It’s not a budget year, but money should always be a priority for Indiana legislators.
From encouraging economic development to ensuring Hoosier workers are paid livable wages, lawmakers can play a pivotal role in moving Indiana forward financially.
RETOOL INDIANA’S ECONOMY
Artificial Intelligence no longer belongs in a science fiction novel. AI is here and it’s changing our world daily.
It’s incumbent upon our legislators to keep Indiana on the cutting edge of AI if the state is to excel in the new hightech world.
Lawmakers should embrace the changes, support institutions that are training tomorrow’s workforce to utilize AI and establish logical and ethical guidelines for the technology.
A 2021 study from Purdue University found that Indiana is lagging behind when it comes to AI advances and manufacturing. The state simply can’t afford to fail on this issue.
BET ON GAMING
From tax revenue to foundations supporting surrounding communities, Indiana has benefited from casinos. But the state is behind the curve on electronic gaming.
Bills have been introduced during recent sessions to legalize video gaming terminals, but have failed
to pass.
Coming out of the pandemic, allowing bars and restaurants to have video gaming machines could generate needed revenue for those businesses.
Reimagining Indiana’s electronic gaming laws would also cut down on corruption.
READI FOR MORE
The Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, or READI, has been a major success in Indiana.
Millions of dollars are being spent on local quality of life, place and opportunity projects.
Lawmakers approved funding for a second round of READI last session. Those funds support the improvements that draw people to Indiana to work and play. It’s not just about a job, but what workers can expect from a community that attracts them to a new destination.
Great parks, entertainment districts and infrastructure support the fabric of a community, and that’s why programs like READI are so important to economic development and the overall financial well-being of a state.
Lawmakers should consider a plan for sustained funding of READI efforts.
INVEST IN TRAINING
Don’t let low unemployment rates fool you — cutting back on workforce training programs is a bad idea.
The funding for some workforce development and training efforts is tied to unemployment. The lower the jobless rate, the lower the amount of funding from the state and federal sources.
The best way to keep workers employed is by having them equipped with skills that make them attractive to employers regardless of the condition of the economy.
Waiting until jobless rates rise to provide more resources is like waiting until the flood arrives to build a levee.
DON’T FORGET ABOUT WORKERS
Indiana has followed the federal lead, keeping minimum wage at $7.25 since 2009. A person making $7.25 hourly in 2024 won’t be able to afford decent housing and will rely on public transportation and subsidies for food and clothing.
Why not go beyond the bare minimum and send a message that Indiana is a pro-worker state? At the least, legislators should welcome a robust, respectful discussion on raising the state’s minimum wage.
Lawmakers should also hold companies that are receiving tax abatements to account on wages. Tax breaks shouldn’t be handed out to businesses that aren’t paying livable wages and offering employees the benefits they need and deserve.
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