Education and the economy go hand-in-hand This week a bill I authored that falls directly into our goals of the Strengthen Indiana Plan has passed its third and final reading on the House floor by a unanimous vote in a bipartisan effort. House Bill 1006 will would set up a one-stop-shop website within the Secretary of State's Office for Hoosiers to establish a business. Business owners and entrepreneurs would have the opportunity to register with state agencies and obtain all the necessary permits and licenses required for the business. The bill would encourage entrepreneurship and small business growth to promote Hoosier job creation. HB1006 would also require the Indiana Department of Education, in conjunction with the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, to develop curriculum guides for high school entrepreneurship classes based on successful entrepreneurship practices. Furthermore, the bill would require the CHE to examine entrepreneurship programs in state universities. In the past, the manufacturing sector has been a large source of jobs in Indiana. As the state continues forward, however, Hoosier graduates will continue to have fewer job opportunities unless we make a highly educated workforce an integral part in bringing high paying jobs to the state. Other states like South Carolina already have a one-stop-shop in place. The South Carolina Business One Stop website has been used to create over 30,000 businesses and has saved users over $18.5 million. Furthermore, it cut the wait time for permits, licenses and other registrations in half, and 97% of users said that they would gladly use the website again. Small business start-ups account for 74% of all new jobs and we want to encourage start-up companies by making the process simpler and easier for business owners. Right now they have to register with multiple state agencies and fill out numerous forms. It can be overwhelming and confusing to start a business. Also, if we can create an entrepreneurial spirit in students we can help provide the necessary skills to build businesses and bolster the economy. Two other bills of note that passed through the House this week are HB 1267 and HB 1402. HB 1267 would require drug testing for unemployment recipients as a part of the hiring process. If a recipient of unemployment benefits drug test is found positive, the legislation would require the prospective employer to notify the Indiana Department of Workforce Development to stop the recipient from receiving further benefits. Disqualification would also be implemented if the recipient refuses to submit a drug test when asked. Amendments were made to HB 1267 to address the issue of false-positive test results and positive results due to valid medical reasons. The amendment would also provide recipients 72 hours to complete the drug test-which was added in case of family emergencies or inclement Indiana weather. In addition, if a recipient's benefits have been disqualified due to a positive drug test, they may resume receiving benefits with the submission of a negative drug test to the DWD. HB 1402 would make law the current practice of prohibiting individuals who are illegally in the United States from receiving in-state tuition rates at Indiana public colleges and universities. Currently, students of Indiana's public colleges and universities must prove they have lived in Indiana for at least 12 consecutive months in order to receive discounted resident tuition. Students do not need to prove American citizenship as long as they have legal permission to remain permanently in the United States, which excludes illegal immigrants who may meet the criteria for resident tuition rates. House Bills 1267 and 1402 will both help protect Indiana taxpayers. We've made great progress on legislation to promote jobs and boost the economy so that Indiana can continue to lead the way out of this recession. I welcome your thoughts and comments, please feel free to contact my office. -30-
State Rep. Suzanne Crouch (R-Evansville)
|
