INDIANAPOLIS — Any politician running in this year's elections who claims state government needs to be more responsive to business does not understand the Indiana General Assembly.
Hoosier lawmakers, with few exceptions, literally almost could not do the bidding of the state's business interests more thoroughly than they already are.
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce recently scored the state's 100 representatives and 50 senators based on how closely their votes, during the 10-week legislative session that ended in March, matched the chamber's position on a variety of business issues.
In total, 76 percent of the Legislature voted in line with the chamber's desired result at least 70 percent of the time, a measure the business group's political arm uses to decide which candidates to financially support in elections.
That includes 24 representatives and 11 senators who voted with the chamber position on every roll call scored by the group.
"This report makes it clear which legislators support pro-economy, pro-jobs bills and which legislators do not," said Kevin Brinegar, chamber president.
Four Region lawmakers were among those attaining a perfect Chamber of Commerce vote record: state Sens. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, and Brandt Hershman, R-Buck Creek; and state Reps. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, and Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point.
Olthoff, who owns a small business and previously led the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce, said she was pleased by her 100 percent rating because it reflects her legislative priorities.
"I came down wanting to work on economic development issues totally to grow businesses so we could grow jobs," Olthoff said.
The scores for other Region representatives were: Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron, 95 percent; Charlie Brown, D-Gary, 51; Tom Dermody, R-LaPorte, 77; Bill Fine, R-Munster, 96; Donna Harris, D-East Chicago, 46; Linda Lawson, D-Hammond, 47; Chuck Moseley, D-Portage, 48; Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, 50; Hal Slager, R-Schererville, 93; and Vernon Smith, D-Gary, 45.
The remaining Region senator scores were: Jim Arnold, D-LaPorte, 74 percent; Frank Mrvan, D-Hammond, 67; Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, 84; Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, 71; Earline Rogers, D-Gary, 78; and Karen Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes, 67.
Brown joked that he was surprised his score was so high this year after regularly ranking among the lowest legislators due to his votes against chamber policies aimed at weakening labor unions.
"It's a pleasant surprise. Maybe they are moving more to the center as opposed to being so extreme," Brown said. "They are in favor of jobs, which I am. They are in favor of improving the economy, which I am."
Moseley, who also has clashed with the business group over its support for Indiana's right-to-work law and repeal of the common construction wage, said he's not opposed to working with the chamber on beneficial policies and his rating shows about half the time they're in sync.
"Sounds to me like we don't do a bad job of finding opportunities to agree to disagree, as well as opportunities to work together," Moseley said.
Soliday, Charbonneau and Tallian received special recognition for their legislative efforts on top chamber priorities involving road funding, water resources and work share programs, respectively.
Charbonneau said he's committed to improving Indiana's water infrastructure to ensure the state can sustain its residents and businesses into the future.
"Quality water resources are vital to the continued growth of the Hoosier state and economy," Charbonneau said. "I will continue to push for measures that responsibly invest in this critical natural resource."