News and Analysis
Manufacturers Win Asbestos Case
February 16, 2018Manufacturers picked up a win when the Supreme Court of Ohio recently issued a decision reversing the Eighth District Court of Appeals and adopting the proposition of law to reject the cumulative exposure theory of causation and to require compliance with Ohio’s tort reform law to prove that a defendant’s asbestos product was a substantial factor in causing the plaintiff’s disease.
This decision upholds Ohio’s asbestos reform and protects companies that are named as defendants in asbestos litigation.
The OMA had filed an amicus brief in support of Honeywell and the important legal principal.
This case will be on the agenda of the upcoming OMA Government Affairs Committee meeting on March 7. All members welcome. Register here. 2/15/2015
9 Ds, 2 Rs Throw Hats into Gubernatorial Ring
February 9, 2018When all was said and done, we have 11 candidates filing this week to become Ohio’s next governor.
The Republican field thinned to just two candidates: Attorney General Mike Dewine and Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor. Meanwhile, the Democratic candidates could be a baseball team: 9 candidates are in the game.
Read about the candidates here. 2/8/2018
2018 Down Ticket Races Set
February 9, 2018With the filing date passing this week, the down ticket races, both primaries and possible general election, are set.
Here’s a rundown on whom you’ll be voting this year in the Buckeye State. You’ll see just three primaries leading to the general election 10 months from now. 2/8/2018
Primaries for Tiberi, Renacci Seats Draw Lots of Candidates
February 9, 2018All of Ohio’s congressional seats are up for election this year, as is Senator Sherrod Brown. At filing deadline, the races to replace Pat Tiberi and Jim Renacci have drawn the most candidates, as expected.
See all the candidates here for a congressional election year that has so much at stake: control of both houses of Congress. 2/8/2018
Surprise: Bipartisan Redistricting Reform Achieved
February 9, 2018This week the Ohio General Assembly achieved what for so long seemed highly unlikely: bipartisan reform of Ohio’s congressional redistricting statutes.
To the victor belongs the spoils has long been the mantra for drawing the district lines for partisan purposes. That’s still the case, but with some sensible constraints to protect natural geographic constituencies (counties, cities, …).
Congratulations to the leadership in the House and Senate, both Republicans and Democrats alike, for coming together, compromising and achieving reform that will be good for Ohio. 2/8/2018
Lawmakers Rev Up Study of Autonomous Vehicles
February 9, 2018Members of the House Transportation and Public Safety Committee continued hearings last month to examine autonomous and connected vehicles and Ohio’s infrastructure and industry. Presentations were offered by officials from JobsOhio, Ohio Turnpike, DriveOhio and 3M Connected Road Group.
Thomas Huie of 3M, said in his presentation that his company is working with automakers and regulators to develop pavement marking with a higher contrast to improve lane detection for vehicles equipped with machine vision systems and road signs with the capability to communicate with automated driving systems.
Chairman Rep. Doug Green (R-Mt. Orab) said the committee will continue its investigation into smart vehicles in March with a road trip to the Transportation Research Center in East Liberty. The committee will hear testimony from the insurance industry in April and from cybersecurity experts in May.
Interested manufacturers can obtain copies of testimony or learn how to engage with this process by contacting the OMA’s Ryan Augsburger. 2/8/2018
What to Expect Next
February 9, 2018Check out a good, comprehensive analysis of what to expect next from the president and Congress from OMA Connections Partner, Squire Patton Boggs. The firm does a deep dive into the issues that will affect American manufacturing and the economy. 2/8/2018
Pres. Trump Visits with Ohio Manufacturers to Underscore Tax Reform Benefits
February 9, 2018This week President Trump visited Sheffer Corp., Cincinnati, to highlight the beneficial effects of tax reform on manufacturers.
The company manufactures hydraulic, pneumatic and custom cylinders for the marine, agriculture, oil and gas, and aerospace industries.
Because of the new changes to the tax code, Sheffer Corp. was able to give $1,000 bonuses to each of the company’s 126 employees this year.
Last week, the president met in the Oval office with an employee of Jergens, Inc., Cleveland. Jergens passed along larger annual increases as a result of tax reform.
Read more in this post from the National Association of Manufacturers. 2/5/2018
Manufacturing Front and Center at State of the Union Address
February 2, 2018
OMA director Steve Staub of Staub Manufacturing Solutions, Dayton, was a guest of honor at the president’s State of the Union address this week. Steve was joined by his sister and co-owner, Sandy Keplinger, and employee Corey Adams. They sat as guests of First Lady Melania Trump.
No matter your politics, this was a significant moment for U.S. – and Ohio – manufacturing and manufacturers to be recognized for important economic and societal contributions.
Here is the media statement OMA president Eric Burkland released and here’s a short video that was created about Staub’s journey to the prestigious event. 1/31/2018
Statewide Candidates File Campaign Finance Reports
February 2, 2018The financial filing deadline was this week for statewide candidates declared for the 2018 general election. Candidates for Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Auditor, and Treasurer all filed their financial reports.
Attorney General Mike DeWine who is running for governor was the financial leader; he indicated he had more than $10.5 million in the bank.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer has a nice breakdown of the governor’s race filing and the rest of the statewide races. 2/1/2018