Sides Line up For Same-Sex Marriage Fight
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe head of the Indy Chamber believes more Hoosier companies will side with the organization's opposition to a proposed same-sex marriage amendment to the Constitution. President Michael Huber believes the debate would not be a good use of resources when the state should be focusing on education, infrastructure and other quality of life issues. The chamber's position has been opposed by some, including the American Family Association of Indiana, which says the issue should be decided by voters not in the chamber's boardroom. Huber detailed the chamber's stance during an interview this weekend on Inside INdiana Business Television. Huber has heard from business leaders who believe a same-sex marriage debate would send a message that Indiana is not welcoming to people from all over the world.
He understands there are other states with growing economies that have a similar law on the books, but says Indiana is the only one currently discussing such a specific action.
The American Family Association of Indiana points to rankings by Kiplinger Financial Magazine, which show the top five states for business growth over the past couple years have Marriage Protection Acts.
Source: The Indy Chamber, The American Family Association of Indiana
News Release
Originally Posted October 22, 2013
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Indy Chamber announced today it will join the movement against HJR-6, the proposed amendment that would permanently alter the Indiana Constitution to define marriage and would remove existing protections under law for same-sex and unmarried couples and families.
“The Indy Chamber is in the business of strengthening our economy and attracting top talent to our region,” said John Thompson, Chair, Indy Chamber Board of Directors. “The proposed marriage amendment does nothing to help show the nation that Indiana is a place that welcomes all, not just some, and we must be mindful of how actions such as this will impact our competitiveness on a national and global level.”
No one has been able to clearly define what effects the amendment would have on existing marriages, employer-provided family benefits, human rights ordinances, legal contracts and other protections for all unmarried couples.
Opposition to the amendment is bipartisan and statewide, drawing support from lawmakers, advocates for liberty, faith leaders and others. Two of Indiana's largest employers, Eli Lilly and Company and Cummins, also have stated their opposition to the amendment because it will harm the state's economy and prevent job creators from recruiting top talent to Indiana.
Indy Chamber leadership recognizes that the amendment would duplicate existing Indiana law, which already defines marriage between one man and one woman. The amendment is a distraction from building momentum in the state legislature to address economic and workforce development challenges in the Indianapolis region and across the state.
“Indiana has set the standard for being a state with a strong, stable economy, one which attracts and retains some of the world's top talent. The passage of HJR-6 would be a major step backward in this mission,” said Thompson. “Legislative proposals in coming years should only serve to strengthen our economy, not weaken our appeal.”
The position against HJR-6 was drafted at the direction of Indy Chamber council and executive committee leadership and received executive committee support today.
In the coming 2014 legislative session, the Indy Chamber's business advocacy team will work in partnership alongside other business, faith and community organizations to defeat HJR-6 at the Statehouse and, if necessary, to participate in any voter referendum on the issue.
About the Indy Chamber
The Indy Chamber is the voice of progress and improvement for the Indianapolis region's business community. With membership of nearly 3,000 businesses representing 230,000 employees in the Indianapolis region, the Indy Chamber is leading the effort to strengthen the business climate, improve the state of education, revitalize neighborhoods and enhance the region's workforce. In 2012, the Indy Chamber merged with Indy Partnership, Develop Indy, and Business Ownership Initiative. For more information about the Indy Chamber, visit www.indychamber.com.
Source: The Indy Chamber
October 22, 2013
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – In regard to the news today that the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce has chosen to officially oppose the Marriage Protection Amendment in the 2014 Indiana General Assembly seeking to deny a vote of the people on the future of marriage in Indiana, here is a statement on this news.
“It is unfortunate that the Indy Chamber has taken this position. According to Kiplinger Financial Magazine, the top five states for best business growth in 2012 and 2013 all have Marriage Protection Amendments. The myth that public policy support for traditional marriage is somehow bad for business is nothing more than a red herring and a scare tactic.
The future of marriage belongs in the hands of Hoosier voters, not the board room of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce.”
In February 2012, Kiplinger Financial Magazine named the top ten states for predicted job growth. Every one of the top five states have marriage protection amendments. Seven of the Top 10 have amendments.
Source: The American Family Association of Indiana