Leadership

Are You Registered for OMA ‘Food Day’?

This year’s OMA Food and Beverage Manufacturers’ Policy Council is set for Wednesday, Dec. 9. This event will provide key legislative and regulatory updates for Ohio’s food and beverage manufacturers. There is no charge to attend, but the event is open to food and beverage manufacturers only. If you haven’t already, register here — or contact the OMA via email or at (800) 662-4463. 11/23/2020

Manufacturing Sees Gains in Activity, Jobs

Last month, U.S. manufacturing activity reached its best mark in more than two years. October was the sixth consecutive month of manufacturing growth, according to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), as new orders surged to a 16-year high.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Ohio had approximately 662,800 manufacturing jobs as of September. That’s a 5.3% drop compared to September 2019 when Ohio had more than 700,000 manufacturing positions, but it’s an increase of nearly 60,000 jobs from April 2020. 11/18/2020

House GOP Votes to Retain Cupp as Speaker

An informal vote this week by incoming Ohio House Republicans has ensured that Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) will retain the chamber’s top leadership position. House Republicans also voted to on the majority leadership team, which will be as follows:

• Rep. Tim Ginter (R-Salem), speaker pro tempore;
• Rep. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati), majority floor leader;
• Rep. Rick Carfagna (R-Genoa Twp.), assistant majority floor leader;
• Rep. Don Jones (R-Freeport), majority whip; and
• Rep. Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison), assistant majority whip.

Gongwer News Service reported that the speaker has said he wants to empower committee chairs in driving the chamber’s agenda, while continuing to work to restore public trust in the institution in the wake of the ongoing House Bill 6 scandal.

A formal vote on House leadership will take place on Jan. 4, the opening day of the 134th General Assembly. House Democrats have yet to schedule their leadership vote. 11/18/2020

On-Demand Webinar: Complying With the USMCA

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has been in effect since last July, but enforcement activity is expected to increase next year. Is your business ready? OMA Connections Partner Plante Moran offers this free, on-demand webinar to address USMCA compliance and how it differs from NAFTA. It features Jeanna Adams of OMA member Chromaflo Technologies Corp., Ashtabula, who provides a manufacturer’s perspective of managing the transition. 11/16/2020

Nationally, GOP Maintains Advantage in State Government

While Republicans have apparently lost the federal government’s executive branch — and control of the U.S. Senate is up in the air for now — the GOP continues to hold a strong majority of state government positions across the country. Prior to Nov. 3, Republicans held 59 of the 98 chambers (more than 60%), including the Ohio Senate and House. Republicans largely maintained or increased their advantage in this month’s election.

Come January, the GOP will claim trifectas (controlling both legislative chambers and the governor’s office) in 22 states — including in Ohio — compared to 15 for Democrats, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. This is especially noteworthy since legislative district lines for state and federal races will be redrawn in 2021 following this year’s census. 11/18/2020

OMA Marks 110 Years of Protecting Ohio Manufacturing

This week, on Nov. 10, the OMA celebrated 110 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 entrepreneurs — responding to an invitation from Colonel J.G. Battelle — gathered to form an association of Ohio manufacturers. These visionaries adopted a constitution “to promote the general welfare of productive industries” and to “keep prominently before the public the importance of such industries for the general prosperity of the State.”

Here’s to all OMA members and supporters for driving the mission through the years and boosting Ohio’s industrial strength. 11/10/2020

Site Selection: Ohio No. 3 for Business Climate

Ohio has the nation’s third-best business climate, according to Site Selection Magazine‘s 2020 rankings. The rankings are based on surveys of corporate executives and site selectors, as well as on an index of new project counts and other criteria.

The Buckeye State was No. 1 in the category of 2019 projects per capita, No 2. in 2019 projects overall, and No. 4 in 2020 year-to-date projects and projects per capita. 11/11/2020

OMA Government Affairs Committee Reviews Election Results

The OMA Government Affairs Committee met virtually this week for its final quarterly meeting of 2020. Members were briefed on the latest Statehouse activity in the areas of energy, environment, human resources, safety and workers’ compensation, and taxes.

The meeting included a review of last week’s election results, as well as an update from biopharmaceutical manufacturers on their efforts to develop COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Guest speaker Rep. Mark Romanchuk (R-Mansfield) briefed members on his efforts to pass House Bill 772, legislation to repeal and reform harmful provisions of House Bill 6, the state’s nuclear subsidy law.

The OMA will soon be setting the 2021 meeting dates for all policy committees. Stay tuned. 11/11/2020

Huffman to Lead Ohio Senate in 2021

This week, the Ohio Senate’s majority Republican Caucus unanimously elected Sen. Matt Huffman of Lima as the body’s next president. Huffman will replace term-limited Sen. Larry Obhof (R-Medina) in early 2021.

The Senate majority caucus also announced that Sen. Jay Hottinger of Newark will serve as president pro tem; Sen. Kirk Schuring of Canton will serve as majority floor leader and Sen. Rob McColley of Napoleon will serve as majority whip.

Selected by senators who will serve in the upcoming 134th General Assembly, the leadership team will be formally seated when the Senate convenes Jan. 4. Republicans will hold a 25-8 majority if incumbent Sen. Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard) maintains her slim lead over Democrat Crystal Lett. 11/9/2020

Cupp Expected to Retain Speakership in Ohio House

Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) appears to have an easy path to re-election as the House’s top leader in the upcoming 134th General Assembly after Majority Floor Leader Rep. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) this week announced his endorsement of Speaker Cupp for the office. Seitz had been frequently mentioned as a possible speaker candidate.

According to Gongwer News Service, incoming House Republicans are expected to informally re-elect Speaker Cupp during an informal caucus meeting Wednesday, Nov. 18. The House GOP is expected to carry a record 64-35 advantage in the next session, up from the current 61-38 margin. 11/11/2020