Public Policy Agenda

INTERSTATE 69
We look forward to the Interstate 69 groundbreaking in 2008 and believe that the Governor and General Assembly should continue to make the completion of Interstate 69 a top priority. During the upcoming session, we strongly encourage the General Assembly to seek out new funding sources, such as the continued utilization of public-private partnerships (P3) as mechanisms to fund our transportation infrastructure.

The Chamber will continue to work with the Hoosier Voices for I-69 organization in supporting the six field offices in their efforts to coordinate the construction and design of the individual segments of the direct route. Through the partnership with Hoosier Voices and the Mid-Continent Highway Coalition, we will advocate for increased federal dollars and a dedicated funding mechanism at the state level to cover the costs of highway construction.

The need for a local I-69 connection should receive equal attention from Hoosier leaders. The Chamber and this community fully support the construction of a full loop around Evansville and Henderson with two new crossings over the Ohio River. A full loop connecting these two communities and our region is the only solution to a variety of traffic congestion and pollution issues we face. With the construction of new ethanol plants in Posey County, considerable truck traffic will result and should not be routed through the City of Evansville on SR 66, SR 62, and U.S. 41. Planning and funding for a second crossing near the Vanderburgh-Posey County Line is imperative, as the need for this crossing will be evident in the near future.

As funding becomes limited at the state and federal levels, both the State of Indiana and Kentucky should utilize alternative funding mechanisms to move the bridge projects forward in the next two years.


LOCAL GOVERNMENT MODERNIZATION
The Indiana General Assembly should continue to expand and improve home-rule legislation to empower citizens to structure their individual local government so that it best serves their needs and will also reduce the burden of government regulation on the business community. The Chamber supports the ability for local governments to develop a fiscal policy that best suits the needs of their community to promote economic development, provide for its citizens and offer premier quality of life initiatives.

With the passage of HEA 1362 in 2004, a detailed reorganization process was developed to allow local units of government to unify into a single entity. The Chamber has consistently supported efforts to unify the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County units of government and urges utilization of the re-organization process that would result in a referendum vote by the public.
The Chamber looks forward to the final recommendations of the Commission on Local Government Reform to further restructure local government to increase efficiency and reduce the financial burden on Indiana taxpayers. As a prime focus of their work is the review of township government and the potential elimination or consolidation of services provided. After extensive review, the Chamber will work to implement components of the comprehensive proposal.


TAX STRUCTURE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Indiana’s leaders took significant steps to improving Indiana’s tax structure for individuals and businesses in 2004. We must remember that tax reform should be a constant process to keep us competitive, not a once each decade proposition to catch-up.

In June 2004, Evansville received the Certified Technology Park status, as a result of the tax restructuring legislation. The designation supports the Chamber’s effort to create and maintain a viable business climate in the region. The designation received in downtown Evansville continues to help encourage the development of high-technology businesses and jobs throughout the area. The Chamber will continue to support this process and utilize resources to encourage business growth.

The Chamber recognizes the difficulty of achieving tax relief and genuine reform. Nevertheless, any tax changes that impose a heavy burden upon Indiana business will serve to destabilize an already uncertain market. As the state’s leaders consider additional changes to the tax system, every consideration must be given to how each part plays an integral role in our ability to attract and retain businesses.

We must actively support efforts to expand our business base to support additional high-tech, high-wage jobs, while not ignoring or abandoning the manufacturing industry that has built our strong foundation to grow from.
Specifically, the Chamber will advocate for the following items:

• Increasing Indiana’s tax base should be a goal for all elected and appointed officials. Programs for development and training in addition to environmental and paperwork regulations must be constantly evaluated to better meet the needs of an evolving and diversified economy.
• The Chamber will work in collaboration with municipal leaders and the business community to develop a plan to reduce property taxes and provide local government entities with the resources necessary to respond to growth.
• The Chamber supports both the continuation of property tax phase-in and tax increment financing (TIF) as an economic development incentive and financing tool.
• We oppose an increase in any Riverboat Gaming taxes, since our gaming industry is already taxed at a higher rate than surrounding states.
• Reinstate Investment Deduction, which provides Indiana business taxpayers with a three-year deduction from the assessed valuation of new investments in real and personal property. The intent of the deduction is to spur investment in Indiana, increase the tax base, create and retain jobs.

