OneZone Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2022 legislative priorities for local lawmakers to address during the legislative session set to take place from Jan. 4 to March 14, 2022, at the Indiana Statehouse.
OneZone’s top priorities help advocate for local businesses by supporting policies such as self-governance for employer health and safety mandates, optimizing the supplier diversity certification process, and increasing the availability and accessibility of mass transit.
Russell
“Hamilton County is a growing community in our state, and our local employers have a strong voice,” said OneZone Chamber CEO Jack Russell. “Our legislative priorities for 2022 are a strong indicator of what is most important to the employers in Carmel and Fishers. We look forward to working with our delegation during the 2022 legislative session and beyond.”
OneZone will be represented by Torchbearer Public Affairs during the 2022 legislative session.
OneZone Chamber of Commerce is also a host for the Legislative Breakfast Series. Local lawmakers will speak during the breakfast, and there is time for a question-and-answer session at the end of each event. Upcoming legislative breakfast dates are Jan. 14, Feb. 11, and March 11 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at The Bridgewater Club, 3535 E. 161st St., Westfield. Registration is required and can be completed at onezonechamber.com.
Employer Mandates for Health and Safety
Priority: OneZone supports state policies that allow employers to self-govern and opposes state mandates regarding the appropriate health and safety requirements for their unique needs.
Rationale: Indiana is known as a state that works. Part of this reputation is to allow business owners to run their own businesses and make the appropriate choices for their companies, without unnecessary government interference. Every business is different, just as every community is different. Employers should have the freedom to govern their own businesses and implement appropriate health and safety protocols for their companies.
Supplier Diversity Certification Process
Priority: OneZone supports policies that optimize the supplier diversity certification process, including simplicity and accessibility.
Rationale: The Supplier Diversity Certifications (Women-Owned Businesses, Minority-Owned Businesses, and Veteran-Owned Businesses) help to recognize and support the types of business owners who have historically faced obstacles in securing contracts with state and local governments. OneZone supports ensuring that the process to get certified as such a business is optimized, streamlined, and simple.
Mass Transit
Priority: OneZone supports legislation that increases the availability and accessibility of transportation options, specifically mass transit, in Central Indiana.
Rationale: For businesses to thrive, their employees need reliable transportation to and from the workplace. As a “doughnut county” outside of Indianapolis, Hamilton County often shares employees from all over Central Indiana and it is important to support efforts to allow for employees to get to their places of business. It is also an important economic development tool to entice new businesses to the area.