Leadership

Ohio Alliance for Civil Justice Testifies on Whistleblower Bill

This week, the Ohio Alliance for Civil Justice — which the OMA helped establish — testified against House Bill 238, legislation to revise the state’s whistleblower statutes.

In its testimony, the Alliance shared its broad concerns with House members. The Alliance noted that it could only support changes to the law if the changes: (1.) were fair to employers and employees; (2.) did not impose undue burdens on employers who have not engaged in egregious or criminal conduct, and (3.) were clear and unambiguous on their face.

The bill is expected to be amended in future hearings. 11/14/2019

Is Your Business Cybersecurity Prepared?

Manufacturing is one of the industries most susceptible to cyberattacks. OMA Connections Partner Clark Schaefer Hackett has published this checklist for executives to help them defend against cyber threats. Also, take CSH’s two-minute quiz to receive a personalized report to help you address your company’s areas of weakness.

Also, if you missed this week’s informative cybersecurity webinar with subject-matter expertise from OMA Connections Partner GBQ Partners, it is available here. 11/14/2019

Mark Fraizer Fills Vacant House Seat

This week, Ohio House Republicans chose Mark Fraizer (R-Newark) to fill a vacancy in the 71^st District. The move comes after State Rep. Scott Ryan (R-Granville Township) announced last week he was resigning to become executive director of Ohio Third Frontier, which works to boost tech startups. Fraizer, a member of Newark City Council, has worked in the banking sector since 2011, and is a senior project manager in information technology at Huntington National Bank. 11/14/2019

Take Part in Statewide Manufacturing Survey

The Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Ohio MEP) is conducting its annual manufacturing survey — and your business is encouraged to participate by Dec. 15. By doing so, you’ll help shape the offerings and services of Ohio’s manufacturing support organizations. Responses are confidential; the survey cannot link responses to specific companies.

Results will be released in February. Participants will receive their choice of one of 12 business books. Also, a $5 donation will be made to Harvest for Hunger for every response. 11/13/2019

The OMA Turns 109 Years Old

This Sunday, the OMA will mark 109 years of protecting and growing Ohio’s manufacturing sector.

It all started at 2 p.m. on Nov. 10, 1910, at the Chittenden Hotel in Columbus. That’s when 17 prominent Ohio entrepreneurs — responding to a letter of invitation from Colonel J.G. Battelle — gathered to form an association of manufacturers. These visionaries adopted a constitution based on a mission “to promote the general welfare of productive industries in the State of Ohio” — “to keep prominently before the public the importance of such industries for the general prosperity of the State.”

We want to recognize all OMA members and supporters for driving our mission through the years to the benefit of Ohio’s industrial power. 11/7/2019

State Rep. Ryan Resigns

State Rep. Scott Ryan (R-Granville Township) announced this week that he will resign from the Ohio House to become executive director of Ohio Third Frontier, a state initiative housed inside the Development Services Agency that works to boost tech startups. Rep. Ryan’s resignation is effective Tuesday, Nov. 12. The House Republican Caucus will appoint a successor. 11/7/2019

All Committee Hearings to be Broadcast in 2020

Starting in January 2020, all committee hearings of the Ohio General Assembly will be able to be seen remotely on a TV, smartphone or computer.

The Ohio Channel already broadcasts all House hearings, as well as hearings held by five of the Senate’s standing committees. The Senate will add the remaining nine committees to its broadcast lineup. 11/4/2019

OMA Government Affairs Committee Meets Wednesday

The OMA Government Affairs Committee will hold its quarterly meeting this Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the OMA offices, with lunch included. Some of the agenda items include:

• The latest on the HB 6 energy saga;
• Manufacturers’ legislative priorities heading into 2020;
• Insights into the latest attempt by plaintiffs’ attorneys to deform Ohio’s legal climate; and
• A round table discussion on campaigns and politics ahead of the coming election year.

Register here or call us at (800) 662-4463. A call-in option is available. 11/6/2019

Important U.S.-China Trade Developments

OMA Connections Partner Dinsmore reports on the latest developments stemming from the U.S.-China trade dispute, including an announcement from the U.S. Trade Representative’s office on the exclusion process for Chinese imports subject to List 4A Section 301 tariffs. Read more analysis here. 11/4/2019

USMCA Day of Action is Nov. 13

More than 100,000 Ohio manufacturing jobs depend on exports to Canada and Mexico. So there’s much at stake in the effort to ratify the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which would modernize and improve the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement. The USMCA was signed almost a year ago, but the U.S. House of Representatives has yet to hold a formal vote to ratify it.

The National Association of Manufacturers has declared Nov. 13 the USMCA Day of Action, noting there are two million U.S. manufacturing jobs at risk if the agreement is not ratified. With just a handful of days remaining in the 2019 session, let your federal representative know you support a vote on the USMCA yet this year. 11/7/2019