Policy Points
|
| RTW now lawRight-to-Work, the issue at the top of our legislative agenda, has been signed into law by Governor Daniels. If you would like to see the bill, go here.
The impact will not be as drastic as the protesters would predict. Realistically, we may not see thousands of new jobs in Elkhart County, but we know some companies were waiting for this to pass before they called our state economic development officials. Realistically, unions will not vanish, but they may lose a little political clout.
In the end, our state has a new, powerful economic development tool that none of our neighboring stats has. Here is a map. Combined with the other attributes we can offer, our area is poised to attract great development, even if it doesn’t happen immediately.
Thanks to our lawmakers Representatives Wes Culver, Bill Friend, Tim Neese, David Wolkins and Tim Wesco and Senators Ryan Mishler, Carlin Yoder, and Joe Zakas for supporting this important bill.
Return to Table of Contents | | |
Annual meeting reportOur Annual Meeting at the Lerner Thursday was packed to the rafters, and then some. Former Senator Evan Bayh offered insightful comments about our country’s deficit spending and world financial troubles. But he had confidence that our nation can lead the way out of the recession, even if it takes time.
The Business of the Year is MapleNet Wireless. The Not-for-Profit of the Year is the Humane Society of Elkhart County. A Century Plus Award was given to the Salvation Army. The first-ever Woman of the Year was awarded to Elizabeth Naquin Borger. Business/Education Partnership Awards were given to Concord Mall, Community Occupational Medicine, Martin’s Super Market, and The Picture Show. The Ambassador of the Year was Michael Wolff. We said thank you to outgoing Chair Brian Smith and welcomed incoming Chair Merritt Dilts.
All that, and we had chocolate cake too.
2011 was a great year for the Chamber and we are excited about 2012.
Return to Table of Contents | | |
Super Bowl - Why it matters to usThis weekend, there is a celebration receiving worldwide attention and travelers. Indianapolis and Indiana are on stage. How will we look? Will we shed the image of “flyover country”? Will Hoosier hospitality shine?
People may not know this, but if they are in Lucas Oil Stadium, they are hearing the festivities thanks to 400 Elkhart-made Crown (Harman) amplifiers. Century Foam is the contractor for foam #1 hands sold at the Super Bowl. So this is a big event, the second largest eating day of the year. It will affect our state and local economy.
Plus, they play a sometimes-entertaining football game in the evening.
Return to Table of Contents | | |
Third House reportAt the January 28 Third House town hall meeting at your Chamber, we had a full house, but not the overflow crowd from the session before. Instead we had 20 protestors and a dog standing on the sidewalk in front of our building, chanting and carrying signs.
Inside, we received legislative updates from State Rep. Tim Neese, State Rep. Tim Wesco and State Sen. Carlin Yoder.
Yes, we talked about right-to-work, but we also talked about the smoking ban, health care, education legislation and other issues.
Thanks to sponsors First State Bank, Indiana Michigan Power, and NIPSCO. The next Third House town hall meeting is February 11, 10:00 – 11:30 am at the Chamber.
Return to Table of Contents | | |
New representationReaders of Policy Points know the district maps changed after the 2011 General Assembly. State lawmakers followed their mandate to draw new legislative districts following the 2010 census. You may be in a different Congressional district, State Senate district or State Representative district. Here is a story.
Be sure to check your new district and familiarize yourself with the candidates and issues before the May 8 Primary Election.
Return to Table of Contents | | |
Election here before you know itYour non-partisan Chamber is working with the non-partisan NAACP to register voters. If you would like a volunteer to come to your plant to register voters during the lunch hour or some other time, contact Kyle to arrange a time that works for you.
Make sure your workers have a say in the way our government is run.
Return to Table of Contents | | |
Upcoming Chamber eventsFor more information or to register, visit our website.
February 7 & 8, OSHA: 10 Hour General Industry Safety & Health Program, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Matterhorn Conference Center, 2041 Cassopolis St., Elkhart. Members: $200, Non-Members: $300 (members of other Elkhart County Chambers receive member price).
February 11, Third House town hall meeting with state lawmakers. 10:00 – 11:30 am at the Chamber. Free.
February 15, OSHA: How to Conduct an Accident Investigation, 7:30 – 9:00 am, Matterhorn Conference Center, 2041 Cassopolis St., Elkhart. Speaker: Mark Styers, Gibson Insruance. Members: $9 per person includes breakfast.
February 21, Biz-Ness After Hours: Spherion Staffing, 5:00 - 7:00 pm, 5230 Beck Dr., Suite 7, Elkhart.
February 23, YP: Committing to Community, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm, Lerner Crystal Ballroom, 410 S. Main St., Elkhart. Members/Non-Members: $15.
February 23, Health Care Forum – Saving Through Wellness, 7:30 – 9:00 am, Matterhorn Conference Center, 2041 Cassopolis St., Elkhart. Members: $10, Non-Members: $15.
February 25, Third House town hall meeting with state lawmakers. 10:00 – 11:30 am at the Chamber. Free.
March 6 & 7, OSHA: 20 Hour General Industry Safety & Health Program, 8:00 am – 3:30 pm, Matterhorn Conference Center, 2041 Cassopolis St., Elkhart. Members: $300, Non-Members: $400 (members of other Elkhart County Chamber receive member price).
March 10, Third House town hall meeting with state lawmakers. 10:00 – 11:30 am at the Chamber. Free
Return to Table of Contents | | |
|
|
To be removed from the Policy Points mailing list, reply to this email and type “remove” in the subject line. Please allow 2 weeks to be removed from the mailing list.
http://www.elkhart.org E-mail: policypoints@elkhart.org Disclaimer |
