Leadership

One Incumbent Rep Gets Knocked Off

Only one incumbent state representative lost in Tuesday’s primary, Tony Burkley (R-Payne), in the Republican primary for the 82^nd House district.  Burkley lost to first time candidate Craig Riedel, who took 53.09% of the vote.

The 82^nd is composed of Defiance, Paulding, Van Wert and parts of Auglaize counties.  It has a Republican index of 64.0%.  It is Riedel’s race to lose. 

OMA Board Elects New Directors

At its meeting this week, the OMA board of directors elected two new directors.

Thomas Lause is Vice President, Treasurer for Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Findlay, Ohio.  Cooper Tire is a global manufacturer and marketer of replacement market tires.  Tom has had multiple roles with the company over more than 30 years, including VP of Finance, Global Operations Controller and Director of Finance, European Operations in Melksham, England.  He has a BA and an MBA from Bowling Green State University.  He is also a CPA (inactive).

Dale Laws is Vice President, Findlay Operations, Whirlpool Corporation, the largest dishwasher manufacturing facility in the world.  Dale has held a variety of Whirlpool manufacturing leadership roles including Plant Manager of Whirlpool’s KitchenAid small appliance plant in Greenville, Ohio and Operations Director at the Tulsa, OK freestanding range plan.  His BS is in aerospace engineering from Mississippi State University and he earned his MBA from the University of Alabama.

OMA chairman Bill Sopko, President, Wm. Sopko & Sons, Co., Inc., Cleveland, said, “The diversity of experience and talent on the OMA board of directors is key to enabling the OMA to fulfill its mission to protect and grow Ohio manufacturing.”

Vote Ohio! Vote Kasich!

Ohioans have a historic opportunity at the primary election polls on March 15.  The opportunity to send our sitting governor, John Kasich, to the Republican convention in Cleveland as our native son nominee.

Next Tuesday, Vote Ohio!  Vote Kasich!

Where You Can See Gov. Kasich in Ohio Before Tuesday Primary

Ahead of the Ohio presidential primary election on Tuesday, March 15, manufacturing voters have an opportunity to see our governor, John Kasich, at a number of “Battleground Ohio” rallies and town halls.

A Town Hall meeting will be held on Saturday, March 12 at Gorman-Rupp in Mansfield; doors open at 5:30 p.m.  See the details here.

Also on Saturday, March 12, a Town Hall meeting will be held at Xperion Energy & Environment in Heath; doors open at 1:00 p.m.  See the details here.

On Sunday, March 13, Gov. Kasich will hold a rally in Hanoverton at the Spread Eagle Tavern with special Guest, Jim Tressel; doors open at 5:30 p.m.  Details here.

Additionally on Sunday, March 13, Gov. Kasich plans a Town Hall meeting at the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center in Strongsville; doors open at 12:30 p.m.  More details.

And on Monday, March 14, Gov. Kasich has planned these three public events:

• Youngstown Town Hall at Brilex Industries with special guest Jim Tressel; doors open at 9:30 a.m.
• North Canton Town Hall at MAPS Air Museum; doors open at 1:30 p.m.
• Westerville Hometown Election Eve Rally at Westerville Central High School; doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Manufacturing voters make a difference!  Cast your vote in Ohio’s March 15 primary election!

Eaton’s Leader Says Debt Reduction Must be on Presidential To-do List

Cleveland Plain Dealer guest columnist Sandy Cutler, chairman and CEO of Eaton Corporation, went on the record regarding the need for the next president to place a high priority on fiscal management and tax reform.

He said, “The next president faces a dangerous fiscal picture. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, deficits will exceed $1 trillion by 2022, three years earlier than previous projections, and the debt will rise by more than $10 trillion over the next decade.”

“Our country is in desperate need of fundamental tax reform that simplifies the tax code, boosts economic growth, increases international competitiveness, and provides much-needed certainty that businesses need to plan ahead, invest, and create jobs. But that kind of pro-growth tax plan should be designed in a way that doesn’t add to the debt,” wrote the Eaton leader.

He urged voters to discern rhetoric from reality when considering for whom to vote.  Read Mr. Cutler’s column here.

