Leadership

Ohio Division of Industrial Compliance Looks to Increase Boiler Fees

A new rule proposed by the Ohio Division of Industrial Compliance (rule 1301:3-5-05.1 of the Administrative Code) seeks to increase the amount of fees collected by the division’s boiler section (established in section 4104.18 of the Revised Code).

You can review the division’s Business Impact Statement here. Please contact OMA’s Rob Brundrett with any questions. 12/13/2018

Governor-Elect DeWine Visits with OMA Board

On Tuesday this week, Governor-Elect Mike DeWine met with the OMA board of directors.

DeWine reflected on the neck and neck campaign, which the polls generally had going to Richard Cordray. The DeWine-Husted ticket ended up winning by an impressive 5%.

He also discussed matters of policy importance to Ohio’s dominant industry, manufacturing. And, he invited input from the board and the committees of the OMA.

The OMA-PAC board endorsed DeWine in June of this year. 12/6/2018

Governor-Elect Mike DeWine visited with OMA board of directors this week

OMA Board Elects Foerster

At its meeting this week the OMA board of directors elected Dale Foerster, Vice President, Starr Manufacturing, Youngstown.

Dale is also the current president of the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition, an industry-led sector partnership in eastern Ohio.

Dale has a bachelor’s degree in English, history and secondary education from Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, TX.

She is a former recipient of the National Women in Manufacturing STEP Ahead award. 12/4/2018

President George H.W. Bush: Grandson of Second OMA President

As we mourn the passing of our 41^st president, George H.W. Bush, we reflect on his family connection to Ohio manufacturing.

His grandfather, Samuel Prescott Bush, was the long-time president of Buckeye Steel Castings in Columbus.

He was a founder of the OMA and served as its second president.

Samuel Prescott Bush died in 1948, and is buried in the Greenlawn Cemetery in Columbus. 12/6/2018

Lt. Governor-Elect Husted Visits with OMA Members

Lt. Governor-elect Jon Husted stopped by the OMA’s Government Affairs Committee meeting today to spend some time with members.

He said that his focus for Ohio within the DeWine administration will be on initiatives that grow the economy, including a particular focus on workforce development.

His remarks were well-received by members who appreciate the administration’s focus on economic development. 11/29/2018

Anheuser-Busch’s Corbitt Appointed OMA Gov’t. Affairs Committee Chair

At its quarterly meeting this week, the OMA Government Affairs Committee appointed its new chair.

The gavel was passed from Christopher Hess, Director of Public Affairs, Eaton, to Scott Corbitt, Region Vice President, Anheuser-Busch Companies (pictured).

We are grateful to Chris for his years of leadership on the committee.

As a result of becoming the chair of the OMA Government Affairs Committee, Scott will also become a full member of the OMA board of directors. This provision in the OMA code of regulations highlights the importance of the committee chairmanship.

The committee has two vice-chairs, Luke Harms, Senior Manager, Government Relations, Whirlpool Corp., renews his leadership position and is joined by Steve Norton, Director, Corp. Communications and Govt. Affairs, STERIS Corp. 11/29/2018

Ballot Reform Measure Introduced

House leadership this week introduced a bipartisan sponsored ballot reform measure, House Joint Resolution 19 (HJR19). The resolution, co-sponsored by Sarah LaTourette (R-Chesterland) and Glenn Holmes (D-McDonald), would change both Ohio’s constitutional amendment process and citizen-initiated statute process.

Ohio’s constitutional amendment process has been long criticized as too easy to gain ballot access, and often the constitution was considered “for sale” to out-of-state special interests.

HJR19 would tighten the qualifications for a constitutional amendment on the ballot to pass by, among other things, increasing the percentage of electors required to approve the amendment from a simple majority to 60%.

Conversely, the resolution would also lower the threshold for citizen-initiated statutes to make it to the ballot. 11/29/2018

OMA Supports Bill that Caps Contract Statute of Limitations

This week the OMA offered written proponent testimony for House Bill 694 which would set Ohio’s statute of limitations for written and oral contracts at three years. The bill is pending before the House Civil Justice Committee.

OMA wrote: “By enacting a three-year statute of limitations, Ohio would be increasing its business competitiveness. Enacting House Bill 694 helps Ohio improve its competitive advantage as compared to other states for businesses looking to locate in, or remain in, Ohio. It is another piece of the economic development puzzle.” 11/28/2018

“Bag Bill” Gets the Go-ahead from the House

This week the House passed House Bill 625, legislation that clarifies state law for businesses in regards to their use of packaging containers such as bags, bottles and other food service items.

HB 625, sponsored by Reps. George Lang (R-West Chester) and Scott Lipps (R-Franklin), prohibits local governments from imposing taxes and fees on the use, sale or consumption of these products, which are known as “auxiliary containers.”

If signed into law, Ohio would join several states that have already passed similar legislation, including Florida, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and North Carolina.

The OMA has been an active supporter of the bill, previously testifying “… the OMA routinely advocates mitigating locally-imposed restrictions or taxes. In many cases these types of regulations are most appropriately adopted at the federal government level so as to not disadvantage businesses in one state over businesses in another state.”

HB 625 now goes to the Ohio Senate for consideration, and hopefully passes before the end of the December session. 11/28/2018

House Democrats Elect Leaders

Rep. Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton) was re-elected as minority leader for the House Democratic Caucus in the 133^rd General Assembly. Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) will take over as assistant minority leader.

Rep. Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati) will serve as minority whip and Rep. Kent Smith (D-Euclid) as assistant minority whip. 11/28/2018