Virgil once said, “The greatest wealth is health.” To paraphrase this philosophy, we believe a prosperous region starts with healthy citizens, and healthy regions make a thriving state.  The Indy Chamber’s 2020 Legislative Agenda – “Healthy State. Healthy Economy.” – focuses on improved health, a productive workforce and the power of regionalism as prescriptions for economic growth.

Healthy State. Healthy Economy.

Public health is shaped by personal habits; Indiana’s high smoking rate is a competitive hurdle, given the human toll of chronic illness and the economic consequences of lost productivity and elevated healthcare costs.  Because 90% of smokers start as teenagers, we continue to support raising the legal age to buy tobacco from 18 to 21, while taxing vaping products that act as a gateway to smoking.

If we’re successful, tomorrow’s economy will be built by a healthier generation of young Hoosiers.  Raising state taxes on cigarettes is also critical to discourage smoking today, and start funding needed investments in health programs.

Health challenges keep too many Hoosiers from fully participating in our economy – but it’s hardly the only barrier.  Without job-ready skills, employment options and earning potential are limited…and if our workforce isn’t prepared, our businesses can’t grow, either.

That’s why the Indy Chamber has taken the lead for Indiana with the national Business Leaders United (BLU) Network, focused on bringing employers and policymakers together to shape state and regional workforce programs to meet the needs of local businesses and demands of the changing job market.  This partnership has already produced some practical ideas for this year’s agenda.

We continue to take aim at other barriers to inclusive growth as well – common-sense criminal justice reform and ex-offender re-entry policies, urban redevelopment, and tackling issues like personal mobility and access to healthy food.  An inclusive economy is a stronger economy, with more productive workers and local enterprises supporting a broader tax base and contributing to shared success.

And inclusion doesn’t just apply to individuals and neighborhoods that have been isolated from opportunity.  We need to more collaborative, equitable strategy for regional growth, too: A ‘healthier’ region means rethinking revenue policies and empowering cooperation, so local governments can fairly fund essential services while working together to make transformative investments in our future.

Read on for more details on the Indy Chamber’s ‘Healthy State. Healthy Economy.’ Agenda – policies to support the physical well-being of our people, maximize the potential of our workforce, and create a more resilient region that brings Indiana’s economy to life.

Dennis Murphy
President & CEO, IU Health
Chair – Indy Chamber 2020 Board of Directors

Michael Huber
President & CEO
Indy Chamber