The Mayors and Commissioners Caucus of Northeast Indiana unveiled its legislative agenda for 2019 earlier this week.
The caucus is a collaboration of mayors and commissioners from 11 counties and 18 municipalities in the region, meeting regularly to discuss issues of legislative advocacy, economic development and quality of life in Northeast Indiana.
The 2019 agenda highlights three policy priorities: home rule and local control, transportation and bridge funding, and public health and safety funding. Caucus president Nelson Peters says these priorities are about enhancing the regional quality of life.
“I think the caucus is all about enhancing the quality of life in their communities, and these are also things that we felt if we prevail in, would enhance the quality of life in these respective communities,” Peters said.
Representatives of each constituency meet annually to discuss “issues of commonality” between their communities, before refining the agenda and making it public.
So what role does the caucus -- which formed in 2012 -- serve in actually advocating for constituents and shaping policy? Peters says the body is fortunate to have legislative liaisons serving counties and municipalities.
“Step number one is to get them actively engaged in their Thursday meetings, their Saturday morning meetings, things that occur during the legislative sessions in their home communities with their legislators,” he said.
Step two is to lobby state lawmakers. Peters says this year the caucus has partnered with the lobbying firm Catalyst, which he says will serve as their “boots on the ground” in Indianapolis.
“To ensure that our agenda stays in the forefront of the minds of state legislators, both who represent Northeast Indiana and the state of Indiana,” he added.
He says the caucus is a celebration of Northeast Indiana’s diversity, and gives officials and leaders an opportunity to talk to each other about “best practices.”
“To discuss the current and relevant issues, including things like the opioid epidemic. To work together towards infrastructure and transportation fixes throughout Northeastern Indiana. And finally to really look at legislative agendas that might help enhance the quality of life initiatives in our communities,” he said.
Peters is a commissioner in Allen County, and was also named president of the board Friday.
The agenda is listed in full below.
1. Home Rule and Local Control – The Caucus supports the expansion of home rule and local decision authority in the following areas:
- Tax Increment Financing
- Business Personal Property Tax
- 911 Fees
- Food and Beverage Tax
- Innkeepers Tax
- Community Mental Health Center designation
2. Transportation and Bridge Funding – The Caucus supports the following initiatives to increase transportation and bridge funding.
- Restore the local motor vehicle highway and local road and street distribution to 2016 levels
- Increase thresholds for the Community Crossings program
- Relax application restrictions for Community Crossings program
- Increase the maximum threshold on the Wheel Tax and Surtax
3. Public Health and Safety Funding – The Caucus supports initiatives that contribute to the safety, health and welfare of residents.
Public safety and criminal initiatives include:
- Support the repeal of mandating level 6 felony offenders to stay in local communities if sentenced to jail
- Support increased funding for criminal justice
- Support the increase in biennium budget for Recovery Works
Opioid and substance use initiatives include:
- Support enforcement of CBD oil guidelines
- Support the increase in approved opioid treatment locations in the state
Mental health initiatives include:
- Support allowing counties to designate their own community mental health centers to those that provide services
- Support authorizing legislation and funding for the development of regional mental health facilities
