authority, the State of Indiana and the Commonwealth of Kentucky to begin construction in 2012.
- Innovative financing, construction and operational solutions to reduce total project cost.
- No increase in taxes, but tolls and user fees. Federal, Indiana and Kentucky financial resources for the project are constrained and tolls and user fees will be necessary. Tolls will not be placed on either the Sherman Minton (I-64) or Clark Memorial (2nd Street) bridges.
- Variable pricing for frequent users and fair tolls for Indiana and Kentucky residents.
The recent closing of the Sherman Minton Bridge due to structural cracks should be a “wake-up call” that the current bridges do not have an indefinite life span. Indeed, officials say the repairs to the Minton Bridge will increase its use by only 20 years. That should hasten plans and end delays to the entire Ohio River Bridges Project to insure the region is prepared for the future and economic prosperity.
Other Infrastructure Needs:
- River Ridge Development: Support efforts to obtain utility infrastructure funding for on-site improvements (federal & state funds – water, wastewater, roads, fiber)
- Port of Indiana (Jeffersonville): Coordinate with local and State of Indiana port leadership and gain support for its capital needs.
- Clark County Airport: Support the pursuit of federal aviation funds for the planned runway expansion. We also strongly encourage Clark County and/or the City of Jeffersonville to provide the matching funds for federal grants and to adequately fund Airport operations. And we encourage efforts to transition the Airport into a “regional” general aviation airport governed by an Airport Authority -- jointly funded by multiple surrounding counties.
Economic Development:
- Right to Work: One Southern Indiana supports efforts to make Indiana the 23rd state to adopt “Right to Work” legislation. Right to Work legislation gives workers the individual freedom to choose whether or not to be represented by a labor union and pay union dues when a union contract situation is in place; joining the union becomes voluntary by each employee. Many companies and site selection consultants avoid non-Right to Work states believing them to be less business-friendly. Indiana economic development experts believe as many as 40% of new manufacturing projects that could have selected Indiana do not because of the state’s current non-Right to Work status. A significant majority (69%) of the Hoosiers support making Indiana a Right to Work state (2010 Indiana Chamber of Commerce study).
- Economic Development Income Tax: We support local Government funding for job creation and economic development efforts from the locally collected Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT). EDIT funds should be used specifically for economic development.
- TIF Protection: Tax Increment Financing (TIF) has become an important tool for community projects and we support keeping the program intact and readily available.
- 100% Tax Abatement Law Repeal: We support repeal of the 100% tax abatement law because it creates the opportunity to pit neighboring Indiana counties against each other and ultimately be counterproductive to broadening the tax base, not what economic development is about.
- Unemployment Insurance: In 2009, the General Assembly made changes to Indiana's unemployment insurance system that increased employers’ contributions to the totally depleted state Unemployment Trust Fund to take it back to solvency. We believe the idea of reducing unemployment benefits should be considered to help avoid the possibility of returning to a Fund deficit. Reducing benefits could also have the effect of diminishing the growing problem of unemployed workers deciding to continue receiving unemployment benefits when they are otherwise offered employment.
- Dinosaur Building Act (HEA 1005): We support HEA 1005 as it currently stands. To that end, we will continue to monitor any action taken or proposed by the Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA) and/or legislators relative to this Act.
Education:
- Local University Campus Needs: We support and strongly urge the release of funds for the design and construction of the IU School of Education and Purdue Technology Building proposed for the IU Southeast campus. It will provide critical classrooms, labs, and technology needed to prepare our future educators, engineers and other in-demand professionals. 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.
- K-12 Education Authority: K-12 school districts need the tools and authority to adjust their budgets during these times of limited resources. We support giving administrators more flexibility and input on decisions regarding promotion, retention and reduction of certified staff. School Boards should be given statutory authority to hire, evaluate and terminate three employees: the Superintendent, the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer, and the General Counsel/Legal Advisor for the school district. All other personnel decisions should be the responsibility of the Superintendent, in compliance with Board policies for personnel management.
- School District Consolidation: We support cost-saving measures and statements made by our State Superintendent of Schools to save tax dollars by sharing services in education with other districts and local units of government and by merging the administrative functions of multiple school districts. Incentives, encouragement and legislation should be enacted to require consolidation of school corporations into county-wide school systems.
Healthcare:
- Market-Based Solutions: We will continue to support market-based solutions to health care issues, making private and public health care more affordable and accessible without placing undue burdens on employers. We oppose new health care mandates and support the cost-effective and secure integration of technology, including electronic medical records, throughout the health care industry.
Other:
- Local Government Reform: We support efforts to streamline and simplify local government operations. Most Hoosiers have three forms of government: county, municipal and townships with separate administrative costs and confusion about who offers what service. Furthermore, local government employees should be prohibited from serving as elected officials within the same unit of local government.
- Statewide Smoking Ban: We support a statewide smoking ban in recognition of the message it sends that Indiana values the health of its citizens and recognizes the connection between going “smoke free” and attracting innovative companies that boost our region’s economy.