Mayors’ and Commissioners’ Caucus and LEDO Council Endorse Legislative Agenda
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Mayors’ and Commissioners’ Caucus and LEDO Council Endorse Legislative Agenda
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Mayors’ and Commissioners’ Caucus, which is convened by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, recently published its 2017 Legislative Agenda.
The Caucus prioritized the following four policies:
- Regional Development Authority Funding – Supports continued appropriations for the Regional Development Authority in the state biennium budget and local taxation in Regional Development Authority counties for the purpose of funding Regional Cities projects.
- Transportation Funding – Encourages the General Assembly to find sustainable road funding solutions and recommends the prioritization of regional transportation projects including U.S. 30, State Road 5, U.S. 33 and State Roads 205 and 8.
- Food and Beverage Tax Option - Supports the ability for each county or municipal unit in Northeast Indiana’s 11 counties to enact a local food and beverage tax up to 2 percent.
- Criminal Housing Funding - Advocates for increased funding for housing Level 6 felony offenders in local jurisdictions and allows for funding to be utilized for criminal justice facilities where alternative sentencing and rehabilitation programs are offered.
“The Mayors’ and Commissioners’ Caucus represents 11 counties in Northeast Indiana and the endorsement of these priorities demonstrates the region is strong and determined to accelerate progress. From infrastructure improvements to quality of life, our 2017 legislative agenda will help expand our economic climate and allow us to compete for new business and attract talent,” said Tom Wall, Huntington County Commissioner and 2016 co-chair the Mayors’ and Commissioners’ Caucus.
The Caucus, which includes elected officials from each of the 11 counties in Northeast Indiana, meets regularly to address economic development issues, legislative advocacy and other matters of common concern within the region. Key focuses include supporting area entrepreneurs, improving the region’s interstate accessibility and streamlining permitting and zoning processes.
In addition to the Caucus publishing its policy priorities, the Caucus and the the Local Economic Development Organization’s (LEDO) Council also endorsed the Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana’s 2017 Legislative Agenda.
“Advancement of our recommended legislative agenda is critical to the success of Northeast Indiana. We must meet the needs of regional employers. By prioritizing regional policies, we can support existing business while also attracting new business and talent to Northeast Indiana,” said Ken McCrory, director of the DeKalb County Economic Development Partnership and Chair of the LEDO Council.
To learn more about the Mayors’ and Commissioners’ Caucus, visit the Regional Partnership’s new website at www.neindiana.com/theCaucus. To learn more about the LEDO Council, visit the website at www.neindiana.com/LEDO.
About the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership
The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership was formed in 2006 to build a globally competitive economy in Northeast Indiana. It is a public-private partnership with the mission to build, market and sell Northeast Indiana to increase business investment. In 2010, the Partnership launched Vision 2020 to bring the region together around five key areas for economic growth: 21st Century Talent, Competitive Business Climate, Entrepreneurship, Infrastructure and Quality of Life. The Partnership supports 11 member counties: Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley counties. For more information, visit www.neindiana.com.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
John Sampson
President and CEO
Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership
260.469.3471
john@NEIndiana.com