We stand ready to support efforts to educate businesses and individuals about the impact that any potential changes to the tax structure represent. The continued stagnation of Indiana’s fiscal status makes continued review of tax policy and action to improve a necessity.


REGIONALIZATION
With the ever-changing economy and competitive marketplace, the Chamber is an advocate in consolidating economic development and governmental resources for the advancement of the Southwestern Indiana region. Recognizing strength in combined resources, it is evident that the Chamber can play a lead role in the development of this initiative. With the formation of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana, the Chamber will advocate for continued adequate state/local funding to ensure the viability of the organization. The Coalition will serve Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh and Warrick Counties and the Chamber will work closely with the organization to attract and retain business and industry in Southwest Indiana.


INFRASTRUCTURE
The quality of Indiana’s infrastructure is a key to our ability to attract and retain quality companies. We support efforts to provide creative funding for local governments, in addition to allowing partnerships between units of government and public and private entities.


TECHNOLOGY
We support efforts to make Indiana the leader in technology in the Midwest. To accomplish this goal, Indiana must continue to invest in technology to provide connectivity to Hoosiers living in all parts of the state, focus on developing and attracting a skilled workforce, and encouraging entrepreneurship through the development of our private equity markets. Additionally, Indiana should provide a level tax and regulatory playing field for technology businesses in a manner consistent with an economic development plan that provides communities with an aggressive set of state and local incentives to attract and retain high-income technology jobs. Where there is market competition, then the market should not be regulated by State government. Hoosiers should expect and demand nothing less than state-of-the-art technology at the lowest cost available.


UTILITY ISSUES
The demand for energy continues and we support the Hoosier Homegrown Energy Strategic Plan, which strives to grow Indiana jobs and incomes by producing more of the energy we need from our own natural resources, while encouraging conservation and energy efficiency. Currently, there is an abundant supply of coal in Southwestern Indiana and we are encouraged with the development of energy policies that encourage new technologies being incorporated into Indiana-based cleaner coal-fired plants. This will allow us to expand our Indiana energy options to meet the growing demands for energy while allowing fuel sources such as coal, coal waste and natural gas to continue to be used in a way that is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. We oppose new regulations that discourage the development of new energy sources and oppose legislation that requires certain thresholds for renewable energy.

On a local level, the Chamber supports the ongoing improvements to the combined sewer upgrades in the City of Evansville. In addition, the Chamber will work to identify the financial resources to upgrade the water and sewer needs in Mt. Vernon.


EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
The Chamber recognizes extensive research showing the linkage between quality early childhood development and a community’s economic development competitiveness. While 95% of public investment in education occurs after age 5, we must realize that 85% of a child’s brain growth is already complete at that age. Investing in children’s early care makes economic sense and at the same time school success greatly impacts the business community. Evidence has shown that children who are successful in their early years will be better able to achieve higher education and job training as an adult. The Chamber will continue to work with the local Early Childhood Development Coalition to urge the Legislature to invest in early childhood development programs, as there is a direct correlation to smart economic development.

K-12 EDUCATION
The Chamber applauds the efforts of the Governor, Superintendent of Education and the Indiana Education Roundtable to increase the standards for our children, our teachers and our schools. We encourage the Legislature to support these efforts through other initiatives allowing greater freedom and flexibility for local communities and teachers to structure an education that will fit the needs of students and employers to create a workforce we can all be proud of. Furthermore, the Chamber continues to support comprehensive full-day kindergarten in the State of Indiana and will strive to equalize the school funding formula statewide during the next budget session.

