Leadership

Fischer Declared Winner Over O’Donnell in Supreme Court of Ohio Race

The Supreme Court of Ohio race to replace Justice Judith Ann Lanzinger, who had reached the mandatory retirement age, has gone to Judge Pat Fischer over Judge John P. O’Donnell.

This race was too close to call, but after processing the absentee and provisional ballots last week, Fischer was declared the winner.

Judge Fischer was endorsed in the race by OMA-PAC.  11/28/2016

Smart Mobility Corridor Announced

Ohio is investing $15 million to install advanced highway technology along the Smart Mobility Corridor, a 35‑mile stretch of U.S. Route 33 in Central Ohio.

The state’s partnership with automotive research centers and local governments in the region will create the capacity to safely test innovative technologies, including self-driving vehicles.

This investment supports Ohio’s leadership in transportation equipment manufacturing.  12/1/2016

Members Get Discounts on UPS® Services

Visit savewithups or call 1-800-MEMBER (800-636-2377), M-F 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST to start saving in the OMA UPS program.  UPS is an OMA member.  11/28/2016

Lawmakers: Fix Insolvent Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Now

Steps were taken in 2016 via House Bill 390 to pay off the outstanding federal debt that Ohio incurred in the Great Recession.  But, no legislation was passed that corrected the conditions that caused Ohio to incur such a large federal debt, and which subjected employers to mounting FUTA taxes.

Penalty provisions were included in House Bill 390 that have the potential to dramatically increase taxes on employers.  The penalty provisions will not go away until new solvency legislation is passed.

Go here to learn a bit more about the solvency problem and the balanced approach OMA is backing.  Then, use the easy email tools here to tell your state representative and senator why having a solvent unemployment compensation trust fund helps you grow your business and provide jobs.

This legislative session ends next month.  If the General Assembly does not pass solvency measures before session ends, the whole process would need to start from scratch with a new legislature.  Ask your elected officials to finish the job on a solvent UI trust fund.

Contact OMA’s Rob Brundrett with questions or for help contacting your elected officials.  11/15/2016

132nd General Assembly Leadership Announced

Members of the Senate Republican Caucus in the upcoming General Assembly voted this week to elect Sen. Larry Obhof (R-Medina) as the next senate president. He succeeds Sen. Keith Faber (R-Celina), who is term-limited in the chamber.

Obhof’s leadership team is reported to include: Sen. Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) as president pro tem; Sen. Randy Gardner (R-Bowling Green) as majority floor leader and Sen. Gayle Manning (R-N. Ridgeville) as majority whip.

Senate Democrats meanwhile reelected Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni (D-Boardman), Assistant Minority Leader Sen. Charleta B. Tavares (D-Columbus), Minority Whip Sen. Edna Brown (D-Toledo) and Assistant Minority Whip Sen. Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati).

Last week majority Republicans in the House voted to retain Speaker Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville).  His leadership team will be Rep. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton) as speaker pro tem,  Rep. Dorothy Pelanda (R-Marysville) in the role of majority floor leader, Rep. Sarah LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Twp.) as assistant majority floor leader, Sen. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) as majority whip and Rep. Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) as assistant majority whip.

House Democrats will retain Minority Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton), Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Nicholas Celebrezze (D-Parma), Minority Whip Rep. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) and Assistant Minority Whip Rep. Jack Cera (D-Bellaire).  11/16/2016

Crib Bumper Pad Manufacturing Ban

The OMA worked this week with the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) on SB 332 (Jones, R-Springboro), a bill that would, among other things, ban the manufacturer or sale of crib bumper pads in Ohio.

JPMA testified that crib bumper pads and many other products are regulated by the federal  Consumer Product Safety Commission.  ASTM F1917-12 Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Infant Bedding and Accessories, JPMA said, is the widely recognized safety standard for crib bumper pads.  JPMA asked that products meeting federal standards be allowed to be manufactured and sold in Ohio.

OMA opposes state-level product manufacturing regulation, when appropriate national standards exist.  11/17/2016

Manufacturers: We Are the Solution

A group of leaders from more than 1,000 manufacturing businesses and associations, including the OMA, wrote a “unity letter” to President-elect Trump the day after this week’s election.

“We believe in an exceptional America. We believe we are stronger as a nation when we are united. And, we believe we, as business leaders, all have a unique responsibility to bring our country back together again—a responsibility we wholeheartedly embrace,” wrote the leaders.

“The days after a hard-fought presidential election have traditionally been a time to mend the divisions in our country, with political parties and nominees moving beyond the harshness of the campaign season and putting our nation, and our democratic system, first before all else. You can count on us to help lead the way in bringing about that healing and reconciliation,” they commited.

In a press release, NAM president Jay Timmons noted the centrality of American manufacturing to the election:  “This election makes clear that Americans agree that manufacturing is the nation’s priority. They want our industry to lead the world and create more jobs. They know that when manufacturing is strong, America is strong. It will be up to us to channel that enthusiasm towards the right policies.”  11/9/2016

General Assembly Increases Republican Majorities in Both Chambers

When the 132nd Ohio General Assembly is sworn in early next year, it will have an even larger Republican majority than it does now.

The Senate Republicans picked up the seat of Democrat incumbent Lou Gentile (D-Steubenville) of the 30th district with the election of freshman Frank Hoagland (R- Adena).  The Senate becomes 24 Republicans and 9 Democrats.

The House Republicans advanced their majority, 66-33, by picking up Republican Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville) in the 94th district open seat race.  11/10/2016

OMA-PAC Endorsed Supreme Court Candidates Win

The candidates endorsed by the OMA-PAC board of directors were victorious Tuesday, so far.

Judge Pat Fischer, at the end of a long night, edged his opponent by a mere 24,000 votes.  However, Secretary of State Jon Husted says there are 158,000 provisional ballots and 103,000 absentee ballots yet to be counted.

Judge Pat DeWine, son of Attorney General Mike DeWine, topped his opponent by 8%.  Maureen O’Connor was unopposed for a second six-year term as chief justice.  11/10/2016

Meet the Freshmen

Seven Senate freshmen and 24 House freshmen will go to work in January.

You can see who they are here.

Some names will be familiar as a number of legislators who were term limited in one chamber successfully ran for a seat in the other, or have sat out for at least four years.  Eleven of the 31 freshmen have previously served in the General Assembly.

Additionally, freshman Reps. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) and Derek Merrin (R-Maumee) had been appointed to their seats back in August, and each won their November race.  11/10/2016