Click here to view The Chamber's 2008 Legislative Agenda.


GOVERNMENT REFORM
Indiana Senate: Bill #312 Enactment of a Single County Executive
Summary: Abolishes the three-member Board of Commissioners and replaces it with a Single County Executive. This executive would be elected in the year 2010 for a four-year term.

The Chamber Position: The Chamber supports a Single County Executive structure that will define clearly who is responsible for executive functions of the county. Under this structure the County Council will be the body with full legislative powers.

Action: This bill will be heard by the House Committee on Elections and Apportionment on February 20^th at 3:30.   An amendment was added to the original bill that includes a referendum for voters to decide if a single county executive is what they want for their county.  The referendum would take place in 2010 and, if it is passed, the executive would be elected in 2012. Contact committee member Representative Niezgodski at r7@in.gov and let him know you support this legislation.

Indiana Senate: Bill #16 Elimination of Township Assessors
Summary: Abolishes township assessors but allows an elected township assessor to remain in office until the end of the assessor's term for the sole purpose of assisting the county assessor in the transition. Establishes a procedure for removal from office of a county assessor who fails to perform adequately the duties of office. Transfers to the county assessor township employment positions and other resources related to property assessment. Requires the department of local government finance (DLGF) to adopt rules before December 31, 2008, for the establishment of a single state-designed software system to provide a uniform and common property tax management system for all counties. Provides that after June 30, 2009, an employee of the county assessor who performs real property assessing duties must hold a level two or level three assessor-appraiser certification. Provides that a candidate for county assessor who runs in an election after January 1, 2010, must have attained the certification of a level three assessor-appraiser.

The Chamber Position: The Chamber supports the abolishment of the township assessment system in favor of one countywide assessor.

Action: This bill passed out of the Senate on January 29^th and could now being considered by the House.  An amendment was added that allows a township to elect an assessor if the number of parcels of land equal or exceed 15,000.  The start date of all township changes would begin July 1, 2008.  This bill brings the number of assessors statewide down from 1,100 to 136.  We think this is a positive change and will lead to more consistency throughout the state on assessments.  Contact your House Representative to let him/her know you support this bill.
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PROPERTY TAXES
Indiana House of Representatives: Bill #1001 Property Tax Reform
Summary: (Original Bill) Eliminates township assessors and replaces the elected County Assessor with an appointed County Assessor. Appointment made by the County Council. Caps homeowner property taxes at an amount not to exceed 1% of homeowner’s gross assessed valuation. Caps businesses at 3% and rental property at 2%. Increases the sales tax from 6% to 7%. Authorizes the county to increase local income taxes by 1%. Requires referendums on capital projects that cost at least 1% of the taxing unit’s net assessed valuation or $10 million dollars. Transfers local school operating and transportation costs to the state and also transfers the local child welfare costs to the state. Eliminates property tax replacement credits and homestead credits given by the state to homeowners in order to pay for the assumed school and welfare costs.

The Chamber Position: The Chamber supports a reduced reliance on property taxes but believes that government reform should be part of the discussion in order to identify what local dollars can be saved and efficiencies can be gained instead of applying caps to an outdated government structure. This puts undue stress on services to residents. Consideration should be given to reviewing the recommendations by the Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform. The Chamber has already taken the position that it supports a Single County Executive instead of the three-member Board of Commissioners and a Single County Assessor instead of township assessors. There are many areas we support in House Bill 1001 but there are areas that we will continue to monitor as this bill moves through the General Assembly.

Action: Many amendments were made to this bill before being passed out of the House on January 24th. Amendments included: (1) Freezing property taxes for Hoosiers 65 and older who earn less than $35,000 per year and have a home valued at less than $200,000; (2) Reducing the cap for property taxes on agricultural land to 2% from the original 3% proposed; (3) Increasing the renter’s deduction from $2,500 to $5,000; (3) Applying the use of referendums to only school recreational facilities such as stadiums and swimming pools; (4) reducing the additional homestead deduction on higher priced homes; (5) increasing the earned income tax credit for the working poor to 9% from 6%; and (6) Transfers the responsibilities of the County Board of tax and Capital Projects Review to the County Council (all projects of the taxing units in the county would be reviewed by the County Council).

This bill will be voted on by the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee on February 19^th at 9:00 am. We urge you to contact Senator Broden, a committee member, at s10@in.gov,  and let him know that as a business member of the community you support government reform to reduce the reliance on property taxes but that business should not pay anymore or less than other property taxpayers.
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IMMIGRATION
Indiana Senate: Bill #335 Illegal Immigration
Summary: Prohibits employers from “knowingly” hiring illegal aliens. If the employer is found to have violated this law, there are consequences that could ultimately result in the loss of the license to do business in the state.

The Chamber Position: While The Chamber has not yet taken a formal position on immigration issues to date, it can be inferred that we expect employers to follow all laws that sanction against hiring illegal aliens. At the same time, we expect the State of Indiana to enact laws that would not punish innocent employees due to wrongful actions by the employer. Under the proposed law, a business could ultimately lose its license to do business in Indiana if it commits three offenses within a 10-year period. Should a business lose its license in Indiana, this would result in employees losing their jobs for an action they had no control over.

Action:  This bill will be voted on in the House Public Policy Committee on February 18 at 10:00 am.  E-mail Representative Walorski at r21@in.gov to let her know that The Chamber does not support the bill in its current format because it punishes innocent employees of a company instead of punishing only those who break the law.
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EDUCATION
House of Representatives Bill #1049
Summary: Removes a stipulation that a student's eligibility for a higher education financial aid award does not extend more than ten years after the date the student's initial award is granted. Repeals a provision concerning the ten year time limit for financial aid awards made to part-time students.

The Chamber Position: The Chamber supports legislation that eliminates time barriers to receiving financial aid for post high-school learning.

Action: This bill has been returned to the House with amendments. Please contact your House Representative as soon as possible if you agree with removing any time barriers to receiving financial aid.