CHARTER SCHOOLS
We support the continued growth of the Charter School system and encourage Indiana’s leaders to seek other cost-effective options that allow our youth to be developed to their fullest extent. The funding for traditional and alternative schooling methods must be maintained. These expenditures are an investment in our future workforce and economy that cannot be diminished.

HIGHER EDUCATION
Regional employers have an increasing need for college-educated employees. The University of Southern Indiana, University of Evansville and the Ivy Tech Community College in Evansville all play an important role in educating students for the regional workforce.

Today, nearly 10,000 students are enrolled at USI with more than 5,000 students at ITCC in Evansville. A significant number of graduates from these institutions remain in the region providing a well-educated workforce for area employers.

The University of Southern Indiana has established a strong record of partnership with the region and the state to improve access to higher education and to develop needed academic programs and services. The recently completed 2007 President’s Task Force on Workforce and Economic Development provides the foundation for the development of academic and training programs and services that will meet the future workforce and economic development needs of the region. In addition, the University will continue to expand:

• Its leadership role, working in partnership with K-12, in promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) related education; and
• Existing economic and workforce development services and to develop new and innovative economic development outreach activities through the Center for Applied Research, partnerships with Innovation Pointe/GAGE, WIRED, and renewed focus on entrepreneurship development.

The Chamber appreciates the financial support provided by the 2007 General Assembly to both USI and ITCC in Evansville and funding for the new College of Business and Engineering Center at USI. We urge continued funding and support for the of University of Southern Indiana and Ivy Tech Community College in Evansville to maintain progressive opportunities throughout the region for workforce development and to attract and retain employers who require high-skilled workers.

In addition, the Chamber is deeply appreciative of the support of the General Assembly to tuition assistance programs that allow students who wish to attend independent colleges, such as the University of Evansville, to do so. The grant itself is in excess of $10,000 per student, and makes their education at a private institution obtainable.

The University of Evansville’s 150-year history of providing quality education to quality students has had a major impact on the competitive nature of the workforce in the greater Evansville area. With the University’s emphasis on global education, that tradition of excellence is even more important. The University of Evansville would point to the establishment of the Institute for Global Enterprise in Indiana as a major tool to help the competitiveness of southern Indiana in the global marketplace. The Institute has provided expertise, workshops, and involvement in trade missions to help carry out its role. The Institute plans on accelerating that outreach to the community in the future. The University’s unique role of bringing students from 44 states and 19 countries means that we are in fact a net importer of brainpower to the region. This in and of itself is a great resource.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Workforce Development continues to be important to the future success of our community and Indiana. We must ensure that programs are in place to train the workers of today and tomorrow in order to attract and retain high-skill, high-wage jobs.

The Chamber supports the efforts of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Indiana Economic Development Corporation and other state offices in increasing the linkage between the publicly funded workforce development programs and economic development through such programs as the Strategic Skills Initiative grants awarded in 2006 ($1,215,000 to the nine county Economic Growth Region 11). Likewise, we support implementing the U.S. Department of Labor’s WIRED (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) grant to SW Indiana region to assist in developing and implementing a concrete plan to bring together business, education, government, not for profit and other collaborators in a regional approach to workforce development/economic development based upon specific initiatives (such as increasing skills in advanced manufacturing and industrial maintenance).

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
Vocational education programs should be offered and emphasized to all students entering secondary education, so that at an even earlier age they may begin learning the skills employers need. All training and vocational programs should be focused on high-skill, high-wage, high-demand jobs. They should not necessarily be tied to credential-based programs, but should be flexible to meet the needs of large and small employers while furthering the efforts to diversify our economy.

On a regional level, the Chamber encourages maximum utilization of the Southwest Indiana Career and Technical Center by working with the surrounding school corporations to gain greater participation from the surrounding school corporations.


ELECTION REFORM
The Chamber will actively support ongoing dialogues discussing the value of non-partisan redistricting for elected local and state government offices. Increased criticism on the lack of competitive races has fueled other states to place redistricting under the authority of an independent entity. Realizing the importance of this issue, the Chamber will advocate for non-partisan redistricting as a viable option to encourage substantial election reform.

