CHAMBER NEWS
 Noteworthy
New Laws
It's the middle of June and summer officially started this week, and you know what happens right after the official start of summer? I'll give you a hint. It's a big day in July.
Did you guess July 1? The date marks the start of Indiana's fiscal year.
On July 1, many of the laws that were passed by the Indiana General Assembly during its 2012 session will go into effect. The one that most people are discussing is Indiana's new smoking law.
If you own or operate a business, there are a few things you should know.
- The law prohibits smoking in most public places, a place of employment and within eight feet of a public entrance to a public place or place of employment.
- The law requires employers to inform their employees of the prohibition, remove ashtrays and post conspicuous signs that read, "State Law Prohibits Smoking Within 8 Feet of the Entrance." The Indiana Chamber has created these signs and you can go to their website to order them.
- There is no requirement on the
font type or size for the signs that
are posted. - Signs should be posted at each public entrance in an obvious location.
- The businesses that are exempt from the smoking ban are: casinos, cigar and hookah bars, fraternal clubs, retail tobacco shops and specialty cigar stores, free standing bars and taverns, cigar manufacturing facilities and businesses located in a private residence in which all employees reside there. If your business does not fall into one of the business types above, you are not exempt.
- The new state law allows communities to impose more restrictive bans and does not supersede an ordinance that is more restrictive than the state ban. To read the law and see answers to frequently asked questions regarding the smoking law,
click here.
Other laws that go into effect on July 1 that have a business tilt to them include:
- SEA 111: Group Personal Excess and
Umbrella Insurance - SEA 1154: Local Purchasing and
Public Works Preferences - SEA 302: Technology Equipment
Property Tax Exemption - SEA 309: Local Purchasing and
Public Works Preferences - HEA 1205: Superintendent Contracts
- HEA 1173: Various IOSHA Matters
- HEA 1107: Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)
- SEA 132: Water Utility Resource Data
- SEA 168: Underground Storage Tank Fees
- HEA 1269: Health Care Compact
- HEA 1003: Public Access Issues
- HEA 1005: Nepotism/Conflict of Interest
- HEA 1072: Tax Administration
- HEA 1190: Real Property Reassessment
- HEA 1199: Inheritance Tax
- SEA 344: State Taxation
- HEA1201: State Provisions and Use of Telecommunications Services
Click here for more details on these laws, and see all bills enacted.
If you would like more information on the public policy work of The Chamber, the Legislative Affairs Council, or if you have an issue you would like for us to keep an eye on or know more about, please contact me at 574.400.4003 or smiller@sjchamber.org.
Sheri Miller Story
Director of Public Policy |
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2012 GENERAL ELECTION
In 2012 we will once again be voting for the people that represent us at all levels of government. A lot of attention is given to the presidential and gubernatorial races, but you also have the opportunity to vote for some of the constitutional offices at the state and county levels. Within the last two weeks, both major political parties held their state conventions to nominate their slate of candidates for Lt. Governor, Attorney General and Superintendent of Public Instruction. These candidates may not get the same level of media coverage as some others, but in the positions they could potentially be elected to, the decisions they make may affect your daily life. Want to find out more about the democrat and republican candidates for Lt. Governor, Attorney General and Superintendent of Public Instruction, click on the appropriate
links below.
Lt. Governor
Attorney General
Superintendent of Public Instruction
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YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
- This week the Mishawaka Common Council approved the anti-nepotism policy, a resolution for R&B Car Company to hold a car sale in the Sears parking lot at the University Park Mall. They also honored the 40th anniversary of their sister city, Shiojiri, Japan, and annexed land at the northwest corner of Capital Ave. and the toll road.
- The full agenda for the South Bend Common Council was not released prior to our distribution of the Public Policy Post, but we do know that next week the South Bend Common Council's hot topic is a proposed smoking ban ordinance. The council meets on Monday, June 25, at 7:00 pm on the 4th floor of the County-City Building.
