Leadership

Another State Mandates ‘Right to Repair’

Earlier this year, the OMA formally opposed Senate Bill 73, which would mandate the so-called “right to repair.” Manufacturers have warned that such legislation would expose trade secrets and threaten intellectual property.

Now Minnesota policymakers have passed the nation’s broadest right-to-repair law, according to reports, following in the footsteps of Massachusetts, Colorado, and New York. 6/6/2023

Early Voting Begins July 11 for Special Election

As previously reported, Ohio voters will decide on Aug. 8 whether to approve State Issue 1, a 60% voter-approval standard that would make it more difficult to amend the state constitution.

Secretary of State Frank LaRose has published this voting schedule for the special election. Early in-person absentee voting begins July 11. 6/1/2023

OMA Government Affairs Committee to Meet June 7

Gov. Mike DeWine’s chief of staff, Stephanie McCloud, and state Rep. Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton) — a key member of the House leadership team — will speak to members at the OMA Government Affairs Committee meeting this Wednesday, June 7.

Members will also learn more about State Issue 1 (see related story) and Ohio’s upcoming special election, set for Aug. 8. Register here to attend in person or via Zoom. 6/1/2023

Report: Reshoring Continues at Record Pace

Reshoring and foreign direct-investment (FDI) manufacturing job announcements added another 101,500 U.S. jobs in Q1 2023, according to the Reshoring Initiative’s latest report. This follows the addition of more than 406,000 jobs in 2022.

The report says four industries account for roughly 90% of all added jobs: electrical equipment (including EV batteries), computer and electronics, transportation equipment, and chemicals.

At the current pace, the cumulative number of reshored and FDI jobs added since 2010 will reach two million by year end — about 40% of what had been lost to offshoring. 5/22/2023

Manufacturing and Supply Chains in 2030

OMA Connections Partner RSM is looking towards 2030 and what the near future holds for manufactures and their supply chains. The firm advises middle-market manufacturers to invest with a keen awareness that artificial intelligence, digitalization, and automation will play larger roles in operations. Read RSM’s report. 5/22/2023

Early Endorsement in 2024 U.S. Senate Race

Ohio’s 2024 U.S. Senate race made national news when U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) this week endorsed Cleveland businessman Bernie Moreno in the GOP contest to unseat incumbent U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH).

Moreno and state Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) have formally announced U.S. Senate campaigns; other Republicans are reportedly considering entering the race. Early on, the Cook Political Report has deemed the race a toss-up. 5/23/2023

Guidance on Conducting a Cyber Threat Assessment

Among the first things a business should do to enhance cybersecurity, protect its network, and safeguard data is conduct a threat assessment. OMA Connections Partner CliftonLarsonAllen has published these four steps to prevent data breaches, cyber assaults, and ransomware attacks. 5/24/2023

At a Glance: PGMs Importance to the Auto Sector

Platinum group metals (PGMs) are crucial to the automotive industry to control emissions. Currently, Russia and South Africa are responsible for about 80% of PGM production, according to this infographic published by Visual Capitalist. 5/24/2023

Infographic: Taiwan’s Dominance in Advanced Semiconductors

Statista has published this infographic illustrating Taiwan’s dominance in advanced semiconductor fabrication. The island is home to 92% of the world’s production of logic semiconductors, whose components are smaller than 10 nanometers — underscoring the need for more U.S.-based manufacturing of advanced semiconductors.

Meanwhile, Intel recently shared this photo of crews in Licking County pouring concrete at the company’s Ohio One manufacturing site. It’s another major step for the Silicon Heartland! 5/23/23

At a Glance: Ohio’s Biopharmaceutical Sector

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), an OMA Connections Partner, has highlighted the economic benefits that the industry brings to Ohio. According to PhRMA, the biopharmaceutical sector provides more than 122,800 direct and indirect Ohio jobs — and nearly $35 billion in economic output. More details here. 5/17/2023