News and Analysis
DeWine-Husted Ticket Focused on Economy
June 8, 2018
Lt. Governor candidate Jon Husted visited with members of the OMA Government Affairs Committee this week. Husted told committee members that the DeWine-Husted administration will be focused on jobs and the economy.
He entertained members’ questions about energy policy, legal climate, state tax competitiveness, workforce development and gun rights vis a vis private property.
Husted expressed confidence in a strong Republican ticket in spite of speculation of a Democrat wave in the general election.
Also during the meeting members heard political insights from Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper.
The committee will next meet in northeast Ohio on September 13. Register here. 6/7/2018
Candidate for Ohio Lt. Governor, Jon Husted, addresses OMA Gov’t. Affairs Committee. Committee vice chairman, Luke Harms, Sr. Manager, Government Relations, Whirlpool Corp., looks on.
Yost Visits with Manufacturing Leaders
June 8, 2018
Auditor of State, and candidate for Attorney General, Dave Yost stopped by the OMA this week to visit with manufacturing leaders and talk about manufacturing competitiveness issues.
Yost engaged with OMA members on matters of tort reform, energy and environment, workforce development, opioids, and others. Yost understands the importance of a regulatory and legal environment that supports industrial growth in Ohio. 6/7/2018
Auditor of State, and candidate for Attorney General, Dave Yost (left) stopped by the OMA this week to visit with manufacturing leaders.
Resources for Dealing with the Threat of Cyber Attack
June 8, 2018Cyber attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and frequent, with a reported 4,000 attacks on small businesses each day.
The advisors with The Ohio State University’s Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence (CDME) have developed a comprehensive program that provides an assessment of your current system as it pertains to the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) 800-171 cybersecurity framework, and can also work with you to provide needed remediation with trusted industry partners.
CDME can assess your current cybersecurity status and advise on the actions needed to strengthen your digital borders against cyber threats. Contact Jamey Dixon, IT Growth Advisor, Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program, (614) 292-5239. 6/5/2018
Husted and Pepper to Highlight Government Affairs Committee
June 1, 2018Members of the OMA Government Affairs Committee will gather next Wednesday, June 6, to review state public policy issues affecting Ohio manufacturers.
The committee will hear election insights from Republican Lt. Governor candidate Jon Husted and from Ohio Democrat Party Chair David Pepper.
OMA members can participate in person or call in; register here. 5/31/2018
A Troubling Window into Army Corps Machinations over Cuyahoga River Dredge
June 1, 2018From the Cleveland Plain Dealer editorial board this week: “(A)recent Senate subcommittee investigation led by Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio reminds us how recently Corps officials were “gaming” the system with budget manipulations and attempted extortion over keeping Cleveland’s economically critical Cuyahoga River navigation channel open for business.”
Read the editorial on the unfortunate Corps behavior. 5/31/2018
Business Leaders to House GOP: Elect a Speaker
May 25, 2018On Wednesday this week, the House canceled its voting sessions for Wednesday and Thursday, a decision that prevents any progress on voting in a new Speaker to replace Cliff Rosenburger, who resigned amid an FBI investigation.
Not only does the action leave the chamber’s leadership up in the air, it continues to delay votes on pending bills.
Leaders of Ohio’s business communities united early in the week to implore the House GOP caucus to act. A joint letter to Rep. Kirk Schuring, Speaker Pro Tempore, from the executives of the National Federation of Independent Business-Ohio, Ohio Business Roundtable, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, The Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, and The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association said:
“… Our interest – and we believe that of House members – is that the General Assembly take up the policy issues that will continue to support and improve Ohio’s economy and the welfare of its citizens. Without a Speaker – and with the distracting controversy of electing one – we risk timely progress.” 5/23/2018
Groups Sue, Claim Ohio Congressional Districts Unconstitutional
May 25, 2018This week civil rights groups led by the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in Cincinnati challenging the constitutionality of Ohio’s congressional districts. The lawsuit contends that Ohio’s congressional map, which was drawn by Republicans after the 2010 census, locked in a 12-4 Republican seat advantage that infringes on voters’ rights to choose their representatives.
The lawsuit comes at a puzzling time as Ohio voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot proposal in the May primary that requires bipartisan cooperation in drawing new congressional districts. 5/24/2018
House Auxiliary Container Legislation has First Hearing
May 25, 2018House Bill 625, which prohibits a local government from imposing a tax or a fee on auxiliary containers (e.g. plastic bags or foam containers), received its first hearing in the House this week.
The bill’s sponsors, Reps. George Lang (R-West Chester Twp.) and Scott Lipps (R-Franklin), provided testimony which named supporters of the bill including the OMA and a multitude of other business organizations.
The OMA previously testified in support of the companion bill, Senate Bill 210. 5/24/2018
PUCO International Roadcheck is June 5-7
May 25, 2018The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) is participating in the 31st annual International Roadcheck, a transportation safety and security event, scheduled June 5–7 throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The 72-hour event highlights the important role roadside enforcement plays in ensuring North America’s highways remain safe and secure.
This year’s focus is on hours-of-service compliance, which was the top reason that drivers were removed from roadways during the previous year’s roadcheck.
Read more about this. 5/23/2018
3-D Printing – A Fast Moving Market
May 25, 2018OMA Connections Partner, Benesch, has produced this quarterly report which provides a sector-by-sector update about the fast-moving 3-D printing market.
With PricewaterhouseCoopers, Benesch offers its 4th Annual 3D Printing Conference on May 31, 2018 in Cleveland. 5/24/2018