Issue Position: Jobs and Economic Development

Issue Position

Indiana can build a stronger economy by investing in education and our skilled workforce, developing a business-friendly climate, attracting good paying jobs and adapting to the global economy.

Hoosiers have a rich history of fostering innovation. As the state transitions from a traditional to a knowledge-based economy, we can leverage the power of our universities, our workers, and our existing infrastructure to become leaders in new industries such as biotechnology and green technology. For that to happen, we must:

* Promote small business development and entrepreneurship
* Find new ways to support and expand Indiana's agricultural industry, including building up Indiana's local foods sector for farmers and consumers
* Reward Indiana companies that do business with other Indiana companies
* Link our colleges and universities to Indiana businesses for technical assistance and research partnerships
* Provide lifelong learning opportunities for all Hoosier workers to ensure that they have the skills to compete in a global economy
* End corporate welfare for businesses that do not pay workers a living wage or do not meet their commitments to the state or community
* Provide small businesses access to the state government employee health insurance program to help lower health care costs
* Promote jobs in green industries
* Award state contracts and incentives to businesses that pay their workers a family wage and offer health insurance

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