- Both councils will be soon considering new council district maps that will be used in the 2015 election. City councils are required by law to review the council district maps one year after the census data is released. New council maps must be approved by the end
of this year. - The St. Joseph County Council recently approved zoning for a special project in Wyatt for a proposed wind turbine at the wastewater treatment plant. The Regional Water and Sewer District will decide next week whether or not to move forward with
the project. - South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, in conjunction with The Chamber and the Corporate Partnership for Economic Growth (CPEG) hosted yesterday's Economic Summit.
A summary of the event will be provided in upcoming issues of growSJC and Public
Policy Post.
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IN EDUCATION
More than 30 people have filed to replace Stephanie Spivey on the South Bend Community School Corporation's School Board and this week interviews were conducted with those individuals. The Chamber was present at each of the two public interview sessions. The applicants included former school board members, SBCSC current and former employees, citizen activists and other interested parties and were publically interviewed for approximately eight minutes each.
Multiple members of The Chamber's School Board Endorsement Committee observed all of the interviews and have encouraged the current school board to make sure they do a thorough vetting of the candidates that have applied. To assure that the most qualified candidate is appointed, The Chamber is encouraging the board to conduct further and more extensive interviews with a narrowed list of applicants before making its final decision. |
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Because of ChamberPAC, The Chamber now has the ability to recruit, interview and support candidates for public office that best represent the ideals and values of the business community. But we cannot do that without your support. Please consider contributing to ChamberPAC and help us in our effort to support local candidates running for public office. This year, The Chamber will be considering supporting candidates running for school board, county council and county commissioner in St. Joseph County. To contribute,
click here.
Missed the last copy of the Public Policy Post,
click here. |
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IMPORTANT DATES & UPCOMING EVENTS
SATURDAY, JUNE 30
Noon
DEADLINE: For political parties to caucus to fill vacancies on the General Election ballot for federal, state, judicial or local offices
WEDNESDAY JULY 18 -
THURSDAY JULY 19
Daylong
6th Annual DC Fly-in
SOLD OUT |
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GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
MONDAY, JUNE 25
4:30 pm
Mishawaka Parks &
Recreation Board
MONDAY, JUNE 25
7:00 pm
South Bend Common Council
TUESDAY, JUNE 26
9:30 am
South Bend Board of Public Works
TUESDAY, JUNE 26
10:00 am
Mishawaka Board of
Public Works & Safety
TUESDAY, JUNE 26
10:00 am
St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners
MONDAY, JULY 2
7:00 pm
Mishawaka Common Council
TUESDAY, JULY 3
10:00 am
Mishawaka Board of
Public Works & Safety
TUESDAY, JULY 3
10:00 am
St. Joseph County Board
of Commissioners
TUESDAY, JULY 3
1:00 pm
Mishawaka Traffic Commission
TUESDAY, JULY 3
4:00 pm
Mishawaka Historic Preservation
MONDAY, JULY 9
7:00 pm
South Bend Common Council
TUESDAY, JULY 10
9:30 am
South Bend Board of Public Works
TUESDAY, JULY 10
10:00 am
St. Joseph County Board
of Commissioners
TUESDAY, JULY 10
7:00 pm
St. Joseph County Council
MONDAY, JULY 16
7:00 pm
Mishawaka Common Council
TUESDAY, JULY 17
10:00 am
St. Joseph County Board
of Commissioners
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18
9:15 am
South Bend Board of Public Safety
MONDAY, JULY 23
7:00 pm
South Bend Common Council
TUESDAY, JULY 24
9:30 am
South Bend Board of Public Works
TUESDAY, JULY 24
10:00 am
St. Joseph County Board
of Commissioners
While we make every effort to provide the most up-to-date information, please confirm meeting day and time with respective government body.
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POLITICS - 2012 ELECTIONS
For a listing of contact information for candidates running in the 2012 General Election, click here. |
The Chamber of Commerce of
St. Joseph County
401 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 310
South Bend, Indiana 46617
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