News and Analysis
We’ve Lost a Dear Friend
June 17, 2016With the passing of George Voinovich, we’ve lost Ohio manufacturing’s greatest advocate, and a dear friend.
The most successful politician in the state’s history (forty years of service at the local, state and federal level), Senator Voinovich was a good man, in every sense of those words. He led with conviction, caring and high standards. And, good old fashioned Buckeye hard work.
The OMA worked closely with Senator Voinovich throughout his public career, and continued to do so after his retirement (he never stopped working). Senator Voinovich worked hard to grow Ohio’s industrial economy at each of his jobs. He focused on attracting manufacturing investment and creating manufacturing jobs. And, he got things done.
Those of us that work for and through the OMA are greatly saddened with the Senator’s passing. It was a great privilege to work with him, and a great joy to share in the work of some of his accomplishments. We’ve lost a dear friend, but not the things, so many things, that he built in his lifetime.
OMA Announces Partnership with LIFT
June 17, 2016This week the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) and Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow, LIFT, announced their Ohio-based partnership.
LIFT is a public-private partnership committed to advanced lightweight metal manufacturing technologies and implementing education and training initiatives to better prepare the manufacturing workforce.
Almost without exception, manufacturers with whom OMA interacts claim that finding adequate numbers of skilled workers is their number one issue.
By working with LIFT, and other organizations focused on addressing manufacturing workforce development, OMA executes its mission to protect and grow Ohio manufacturing.
Here is our press release and a Fact sheet: LIFT & state manufacturers’ associations partnership. We’ll keep members posted about specific opportunities created by the partnership.
Encourage Your Employees to Vote, Poster for Your Use
June 17, 2016Study after study has shown that employees want and trust information from their employers on voting and elections.
Here’s a poster you can display to communicate that you believe every employee in your company should exercise his or her right to vote.
Lots more get out the vote tools for employers can be found at OMA’s 2016 Election Center.
OMA Hosted Food Manufacturers and Government Affairs Committee
June 17, 2016
Pictured: Derek L. Crawford, Corporate & Government Affairs, The Kraft Heinz Company
This week the OMA hosted members at two forums: OMA’s annual Food Manufacturers & Suppliers meeting and the quarterly meeting of the OMA Government Affairs Committee.
In the food manufacturers’ event, panel discussions focused on top industry legislative and regulatory issues, including food labeling requirements and potential regulations on sugar and salt in food products. The well attended meeting underscores the importance of Ohio’s food manufacturing industry, which provides jobs for 58,400 Ohioans. Derek Crawford, Corporate & Government Affairs, The Kraft Heinz Company, chaired the forum.
The OMA Government Affairs committee heard, among a variety of legislative updates, an Ohio election presentation from Ohio House Republicans, Michael Dittoe and Kenny Street, as well as Matt Carle, Executive Director of New Day for America, John Kasich’s Super PAC.
All members are welcome to join the OMA Government Affairs Committee. Subscribe to your communities of interest here.
Rep. Brown Steps Down
June 17, 2016Rep. Tim Brown (R-Bowling Green) will resign his House seat next month to take a new job as president of the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments. House Republicans will have the opportunity to appoint his successor in the 3rd House District seat.
Finish the Job on Export-Import Bank
June 17, 2016In this commentary, Ryan Augsburger, vice president and managing director, OMA Public Policy Services, explains the role and function of the Export-Import Bank, how it’s hung up by Congress, and what needs to happen next for the agency to resume assisting Ohio manufacturers.
Ohio’s Interactive Budget
June 10, 2016The state Office of Budget and Management has just unveiled a cool new website, “Ohio’s Interactive Budget.”
The site provides data on how the state generates the revenue, how it budgets it, and how it spends it. So, now, you can see how the state will be spending $142 billion during this biennial budget, in detail.
Congratulations to budget director Tim Keen, who had the vision for this service.
We Make Voting Easy!
June 10, 2016With TurboVote, we make sure you always know when elections are happening, and have the information you need to vote with confidence. Sign up to receive election reminders, get registered to vote, & apply for your absentee ballot!
Imagine a world in which all 12 million U.S. manufacturing workers vote!
Ohio’s Fiscal Health Strong
June 10, 2016A new report, “Ranking States’ Fiscal Health,” puts Ohio as 11th best among the states in fiscal health.
The Mercatus Center of George Mason University reviewed audited financial reports for fiscal 2014 for all 50 states and Puerto Rico. It evaluated the reports on five metrics: cash solvency, budget solvency, long-run solvency, service-level solvency and trust fund solvency.
Alaska, Nebraska, Wyoming and both Dakotas were the top five states. Puerto Rico, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Illinois and Kentucky were the stinkers.
NAM Builds “Trade Toolkit”
June 10, 2016The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has developed a “Trade Toolkit” website. The site is for use by manufacturers in their trade advocacy.
Writes NAM: “To grow manufacturing and expand our global competitiveness, manufacturers are increasingly seizing new opportunities for trade. A more robust trade policy that opens markets, prioritizes enforcement and improves the competitiveness of manufacturers in America will help America win a bigger share of global manufacturing trade, creating new opportunities, growth and investment in local communities and the American workforce.”