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House approves amendment to penalize corporations for moving

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana House members approved an amendment Tuesday that would allow local government to take back incentives if corporations move operations to a foreign country.

State Rep. Karlee Macer is trying to do something after Carrier announced its moving to Mexico, impacting 1,400 central Indiana jobs.

Macer wants to send a strong message to corporations that you can’t just pick up and leave when you want. She represents district 92.

“I’ve grown up on the west side. I represent this community, but this is my community,” said Macer. “This is my home; these are our families.”

Macer said the plan has been unsettling for longtime employees.

“I listened to people for the last several days and weeks now, and I just didn’t feel enough was being done and it’s about jobs,” said Macer. “It’s about making sure that they are going to have what is needed for them, but also to prevent this from happening in the future.”

Macer wrote an amendment that would penalize corporations for their actions, like taking back property tax incentives and preventing corporate tax breaks.

House members approved the amendment. It’s attached to Senate Bill 308.

“When a company decides that they’re going to pull out we need to stop everything at that moment,” said Macer. “They don’t deserve or need any other incentive opportunities.”

But her work is far from being done. Macer said there’s a possibility the bill could go to a conference committee or to the governor’s desk.

“I have learned here doing this job as a representative, it’s never over until it’s over,” said Macer. “It’s important for me to continue to stay on top of everything for my community.”

The house approved the amendment by a 60-34 margin.

24-Hour News 8 reached out to some of those representatives who voted “no” for a comment, but we have not heard back.