07/19/12 The annual Legislative Vote Analysis completed by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce ranked Rep. Bill Friend (R-Macy) as having one of the strongest pro-jobs voting records for the 2012 session.

Rep. Friend scored a 97 percent for supporting legislation that will help create Hoosier jobs and strengthen Indiana’s economy.

“The recession has been tough on the wallets of many Hoosier families,” said Rep. Friend. “My colleagues and I will continue to make creating and retaining jobs and boosting the economy our top priorities. The legislation we passed this year will have a positive impact on Hoosier businesses and is already bringing new investments to Indiana.”

The Chamber’s Vote Analysis has been produced for the past 28 years after every legislative session. The legislator’s scores are determined by his or her votes on particular bills and select amendments where the outcome of those bills and amendments would have an impact on Indiana businesses.

“We want employers and citizens to take note of this report because it makes it very clear which legislators were supportive of bettering Indiana’s economic climate and which were not,” stated Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar.

Some major pieces of legislation included in the analysis that the Indiana Chamber highlighted was: House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1001, which prohibits requirements for an individual to become or remain a member of a labor union as a condition of employment; HEA 1005, which prohibits nepotism and conflicts of interest for local government bodies; and Senate Enrolled Act 293, which phases out the inheritance tax over nine years beginning in 2013.

In addition to this year’s pro-economy and pro-jobs legislation, Indiana has been recognized over recent years as one of the best states to do business:

  • Chief Executive magazine ranks Indiana 1st in the Midwest and 5th in the nation for “Best Business Environment”
  • Site Selection magazine ranks Indiana 6th in the nation for its business climate
  • Area Development magazine ranks Indiana 1st in the Midwest and 5th in the nation for “Top States for Doing Business”
  • Indiana ranks 1st in the Midwest and 11th nationally in the Tax Foundation’s 2012 Business Tax Climate Index
  • Akamai ranked Indiana ranks 1st in the Midwest and 9th in the nation for “State of the Internet”

Indiana has been recognized as having the best toolbox in the Midwest and arguably the nation when it comes to creating a climate for job growth. Indiana was also ranked as the number one state in biosciences, in addition to having 58 companies indicate to the IEDC that Indiana’s enactment of Right to Work will be a positive factor in their decision-making process of where to locate their current projects.

“I look forward to helping this progress continue, and to creating a business climate that will encourage job retention and growth in Indiana,” said Rep. Friend.

All scores and a full report can be viewed on the Indiana Chamber’s website at www.indianachamber.com/lva