STRAIGHT FROM THE SENATE

YOUR INDIANA SENATE:
ON THE JOB,
FOCUSED ON JOBS

Senate Republicans have been on the job this entire legislative session, focusing much of our time and effort on preserving and building on Indiana’s pro-job, pro-growth state policies.

While government doesn’t really create jobs – aside from vital services like our national security, public safety and education – government frugality and limited intervention can encourage investment and entrepreneurship. State leaders must remain committed to helping Indiana recover from the national recession faster and better than the competition by keeping our state employer-friendly. Senate Republicans are dedicated to keeping taxes low, cutting red tape and strengthening job-creation opportunities for new and expanding employers.

Passing a balanced budget and avoiding job-killing tax hikes on hardworking Hoosiers are top priorities for Senate lawmakers during the 2011 legislative session. With the national recession reducing state revenues to 2005 levels, our fiscal leaders are insisting on tight spending limits, just as Hoosier families, farmers and employers do every day. They are prioritizing education and essential services like public safety, while protecting Indiana taxpayers.

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Hoosiers have historically been very generous in funding the needs of education, but are today demanding the most education possible for that funding. Reform-minded lawmakers, parents and educators are recommitting in the effort to improve our Hoosier schools by putting students first. Such legislative efforts include ensuring teacher quality, holding schools accountable for the performance of their students and providing more options for families — especially those trapped in chronically failing schools.

Beyond controlling government growth and spending and providing a well-educated workforce, Senate Republicans have quietly offered sound job-related proposals, which have the potential to positively impact the Indiana economy for generations to come:

Attractive, Competitive Taxes: Although Indiana’s overall tax structure is very competitive, senators are concerned our corporate tax rate could be hurting efforts to keep and attract employers and the jobs they provide Hoosiers. Currently, the rate is among the highest in the nation, giving our state higher combined federal and state corporate taxes than Germany or Japan. Senate Bill 589 would reduce the state rate, making Indiana more attractive to new and expanding employers and fostering the creation of private-sector jobs. This bill resulted from a 2010 in-depth bipartisan study and prudently decreases Indiana’s corporate tax rates in ways that keep the proposal revenue neutral to state government.

Ample, Lower-Cost Energy: Economists tell us the availability of low-cost energy is of major concern to employers looking to expand and relocate. Utility forecasters estimate Indiana will need 17 percent more generation capacity by 2020 and 30 percent more by 2025 in order to meet demand of businesses and household customers. Given those facts, senators helped this year to develop Indiana’s first-ever comprehensive statewide energy plan for safe, affordable, dependable power.  Senate Bill 251 encourages environmental updates of generating facilities, creates incentives for producing clean energy and provides more affordable pay-as-you-go recovery of needed investments. Proper planning now will mean more control later over Indiana’s cost-of-living and quality-of-life for generations of Hoosier workers and retirees.

Buy Local: Gov. Mitch Daniels implemented the “Buy Indiana” program in 2005 to help revive the state’s economy with price preferences for state purchases from Hoosier companies. State senators have introduced and passed a measure this year to help revitalize local economies by encouraging area business and job investment. Senate Bill 584 encourages local units of government to reinvest in their communities by purchasing products from area vendors. “Buy Local” helps local employers compete with larger, often out-of-state companies when considering bids for materials and supplies. SB 584 allows local governments to opt for bids from area businesses if within 1 to 5 percent of the low bid, depending on the dollar amount of the contract.

Young Entrepreneurs: Six in 10 new jobs over the past 15 years have been created by small businesses, with many resulting from new business start-ups. What’s more, small enterprises create more than half of the U.S. non-farm private gross domestic product. That is why Senate Republicans believe small businesses will be key in Indiana’s economic recovery. This year, GOP senators advocate adding a “Young Entrepreneurs Program” to initiatives of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. This innovative program would compliment state universities’ business curricula by helping match these potential first-time employers with interested communities and local economic development organizations, so their business plans can be better developed and more Hoosiers can be put to work.

Foreign Markets: Senators unanimously passed a proposal to help ensure Hoosier grain producers are at the forefront of foreign market exports. Without this legislation, Indiana has no certification process to guarantee to world consumers that commercial feed manufacturers are following industry standards. Officials from Purdue University, Indiana Farm Bureau and Indiana Pork Producers advised lawmakers on this proposal, which will help not only Indiana’s rural economies, but logistical hubs like Fort Wayne as well.