2013 Legislative Breakfast Series
Time: 7:30 - 9:a.m.
The Mansion at Oak Hill ~ 5801 E. 116th Street ~ Carmel, IN 46032 
Dates:    January 11
              February  8
              March 8
              April 12         

Register by calling 317.804.3030 or emailing info@westfield-chamber.org

Hamilton County Business Issues Committee
The Hamilton County Business Issues Committee includes representatives from the six Hamilton County Chambers and advocates on issues of importance to local businesses and the community. The committee develops an annual legislative agenda that defines positions and recommends actions on issues that impact businesses in Hamilton County.

Legislative Breakfasts are held in January, February and March to provide information on current legislative issues and to offer an opportunity to meet local legislators. A Fall Forum is held in late November or early December. 

  
2013 Indiana Legislature - Hamilton County representatives 

Senate
Jim Buck – Senator.Buck@iga.in.gov
Mike Delph – Senator.Delph@iga.in.gov
Luke Kenley – Senator.Kenley@iga.in.gov
Jim Merritt – Senator.Merritt@iga.in.gov
Scott Schneider – Senator.Schneider@iga.in.gov  

House of Representatives
Brian Bosma – District 88 – h88@iga.in.gov
Steve Braun – District 24 – h24@iga.in.gov
Todd Huston – District 37 – h37@iga.in.gov
Kathy Richardson – District 29 – h29@iga.in.gov
Jerry Torr – District 31 – h31@iga.in.gov
Eric Turner – District 32 – h32@iga.in.gov 


2013 Hamilton County Business Issues Committee Agenda

Transportation & Transit

• Support a referendum allowing citizens to vote on a mass transit system as proposed by the Central Indiana Transit Taskforce Oppose the reallocation of the state gas tax to agencies the gas tax was not intended to fund.
• Support development of additional funding programs including public-private partnerships and increase in license plate revenue, to enhance infrastructure development and maintenance.

Education

• Support freeing high-achieving schools from state regulations in the same manner that charter schools are freed from such regulations, including evaluation systems, staff development opportunities, school day and year definitions and grading systems.
• Support clarifying the ability of schools to provide factual information in referendum elections.
• Support making career, technical and vocational education a priority in Indiana along with the funding to support this initiative.
• Support the establishment of a Career Center in Central Hamilton County.

Property Tax Reform

• Support continued modernization of our assesesment system toward one that is managed through a common, integrated database to ensure consistency.
• Strongly oppose any further attempts to lessen homeowners’ property tax burdens through additional shifts to business taxpayers and support reducing the tax burden on business machinery and equipment. Support legislation for a more transparent collection of local income taxes or, alternatively, allow local governments to collect those taxes themselves.
• Support giving local government great latitude and home rule, so they can explore efficiencies that improve the delivery of governmental services.
• Support further streamlining of local government.

Economic Development

• Support keeping Indiana on the cutting edge of all economic development incentives and tax benefits that enhance growth by providing flesibility of current incentives. This coudl include a state-sponsored research institute and tax incentives for logistic expenditures.Support federal policies that encourage economic development without a disproportionate impact on Indiana, such as an energy policy that ensures adequate reserves and promotes additional electric power capacity through a variety of standard and alternative sources. State legislators and leaders should be proactive and involved in the development of national policies.
• Support the creation of a regional water authority to create a plan for the preservation of our water future.