These positions were developed by the Governmental Affairs Committee and approved at the Board of Directors meeting Wednesday, February 14. Our support is based upon the need for accelerated funding for Interstate 69 as well as continued funding for other highway improvements at the local and stated level. Though the Chamber does not normally support tax increases, it has become clear that without increasing the funding available for road construction, there will not be necessary funding to build I-69 or many of the other transportation improvements that the Chamber supports to provide a strong infrastructure base for economic development. We support efforts to allow the creation of Charter Schools in Indiana. If language allowing Mayors to sponsor Charter Schools remains a part of the legislation, we request that the Mayor of Evansville be included.
Charter schools are public schools that operate outside the education establishment.
Like public schools, they receive per-pupil funding from the government, but they operate free of most state and local regulations governing public schools. To retain that freedom, they must meet tailor-made benchmarks for student achievement and attendance. Participation in such schools by teachers and students is voluntary. Indiana is one of only 14 states not allowing Charter Schools. We believe the State of Indiana should observe Central Standard and Central Daylight Savings Time.