Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce Hosts Senator Jeff Raatz and Representative Brad Barrett for Legislative Event

Richmond, Indiana – May 2, 2025 – This morning, the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the second installment of its 2025 Legislative Series, welcoming State Senator Jeff Raatz and State Representative Brad Barrett for a timely and engaging conversation on key legislative issues.

Melissa Vance, Chamber President and CEO, along with Marty Van Der Burgt, Chair of the Issues & Advocacy Committee, facilitated the discussion, posing questions to the legislators on a wide range of topics including taxes, healthcare, and education. With the conclusion of the 2025 Indiana legislative session, much of the conversation centered around major outcomes and legislative priorities.

“Senator Raatz and Representative Barrett did an excellent job unpacking a busy legislative session for our members,” said Vance. “The Chamber remains committed to offering opportunities for our members to engage directly with elected officials and provide input where appropriate. We are fortunate to have leaders who take the time to connect with our community in meaningful ways.”

Education emerged as a major focus of the discussion, with detailed conversation around new diploma requirements and recent budget reductions impacting school systems. Several local educators and school representatives were present and contributed to the dialogue, both during the moderated session and in follow-up discussions.

In addition to education, attendees—many of whom were local business leaders—raised questions regarding the implications of tax policy on small businesses in Wayne County as well as local government funding and services. The event provided a valuable forum for members to voice their concerns and gain clarity on how new legislation may affect their industries.

The Legislative Series will conclude later this year with a final event featuring U.S. Representative Jefferson Shreve on August 22. As with previous sessions, the Chamber will host a “fireside chat” format followed by questions and answers.

​Advocacy & Awareness is one of the four pillars of the Chamber and aims to keep the needs of the local business community at the forefront of elected officials’ minds as they craft legislation that can drive growth in Wayne County