Leadership

School Report Cards Released

This week the Ohio Department of Education released the 2019 school report cards. You can search for your schools’ report cards here.

Schools are graded from A to F. More than half of each school’s overall grade depends on how students perform on state tests each spring. Six factors are nearly evenly weighted: achievement, progress, and “gap closing” on state tests, plus graduation rate, improvement in K-3 reading, and a “prepared for success” measurement based on high school accomplishments. 9/12/2019

U.S. Chamber Index: Small Biz Optimism at Record High; Manufacturing Slips

Published this week, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index reached an all-time high of 70.7 this quarter, up two points from 68.7 last quarter. The survey showed that two-thirds of U.S. small businesses felt good about business health — but manufacturing optimism fell to 63%, down from 69% in Q2. The index found that 32% of manufacturers said they planned to increase staffing in Q3, compared to 39% last quarter. 9/11/2019

Ohio Gets Solid Marks in Small Business Study

Ohio’s small business environment has improved over the past year, according the 2019 Small Business Friendliness Survey. The annual report card by San Francisco-based Thumbtack considered several factors, including licensing requirements, taxes, and labor and hiring regulations. Ohio received an overall grade of B+, an improvement from its 2018 grade of B. The Buckeye State scored an A+ for its regulations affecting employment, labor, and hiring. However, it received a D in the “ease of hiring” category, reflecting owners’ frustration with Ohio’s ongoing workforce shortage. 9/9/2019

Without Action, Ex-Im Charter Expires in 17 Days

This week, a letter signed by more than 200 companies and organizations — including the OMA — was sent to federal lawmakers urging the U.S. House and Senate to pass a “robust and long-term re-authorization” of the Export-Import Bank.

Ex-Im operations are threatened by a Sept. 30 deadline by which Congress must re-authorize the bank’s charter. (See the NAM’s story here.) As the official export credit agency of the United States, Ex-Im has served 200 Ohio exporters — mostly small businesses — since 2014, with a combined $1 billion in exports. 9/12/2019

Protecting Ohio’s Statute of Limitations

A group of Ohio business and professional associations, including the OMA, testified this week through the Ohio Alliance for Civil Justice before a House committee, urging the legislature to protect Ohio’s statute of limitations.

At issue was HB 249, which would give victims of sexual misconduct that occurred during a specified period by a physician employed by a land grant university a right of action against the school. The bill was introduced as a result of the case against former Ohio State physician Richard Strauss.

The Alliance said: “Statutes of limitation play an important role in any legal system because they create certainty, discourage unnecessary delays, and protect the integrity of the judiciary by setting the outer most limit of time for a valid legal claim to be filed.”

The Alliance said it “opposes reviving claims already barred by the applicable statute of limitation because it will create disorder in Ohio’s business and legal climates. For Ohio’s courts, the decision to revive certain claims will call into question what other types of claims could be revived in the future. This slippery slope is harmful to the legal climate by eroding at the predictability and finality of a judge’s order.” 9/12/2019

Analysis: $100 Goes Further in Ohio

Using data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Tax Foundation has published a map that shows the purchasing power of $100 in each state. Ohio’s purchasing power is seventh best, with $100 buying $112.49 worth of goods or services when compared to the U.S. average. You can also see the real value of $100 in your metro area and county. 9/12/2019

Honda Marks 40 Years in Ohio

Forty years ago this week, the first American-made Honda product rolled off the line in Marysville, Ohio. Four decades later, the company has invested more than $11 billion in the state and employs roughly 15,000 Ohioans.

The Columbus Metropolitan Club recently hosted a forum to recognize Honda’s four decades in the Buckeye State. Panelists included OMA Workforce & Leadership Committee Chairman Scot McLemore, manager of talent acquisition and deployment at Honda North America, Inc., as well as Executive Vice President Tom Shoupe, Honda of America Mfg., and Equipment Service Technician Lewis Gleason, Honda North America. 9/10/2019

Production began at Honda’s Marysville motorcycle plant Sept. 10, 1979. The CR250R motocross bike was the first model to be built. (Photo: American Honda Motor)

Read All About It in the OMA’s Daily News Clips

If you’re not already subscribed to the OMA’s Daily News Clips, now is the time to give this service a try. With short summaries and links to the original news provider, this daily digest of news — customized for manufacturers — cuts through the clutter and gives you the news that matters from Ohio and national media.

Best of all, this service is free with your OMA membership — and an unlimited number of your employees can receive it. Sign up or learn more by emailing Lisa Cummings-Dye at the OMA, or calling (614) 629-6815. Or go to My OMA and click “My Publications.” 9/12/2019

Remembering Kurt Tunnell, Longtime OMA Counselor

In the early hours of Saturday, Aug. 31, former OMA General Counsel and good friend Kurt A. Tunnell was struck and killed by an impaired driver in rural Hilliard. Prior to his retirement in January 2018, Kurt had worked with the OMA for nearly a quarter century.

During his lengthy career, Kurt held several leadership roles, including managing partner with OMA’s general counsel Bricker & Eckler LLP, one of the state’s most prominent law firms. He also served as the chief legal counsel for Gov. George Voinovich, then returned to establish a leadership development program that would later be named in his honor. Read more in Kurt’s obituary.

Over the past several days, statements honoring Kurt and his legacy have poured in from across Ohio, including condolences from Gov. Mike DeWine, who worked with him in the Voinovich administration. Gov. DeWine said: “Kurt served his community, his state, and his fellow man, and we will miss him greatly.”

OMA President Eric Burkland said, “We are heartbroken by his untimely passing, but we are forever grateful for Kurt’s friendship and the opportunity to learn from him and work with him to better Ohio.”

A memorial foundation has been established to continue Kurt’s legacy of servant leadership. Contributions may be made to either of the following: The Namikango farm in Malawi, Africa in care of the Malawi Talent fund; or The Kurt Tunnell Servant Leadership Memorial Foundation in c/o of the Tunnell Leadership Development Program at Bricker & Eckler LLP. 9/4/2019

Cleveland Fed: Ohio’s Economy Steady As She Goes

The latest “Beige Book” released this week by the Federal Reserve shows that U.S. economic activity in the non-financial service sector was either steady or improving across the country through the end of August, expanding at a modest pace. Manufacturing and agriculture were the two weak spots as of late summer.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland reported that economic activity in Ohio and parts of neighboring states remained steady as well. This as competition for skilled labor led to higher wages in manufacturing, construction, and professional and business services. Manufacturers in the Cleveland Fed’s district saw weaker demand and elevated inventories “because uncertainty led their customers to delay capital expenditures.” Some manufacturers said the slowdown “was a return to normal following more than a year of hectic activity,” while the outlook for the coming months was mixed.

According to MarketWatch, “Fed officials are split about how to respond to fears of a sharper downturn,” but most economists think interest rates will be lowered by a quarter-point at the next policy meeting in two weeks. 9/4/2019