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Sunday, January 30, 2005

Ind. Gov't. - A more business-friendly atmosphere in the Statehouse

The front-page of the business section in the Sunday Indianapolis Star features a story by J.K. Wall and Eric Martin headlined "Tide turns in latest legislature With GOP in full control, business is in; unions worry." a quote:

With Republicans controlling both the House of Representatives and the Senate for the first time since 1996, and with Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels pushing an ambitious economic agenda, legislation that is business-friendly and sometimes union-weakening has received a far warmer reception than at anytime in the last decade.

Lobbying groups such as the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Manufacturers Association, which were frequently in a defensive position in recent years, now have the ear of the legislative leadership. Union groups, such as the AFL-CIO, say they are a bit more removed from the inner circle.

Some of the legislation this session reflects that shift. There are bills that ease restrictions on health insurers, extend tax incentives for expanding Hoosier companies, limit legal liability against employers and weaken the position of organized labor.

A side-bar has a list of pro-business bills:
Here's a look at some of the legislation supported by business interests:
• HB 1006: Extends several tax incentives. Exempts purchases of research-and-development equipment from sales tax.
• HB 1034: Requires Indiana to observe daylight-saving time.
• HB 1075: Allows health insurers to indefinitely waive coverage of an individual's pre-existing medical condition.
• HB 1196: Caps liability for pain and suffering damages at $500,000 and at $700,000 in 2008. Does not apply to medical malpractice lawsuits.
• HB 1536: Increases the average weekly wage used to calculate worker's compensation benefits but requires employees to prove that an injury is indirectly related to work.
• SB 1: Grants a tax deduction for investments in property development. Provides a tax refund for purchases of research-and-development equipment.
• SB 78: Eliminates potential triple damages if an employer withholds an employee's wages. Says a court "may" award attorneys' fees when current law says "shall."
• SB 222: Allows health insurers to waive coverage of a pre-existing medical condition for five years instead of two.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on January 30, 2005 02:33 PM
Posted to Indiana Government