In order to continue to attract quality legislative candidates, we believe that an increased per diem should be granted for those living more than 100 miles from the Statehouse.


TRANSPORTATION

INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION
Southwestern Indiana is blessed with a good Intermodal Infrastructure. The combination of navigable river access, multiple rail lines and access to a growing Interstate Highway system provides our community with numerous benefits. These include cheaper basic commodities such as aggregates, petroleum products, coal, lumber, aluminum, and other basic raw materials. The same system also allows the export of Agricultural products, coal, finished goods and other raw materials not only to surrounding states but the whole world. This network also forms the basis for future mass transit opportunities.

The Chamber supports every effort to improve this transportation system. Key to this network is the area's private and public ports, rail lines, rail yards and distribution terminals. By streamlining the permitting processes, reducing onerous regulations, encouraging well thought-out planning and zoning rules, actively promoting highway, river, and rail improvements and connectivity and providing appropriate financial incentives we make it easier to improve this valuable network. This will create new opportunities for area businesses and workers while providing residents with lower prices on many products.

The Chamber actively encourages development of a new rail-truck terminal facility to serve the region. The terminal should be located to allow access to at least one Class I railroad, while also providing easy highway access. The Chamber supports private-public efforts to develop this facility. This project should receive high priority in order to take advantage of NAFTA-related freight movements and the importance of retaining manufacturing jobs in this region.

PASSENGER RAIL TRANSPORT
The Chamber advocates the development of local, state, regional and inter-city passenger rail service as an important element of the overall transportation network. Furthermore, the Chamber encourages the development of Amtrak service from Nashville and Louisville through Evansville to Chicago and Indianapolis.

The importance of preserving existing rail corridors and right-of-ways for both transit needs and greenways is recognized by the Chamber. By encouraging the development of a regional rail authority similar to the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, the Chamber expects to lay a solid foundation for future mass transit and recreational opportunities.

The Chamber also supports efforts at local, state and federal levels to study high-speed rail. The access to a high-speed rail network may provide significant economic benefits to existing business while promoting future economic development and entirely new business opportunities.

AIR TRANSPORTATION
The Chamber supports efforts to increase air travel opportunities in our region through the expansion of services and facilities at the Evansville Regional Airport. The key element will be the development of stronger links with other regional airports within the state (ie. South Bend) as well as key major hubs.

The Chamber will work with the Evansville Regional Airport to ensure that air service continues between Evansville and Indianapolis, as it is critically important to business and industry in Southwestern Indiana. Additionally, the Chamber will work with local and state government to provide assistance to discount carriers as an incentive to locate at the Evansville Regional Airport.

LOCAL/STATE ROAD NETWORK
I-69 remains the top legislative priority of the Chamber of Commerce. Realizing the importance of the highway to Southwest Indiana, specifically the City of Evansville and surrounding communities, the Crane NSWC and the rest of the state of Indiana as an economic development tool, the Chamber will use all necessary resources to ensure completion of the project.

With the passage of the Major Moves legislation in 2006, the $3.8 billion lease of the Indiana Toll Road is currently funding the state’s 10-year transportation plan and is gaining interest to meet future transportation needs. The Chamber strongly opposes any attempts to withdraw funds from the Major Moves Trust Fund for non-related transportation needs or projects not identified as priorities by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT).

The Chamber encourages the ongoing improvement of our local and state road network, in addition to an overall state audit of bridge infrastructure, which will provide greater economic benefits and opportunities for the entire state of Indiana.

