Leadership

Governor Kasich to Deliver State of the State Address Next Week

Continuing his tradition of taking the annual State of the State address on the road, Governor Kasich will deliver his comments in Marietta next week, on Thursday, April 7 at noon.  You can watch the governor’s remarks via webcast on the Ohio Channel.

RSM Announces U.S. Middle Market Business Index

OMA Connections Partner, RSM US LLP, recently released its first U.S. Middle Market Business Index (MMBI).  Developed in partnership with Moody’s Analytics, the MMBI is designed to accurately reflect business conditions in the U.S. middle market, while providing a statistically significant measure of the health and outlook for these businesses.

The inaugural edition of the index puts U.S. middle market business conditions at 116.6 in the first quarter of 2016, a 1.4 percent uptick from the fourth quarter of 2015.  Going forward, the MMBI is intended to serve as a leading indicator for the middle market, what RSM calls the real economy.  RSM says this segment of the U.S. economy represents more than 200,000 firms, 40 million jobs and one-third of private sector gross receipts.

The index is based on surveys of RSM’s Middle Market Leadership Council, a panel of 700 middle market executives managed by Nielsen, conducted in the first month of each quarter.  Read more.

Participate in Annual Manufacturing Benchmark Study

OMA Connections Partner, RSM US LLC, is calling for participation in its 2016 Monitor study which will assess manufacturer and distributor business conditions, growth strategies, use of information technologies, and cyber security issues.

OMA encourages member participation which give this high-profile study vital information and real-world insights that are used by manufacturers, distributors, industry trade associations, and government policymakers.

This year RSM added a special segment that will allow automotive manufacturers to answer questions specific to the automotive industry.

Please complete the questionnaire to the best of your ability, based on conditions at your company.  It should take approximately 15-25 minutes.  Thank you for submitting your questionnaire by April 22, 2016.

Registration is Open for OMA’s June 14 Food Manufacturers & Suppliers Meeting

The OMA’s annual Food Manufacturers & Suppliers Meeting brings you the legislative, regulatory and economic development issues that directly impact food manufacturers.

The officials whom you need to know and hear from will be on hand, including Ohio Agriculture Department Director, David Daniels, EPA Deputy Director for Business Relations, Laurie Stevenson, and JobsOhio Managing Director, Aaron Pitts.  Our meeting chairman is Derek L. Crawford, Director, U.S. Government Affairs, The Kraft Heinz Company.

RSVP for the June 14 meeting to Denise Locke or call us at (800) 662-4463, or go to My OMA to register.  A networking dinner will follow the business meeting.  Click here for a downloadable flier with the details

Marijuana Proposal Presents Employer Concerns

OMA legal counsel, Joelle Khouzam, Bricker & Eckler LLP, has analyzed a recently proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution by the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), a Washington D.C.-based group, to permit the medical use of marijuana.

This analysis summarizes the proposed Marijuana Policy Project amendment and the corresponding workplace concerns.  According to counsel, there are multiple provisions that may interfere with or limit an employer’s ability to enforce its workplace policies.

The amendment may be on the November General Election ballot if it survives the signature and certification process.  Supporters of the amendment must submit 1,000 signatures and an amendment summary to the Ohio Attorney General.  If the Attorney General certifies the measure, the Ohio Ballot Board will decide if the proposed amendment is one or more ballot issues.  At that point, proponents could begin collecting the 305,591 signatures necessary to qualify for the November ballot.  Signatures are due by July 6 to qualify for the November election.

Voters Value the American Steel Industry

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that a coalition of associations and companies, representing steel producers and the supply chain, commissioned a survey of 1,000 registered likely voters from across the country to gauge public concern about the steel industry’s plight and measure recommendations for action.  Key findings of the survey, which was performed by The Tarrance Group of Alexandria, Virginia, at the end of January, conclude that:

• The loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs overseas and the damage to the American steel industry due to unfair foreign imports are very important issues facing the country, according to 82% of voters.
  • 72% of voters believe elected officials of both parties have let the United States fall behind other countries that don’t play by the rules.
  • 86% of voters very strongly believe that the American steel industry is critical to America’s national security.

Additional key findings of the survey are available here.

It’s Kasich and Clinton in Ohio

Ohioans gave Governor John Kasich a strong vote of support in the presidential primary on Tuesday.  The governor gained 46.98% of the vote, besting Donald Trump, who took 35.87%, and Ted Cruz, who came in with 13.30%.

The governor received the most votes ever in an Ohio Republican primary.  His 917,000 votes blew away the record of 794,000 set by President George W. Bush in 2004.

Ohio Democrats gave 56.51% of their votes to Hillary Clinton, and Bernie Sanders 42.72%.  Some pundits thought that Ohio might be like Michigan, where Sanders pulled an upset.  Ohio is not like Michigan.

Trump won counties in southeastern and eastern Ohio; the governor took the rest.  The outcome keeps the governor on the campaign trail that leads to the convention in Cleveland.

See all the results at the Secretary of State’s website.

OMA Endorsed Judge Wins Primary

OMA endorsed Judge Pat Fisher won a Republican primary for a Ohio Supreme Court seat to be contested in the fall.  Fisher took 54.25% of the vote.  His opponent, Colleen Mary O’Toole, took 45.75%.

Fisher will join fellow Republicans, Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor and Judge Pat Dewine, on the General Election ballot. 

Boehner Seat Goes to Freedom Caucus

The most watched Republican primary in the state this week was that for Ohio’s 8^th district, held by the retired John Boehner for a quarter century.  It went to a Freedom Caucus (often at odds with Boehner during his speakership) candidate, businessman Warren Davidson of Troy.  Lots of Washington money was spent in the race.

In the 15 person primary, Davidson took 32.27%.  State Representative Tim Derrickson took 23.92%, and State Senator Bill Beagle 19.62%.

The district has a 63.5% Republican index.  Davidson will be a congressman. 

Dolan Prevails in Tough Ohio Senate Primary

Matt Dolan, a former state legislator, beat two sitting state representatives in the most closely watched Ohio Senate Republican primary race.  Dolan took 44.34% of the vote for the 24^th Senate district.  His rivals, Nan Baker and Mike Dovilla, received 29.06% and 26.59% respectively.

The 24^th is made up of suburbs of Cleveland.  It has a Republican index of 53.9%.  Dolan will face Emily Hagan.  The Hagan name is a popular one among Cuyahoga County voters.  This is a race.