UPS Services Keep Your Business Running Like a Well-Oiled Machine

It’s important to keep your operating costs down, but still get your products to customers efficiently.  UPS can help with a wide array of shipping options – from regional, interregional, long-haul, and international deliveries from UPS Freight, to day- and time-definite air, international, and ground services for your small packages and envelopes. Plus, make returns simple with UPS Returns® service, and streamline your ordering and accounting with UPS® shipping technology.

Best of all, you can save at least 75%* on freight over 150 lbs., up to 36%* on air, and up to 26%* on ground shipments with the UPS® Savings Program for OMA members. Plus, get 50%* off select services for up to four weeks after you enroll.*

To enroll and start saving, go here or call 1-800-MEMBERS (1-800-636-2377), M-F, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST.  3/4/2016

*Go here for specific services and discounts. Click here for details on Introductory Program discounts.

OMA Files Legal Challenge Regarding Drug Purchasing Initiated Statute

The OMA together with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) this week filed a legal challenge with the Ohio Supreme Court asking the Court to invalidate specific part-petitions submitted as part of a proposed initiated statute regarding drug pricing in Ohio.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has filed paperwork with the Ohio Secretary of State to place an initiated statute – the “Ohio Drug Price Relief Act ” – on the November general election ballot.  The measure attempts to require the state to pay no more for prescription drugs than is paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

In a media statement, attorney Kurt Tunnell, Managing Partner of the Bricker & Eckler law firm, which filed the action, said, “There is clear evidence that proponents broke the law to the point of signatures falling below the legal threshold of consideration.”

The California-based petitioners behind the proposal hired PCI Consultants, Inc., a Los Angeles-based company that offers petition management services nationwide. The legal challenge identifies four areas of Ohio law with which a number of petition circulators failed to comply, and alleges that the signatures collected by those circulators are invalid and should be stricken.

Here’s the related media statement.

Another Run at Legalizing Marijuana

A newly proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution released this week by the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), a Washington D.C.-based group, would allow Ohioans to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana with a physician’s approval to treat severe pain, muscle spasms, post-traumatic stress disorder and other specific outlined conditions.  MPP has played a major role in crafting legislation in most of the 23 states that have some sort of legalized marijuana.

The amendment also establishes two types of cultivation licenses, large-scale and small-scale, and licensing for individuals who want to start marijuana businesses for retail, manufacturing, distribution and/or testing.

Supporters of the amendment must submit 1,000 signatures and an amendment summary to the Ohio Attorney General.  If the Attorney General certifies the measure, the Ohio Ballot Board will decide if the proposed amendment is one or more ballot issues.  At that point, proponents could begin collecting the 305,591 signatures necessary to qualify for the November ballot.  Signatures are due by July 6 to qualify for the November election.

Opportunities for Manufacturers at RNC Convention

Members of the OMA Government Affairs Committee visited with former Ohio Speaker of the House Jo Ann Davidson this week to review the structure of the July RNC Convention in Cleveland.

Davidson is co-chair of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2016 RNC Convention in Cleveland.  She outlined opportunities for manufacturers to participate in the convention.  Offerings include Honorary Delegate and Honorary Delegate for a Day, as well as opportunities to serve on the RNC host committees.  More comprehensive corporate sponsorships are available to raise the visibility and profile of your company.

Contact OMA’s Ryan Augsburger to learn more.

JobsOhio Posts Record Jobs in 2015

JobsOhio, a private, non-profit corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio, released its 2015 Annual Report | 2016 Strategic Plan, reporting out a record-setting 330 projects that it worked on with its state, local and regional partners.  In all, the companies that JobsOhio worked with in 2015 committed to create 23,602 new jobs and invest $6.7 billion in new capital.

JobsOhio reported: “Growing target industries including Biohealth, Information Technology, and Advanced Manufacturing led employment gains in 2015.  Also, the report highlights impactful trends in Automotive, Logistics and Distribution, and Shale Energy and Petrochemicals leading more companies to select Ohio for expansion and investment.”

Download the full report to learn more about the 2015 record results, company success stories, financial statements, as well as target industries, and 2016 strategic goals.