On a regional basis, the Chamber will specifically advocate for the following road/infrastructure projects:

• Completion of the SR 69 western connector around the City of Mt. Vernon
• New access road to the Southwind Maritime Centre-Port of Indiana
  
• Reduction of congestion and other improvements on the Lloyd Expressway in Evansville
• Restoration of the New Harmony Bridge in New Harmony
• Completion of the proposed Fulton Interchange as the new Gateway to Downtown Evansville
• Completion of the Boonville Alternate Route to alleviate truck traffic through the City of Boonville
• Construction of an Overpass Walkway over S.R. 62 in the Town of Chandler

In partnership with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Evansville Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) the Chamber will support efforts to improve the capacity and efficiency of our roads to allow managed growth of our community in accordance with the Evansville MPO 2035 Transportation Plan.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
A quality public transportation system is necessary to support any community of
diverse socio-economic groups.

The Metropolitan Evansville Transit System (METS) is a quality system;
however, current funding sources limit the services provided to within the City Limits and limit the hours of operation that the services are provided. In order to provide the service our community needs, METS needs to be able to expand beyond these limitations. The Chamber supports legislation that would increase state funding to METS to support these goals. By providing affordable public transportation, the regional economy is strengthened by the participation of a larger and a better-educated workforce.

Furthermore, the Chamber supports continued state and federal support for the “On-Demand” public transit system in Warrick County. In conjunction with Ride Solution, the rural public transit service will be launched on January 1, 2008 and will create a viable means to “get-to-work” for those with limited or no transportation who reside in Warrick County.


ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
The quality of our air, water and land natural resources is of primary interest to everyone within our region. Individuals, local governments and industry all have an opportunity to improve air quality. The Chamber supports a coordinated, regional approach to addressing multiple environmental issues including PM 2.5 and advocates a careful regulatory solution designed to protect public health and the environment while encouraging appropriate economic development.

The U.S. EPA has designated Dubois, Gibson, Pike, Spencer, Vanderburgh and Warrick Counties, as well as portions of Gibson, Pike and Spencer counties, as in "non-attainment" of the annual PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard. The Chamber believes the most effective and efficient means to improve our air quality and regain attainment status for the current PM 2.5 annual standard is a multi-pollutant strategy for existing coal-fired utilities in our region.

The U.S. EPA is currently considering lowering both the annual and 24-hour PM 2.5 standards. The U.S. EPA should defer making additional non-attainment designations under the newly revised standards until such time as a comprehensive Implementation Rule is finalized, a reasonable compliance timetable is set and the effectiveness of the Clean Interstate Rule (CAIR) is determined.

As the longer-term solution to air quality problems and growing energy needs, the Chamber supports public and private energy conservation efforts and development of alternative and renewable sources of energy. Understanding the need to meet future increased demands for electricity, the Chamber advocates the construction of new, coal-fired utilities using intrinsically cleaner technologies, while expressing concern that any new projects should be located, constructed, operated and regulated to minimize any negative impacts to air quality in the region.


HEALTH CARE
Government should not pass health care mandates. Health care mandate legislation drives up the cost of health insurance for families and employers, causes employers to reduce benefits, and increases the number of Americans without health insurance. The market determines the cost of health care; therefore, the consumers should be the only ones to determine which services they are willing to pay for.

The Chamber applauds the Governor’s “INShape Indiana” which seeks to improve worksite wellness by engaging the business community across the state of Indiana. Additionally, the ongoing discussion of implementing a statewide smoking ban should receive significant attention and dialogue as we move forward in efforts to reduce related costs of health insurance.


CRANE NSWC
The Chamber recognizes the importance of the viability and economic impacts resulting from the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) in Southern Indiana. The Chamber will continue to assist the state of Indiana in implementing an integrated plan to maximize the probability that Crane will survive and grow. With the completion of Interstate 69 through Monroe and Green County, Crane will directly feel the positive impact of increased trade and commerce along the corridor.


DOWNTOWN ARENA
The Chamber of Commerce supports construction of a new downtown arena in Evansville that is financially feasible and of sufficient size to handle multi-purpose events. We fully understand the importance of having a vibrant downtown that attracts individuals for housing, employment and entertainment.

Therefore, our Chamber feels that the addition of a multi-purpose facility will enhance the viability of downtown Evansville. We also believe that an amenity, such as an arena, would not be to the exclusion of the basic infrastructure needs of the community.