Indianapolis, Indiana – The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is offering its assessment of progress so far as Indiana reaches the halfway point of its 2025 legislative session. While the Chamber sees promising movement in several key areas, it also highlights missed opportunities that could impact the state’s economic future.
Vanessa Green Sinders, President and CEO of the Indiana Chamber, expressed optimism about the direction of many legislative efforts. “We are encouraged that there is consensus to take additional action to make Indiana an even more attractive climate for employers and the workforce, and for simply a better life for Hoosiers,” she said.
Among the legislative advancements noted by the Chamber are measures aimed at making childcare and housing more accessible and affordable. Efforts to better align workforce training and credentials with employer needs are also gaining traction. Additionally, lawmakers have pushed forward on infrastructure policies to secure road funding and reliable energy access.
The Chamber also highlighted the creation of the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which aims to provide more resources to small businesses and startups. Investments in statewide economic development and potential business tax relief have been welcomed as steps toward attracting new companies and fostering growth within existing Hoosier businesses.
Property Tax Reform in Focus
Tax policy remains a critical area of discussion, particularly when it comes to property tax reforms. Last year, the Indiana Chamber commissioned a comprehensive two-part study to evaluate the state’s tax structure and propose practical solutions. Sinders emphasized the importance of continuing efforts in this area, stating, “We will keep working with lawmakers and the Braun administration in the second half of session to prioritize transparent property tax reforms that balance relief for all taxpayers with the need for strong, sustainable communities.”
Key Issues Still Unresolved
Despite the progress in several areas, the Indiana Chamber pointed out two major issues where lawmakers have fallen short: raising the state’s cigarette tax and addressing energy siting concerns.
The Chamber has long advocated for an increase in Indiana’s cigarette tax, arguing that it could reduce tobacco use, improve public health, and lower healthcare costs. However, efforts to push this legislation forward have once again stalled. “Indiana is an unhealthy state, and one of the big culprits is Hoosiers’ high tobacco usage,” Sinders said. “It’s disappointing that raising the state’s very low cigarette tax is again not getting the buy-in needed, especially when you consider that the tax rate hasn’t changed in 17 years and the state has the 11th highest adult smoking rate in the nation. This is something that we should all be able to agree on.”
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Another area of concern is energy siting—the process of determining where and how clean energy facilities can be built. The Chamber believes that legislative efforts to streamline this process have been either sidelined or significantly weakened, making it more difficult to advance clean energy projects. “Finding a path forward to address local objections that frequently stall development is going to be vital to Indiana maintaining a robust, reliable energy grid,” Sinders warned. She added that the Chamber will continue advocating for a balanced approach that supports the state’s long-term economic and energy needs.
Looking Ahead
With the second half of the legislative session still to come, the Indiana Chamber plans to stay actively engaged in discussions on these key issues. While they are encouraged by progress in many areas, they remain committed to pushing for policies that enhance Indiana’s business climate, workforce readiness, and economic stability.
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For those seeking further insights, the Chamber’s public affairs team remains available for interviews and discussions. As the session moves forward, all eyes will be on lawmakers to see if they can build on early progress and address the unresolved issues that could shape Indiana’s future.
The public affairs staff of the Indiana Chamber is accessible for background information and interviews. For inquiries, please contact Matt Ottinger at [email protected] or (317) 264-7541.
