INDIANAPOLIS — Today, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce unveiled its Top 10 legislative priorities for the 2025 legislative session. Included on the list are ensuring any property tax reforms don’t shift the burden to businesses and addressing barriers to labor force participation while investing in upskilling the workforce.
These policy goals align with the organization’s latest visioning plan for the state, Indiana Prosperity 2035 (IP35). A survey of Indiana Chamber member companies at the end of 2024 “further helped identify the most critical areas for the Hoosier business community that demand our increased involvement,” says president and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders. In the survey, the IP35 pillar of Economic Growth, Innovation and Entrepreneurship came out on top with Workforce Development and Talent a close second.
“We look forward to working with lawmakers, Governor-elect Braun and other stakeholders to advance bills that fall under IP35 and move the state further ahead and increase its competitiveness. At the same time, we will champion small business and defend against legislation that hinders economic growth and free enterprise,” Sinders offers. “Together, these actions will enable Indiana to rise even higher on the list of best states to do business and be a place where more people want to live and work.”
The complete list of the IP35 pillar areas and the top priorities (in alphabetical order) within each:
Economic Growth, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Ensure property tax reforms make sense for all payers and don’t shift the burden to businesses.
- Establish a state Office of Entrepreneurship to lift and emphasize commitment to small businesses.
- Expand statewide economic development initiatives to continue momentum in all regions.
Sinders: “Providing business personal property tax relief will lower the cost of capital for businesses, supporting existing industries and positioning Indiana as a more competitive destination for investments. These reforms are essential to fostering long-term economic growth and strengthening our state’s economic foundation.”
Workforce Development/Talent and K-12 Education
- Implement additional tools to attract, cultivate, and retain talent in the state.
- Increase workforce skills and labor force participation, including at the onset, by strengthening career and technical education pathways.
- Seek further innovation in K-12 that leads to significant and continued improvements in student performance and workforce preparedness.
Sinders: “As a state, we are rightly focusing on getting skilled workers here and keeping them, but just as important is upskilling and growing our homegrown talent. One big catalyst for upskilling would be encouraging and incentivizing businesses to invest in their workers’ development, thereby creating higher wages for them.”
Separately, Sanders stresses the importance of “pointing students in a good direction by incentivizing in-demand credentials while also continuing to ensure the credential requirements match what’s currently needed for the job.”
Healthy, Prosperous Citizens and Communities/Quality of Place
- Contain healthcare costs for businesses and residents
- Expand access to affordable quality childcare and housing
Sinders: “The Indiana Chamber has long advocated for a significant increase in Indiana’s cigarette tax, and now we believe there is a real chance for action given the landscape. A minimum $2-per-pack increase would improve much-needed public health outcomes and reduce employer healthcare costs, while also boosting state revenues.”
She also highlights the importance of tackling childcare and housing needs. “Expanding childcare capacity and improving affordability is critical to getting more Hoosiers into the workforce and keeping them there. Similarly, addressing housing affordability and availability will help retain and attract talent, building stronger communities and a more robust economy.”
Superior Infrastructure and Energy
- Ensure reliable energy availability and affordability for businesses and residents.
- Secure additional road funding via a more modern mix of sources to enable sustainability and meet projected infrastructure needs.
Sinders said, “Sustainable funding for maintaining and improving Indiana’s roads and bridges goes hand in hand with the state’s future prosperity – it’s simply vital for economic growth and connectivity. By ensuring long-term infrastructure investments, we can support the efficient movement of goods and people, strengthening Indiana’s position as a national leader in logistics and commerce.”
The Indiana Chamber will publish the next phase of its policy efforts in its Legislative Analysis document in late January; that’s when the organization assigns positions to the introduced bills impacting the business community. Learn more at indianachamber.com/policy.
