Indiana Chamber on INGOP’s attacks on small businesses: “ this provision will dramatically impact their vaccine policy because it would be too expensive to administer weekly testing for all of their unvaccinated workers” 

INGOP’s proposed legislation comes as COVID-19 cases are on the rise and a more dangerous variant has been found overseas

Brian Howey: “Memo to General Assembly Republicans: There’s more than ‘personal freedom’ at stake here. Taking the long view … once this terrible pandemic ends … would best serve all Hoosiers.”

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today bumped up the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s “strong opposition” to the Indiana Republican Party’s partisan crusade against the COVID-19 vaccine and the state government’s attempts to get more Hoosiers vaccinated. Specifically, the Republicans’ extreme partisanship against President Joe Biden’s pandemic guidelines is now jeopardizing Indiana’s business community by a proposal to have companies foot the bill for COVID-19 testing. Indiana Republicans’ neverending movement against vaccines not only harms the state’s economic recovery but once again puts lives at risk. And, it’s all to fulfill a form of partisanship that’s become too extreme for the Hoosier State. 

What’s worse: the proposed legislation comes as COVID-19 cases are on the rise across Indiana and as a new, more dangerous variant has been detected. 

“Indiana Republicans embarrassed themselves and the state government when they tried to cancel out the necessary tools needed for businesses and Hoosiers to fight COVID-19. Republicans are quickly proving they are the party that’s bad for business, and it’s because they would rather put their extreme partisanship ahead of creating a better future for Hoosiers,” said Lauren Ganapini, executive director for the Indiana Democratic Party. “Indiana Democrats continue to ask Hoosiers to get their COVID-19 vaccine. Science and medicine are equipped to fight the pandemic, and we ask all Hoosiers to do their patriotic and civic duty to help put this pandemic behind us by getting vaccinated.” 

Here’s a look at how tone deaf and extreme the Indiana Republican Party has become:

Indiana Chamber Announces “Strong Opposition” to INGOP’s Crusade on Vaccines

Indiana Chamber of Commerce: “The Indiana General Assembly is slated to hold a one-day special session on Monday to vote on a bill that could restrict businesses’ ability to require the COVID-19 vaccine for employees. I testified in strong opposition to the preliminary draft measure at yesterday’s marathon hearing.” […]

“Unfortunately, as of the hearing, the provision calling for employers to foot the bill for testing is included. Since the vaccine itself is widely available and free to employees, the Chamber’s stance is that employers shouldn’t have to pay for testing.

For some businesses, this provision will dramatically impact their vaccine policy because it would be too expensive to administer weekly testing for all of their unvaccinated workers. In fact, one large manufacturer shared with us how much of a burden that would be. They have roughly 300 employees who are not vaccinated, with weekly testing for each one at a minimum of $100; the total cost after six months would be a staggering $1.2 million!.” […]

INGOP’s Extreme Partisanship on Vaccines Panned by Hoosiers, Media

Howey Politics Indiana: “Memo to General Assembly Republicans: There’s more than “personal freedom” at stake here. Taking the long view … once this terrible pandemic ends … would best serve all Hoosiers.” 

IndyStar Columnist James Briggs: “It turns out that legislative Republicans have the capacity for shame. The planned one-day session next week to stop employers from firing people over vaccines has been called off.” 

Also Briggs: “Disastrous and embarrassing day of testimony before the Indiana General Assembly. If legislative Republicans had the capacity for shame, they’d see what side they’re on and ditch the employer vaccine mandate language in the bill/not bill they’re discussing.” 

Also Briggs: “You can tell Republicans feel proud and confident in the merits of their employer vaccine mandate policy by the way they released draft language on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and plan to pass it into law on the Monday after Thanksgiving without the normal committee process.”

IndyStar: Republican Lawmakers cancel one-day session after backlash to COVID vaccine mandate bill

Associated Press: Indiana lawmakers delay bill restricting COVID-19 mandates

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: “Support was slim for a proposal heard by lawmakers Tuesday that would clear the way for the end of the public health emergency and restrict employer vaccine mandates.

Medical professionals opposed the measure being pushed by Republicans in an accelerated process that would suspend rules and pass a law in a day.” […]

“Dr. Stephen Tharp – representing the Indiana State Medical Association – said the bill will prolong the pandemic and harm the economy, health care system and society further. He said the state needs to promote vaccinations as a way to end the pandemic not pass language that makes it easier to opt out of a vaccine mandate.” 

NWI Times: “The decision follows a seven-hour joint committee hearing Tuesday on Preliminary Draft 3651 that drew ire from leading Indiana business and health care organizations who said they don’t want the state dictating their COVID-19 vaccine policies” 

Indiana Public Media: GOP backs off plan to pass COVID-19 vaccine mandate restrictions in single-day session

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