Leadership

ODOT Chief Briefs Lawmakers on Budget

Under Gov. Mike DeWine’s budget, Ohio’s FY 2024-2025 transportation spending would grow 25% compared to the current levels, with much of the extra funding coming from the federal infrastructure law. About $2.2 billion would go towards pavement, $717 million for bridges, $360 million for safety upgrades, and $579 million for larger projects like reconfiguring urban interstates.

The budget also includes smaller amounts for things like public transit, electric vehicle infrastructure, and drone development.

Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jack Marchbanks this week told the House lawmakers the cost of road and bridge-building materials soared 11.4% last year. (Read Hannah News Service’s story on Marchbanks’ testimony.) He also briefed lawmakers on ODOT’s effort to gather public input on alternatives to the state’s fuel tax. 2/8/2023

Webinar: 2023 Outlook for Manufacturers

On Feb. 15, OMA Connections Partner HBK will host a complimentary webinar to provide its manufacturing outlook for 2023. This event will identify external factors affecting manufacturers; address current economic conditions; and define steps manufacturers should take now. Learn more and register. 2/6/2023

DeWine Highlights Second-Term Priorities, New Budget

On Jan. 31, Gov. Mike DeWine delivered his 2023 State of the State address, laying out his early priorities for his second term, including budget proposals.

Bricker & Eckler, the OMA’s general counsel, published this summary of the governor’s comments. Read the text of the speech or watch the full address.

Following the governor’s remarks, the OMA issued this press release, commending his proposals to invest in career-technical education, new innovation hubs, and infrastructure to attract new economic development. 1/31/2023

Ohio’s Budget Process Is Underway

During the first half of 2023, Ohio policymakers will devote much of their attention to writing the state’s FY2024-25 budget. Along with appropriating billions of dollars, the budget traditionally includes important policy changes.

The DeWine administration this week unveiled its spending plan. (Here are the budget highlights.) It includes $86.9 billion of General Revenue Fund appropriations over the next two years, with a heavy emphasis on education, children and families, and mental health initiatives.

This infographic provides an overview of recent state spending and revenue sources, while this primer details Ohio’s budget-writing process.

Over the next few months, the House and Senate will make their changes to the budget, which must be signed by June 30 to take effect July 1, the start of the fiscal year. 2/1/2023

House Committees Rosters Finalized

Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) has released committee assignments for GOP members following the Democrats’ release of assignments last week. See the roster for each House committee.

Here are the rosters for Senate committees, as announced in early January. 2/2/2023

Study: Ohio a Top State for Aerospace Manufacturing

Ohio is a leader in PwC’s recent aerospace manufacturing attractiveness rankings. The Buckeye State, which comes in No. 4 overall, is home to an aerospace and defense sector that encompasses some 550 companies employing about 37,000 people. Ohio leads all states in supplying systems and parts to both Airbus and Boeing. 2/1/2023

OMA Releases ‘2023 Ohio Manufacturing Counts’

The OMA has updated its “Ohio Manufacturing Counts” publication for 2023. Complete with the latest state and federal data, this document provides a comprehensive look at the economic impact of the manufacturing sector of Ohio — the nation’s third-largest manufacturing state. See the full publication. 1/30/23

Post-Pandemic Record for Ohio Manufacturing Jobs

In December, Ohio added the nation’s second-highest net total of new manufacturing jobs with 4,900. Only Texas (5,500) added more.

As of last month, Ohio was home to nearly 696,000 manufacturing jobs, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If the figure holds, it will be the highest jobs number since September 2019.

For calendar year 2022, Ohio was No. 5 for manufacturing employment growth with 22,800 new jobs, trailing Texas (49,000), California (35,000), Florida (27,400), and Pennsylvania (25,400). 1/26/2023

DeWine, Husted Announce Regulatory Reform Plan

Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted have announced their initiative to streamline the Ohio Administrative Code, which contains the rules adopted by state agencies. When complete, the plan aims to eliminate nearly one-third of the code by targeting duplicative provisions, outdated sections, and unnecessary requirements.

The OMA issued this press release applauding the governor and his team for their commitment to improving Ohio’s business climate. Last year, the OMA worked with legislative leaders to improve Senate Bill 9, legislation to reduce regulatory restrictions. The bill was passed and signed last spring. 1/26/2023

Ohio House Names Committee Chairs

Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) this week announced chairs of House committees, with Rep. Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville) chosen to lead the Finance Committee. Other notable appointments include Rep. Darrell Kick (R-Loudonville) for Energy and Natural Resources, as well as Rep. Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) as chair of Ways and Means. 1/23/2023