Leadership

The United States and the European Union this week reached a trade agreement, establishing a 15% tariff on most EU imports into the U.S., averting the threat of a larger trade war. The deal maintains existing 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum but creates zero-tariff provisions for key sectors, including aircraft and parts, select chemicals, semiconductors, agricultural goods, and critical raw materials.

In exchange, the EU agreed to purchase up to $750 billion in U.S. energy over three years, invest $600 billion in U.S. markets, and explore additional purchases of U.S. military equipment.

President Donald Trump hailed the deal as a major victory for U.S. businesses, while European leaders welcomed the predictability it brings to trade relations. Critics, however, warned that the framework could face challenges if EU commitments falter or political opposition grows, raising concerns over the agreement’s long-term stability. 7/27/2025

Axios this week reported that Ohio’s former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown has held another meeting in Columbus with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, allegedly recruiting the veteran Democrat standard bearer to challenge Republican U.S. Senator Jon Husted in the 2026 General Election.

Brown has also been considering running for Ohio Governor in 2026, potentially challenging Republican entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Be sure to register (opening soon!) for the September 30 OMA Government Affairs Committee to get the latest scoop on election matches. 7/27/2025

The Trump administration recently unveiled a new AI Action Plan, emphasizing rapid deployment of data centers and energy infrastructure to support artificial intelligence expansion.

The plan calls for sweeping deregulation, including expedited permitting for data centers and related energy projects, aiming to bypass environmental reviews under NEPA and other statutes. It directs officials to prevent the “premature decommissioning” of critical power generation assets and to prioritize “dispatchable, reliable” resources like coal, nuclear, geothermal, and exploration of fusion to ensure grid stability.

The plan also proposes modernizing transmission systems and leveraging backup power to boost grid reliability during peak AI demands. The nineteen‑page policy projections include reforming permitting processes and aligning market incentives to enhance reliability amid escalating power consumption needs linked to AI growth.

OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has published an analysis of the plan and the top ten takeaways for employers. 7/28/2025

Vice President J.D. Vance returned to his home state this week, touting the Republican “One Big, Beautiful Bill” as a win for working‑class Americans.

Speaking to steelworkers at Metallus in Canton, Vance highlighted key provisions including no taxes on tips and overtime pay and incentives for domestic investment. He argued that the law will boost take‑home pay by thousands of dollars and reward companies that expand in the U.S.

This is Vance’s second official visit to his home state since taking office, with the vice-president keynoting a Republican dinner in Lima earlier last month. 7/28/2025

This week, the Ohio House voted to override Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of a budget measure that bans school districts and local governments from placing replacement and emergency levies on the ballot.

The 61-28 vote, supported solely by Republicans, bans school districts and local governments from using replacement or emergency levies.

The House opted not to vote on two other property tax measures rejected by DeWine.

One would allow county budget commissions to reduce voter-approved levies if they decide tax collections are excessive or unnecessary, and the other would change the calculation for the 20-mill floor, which ensures school districts receive a certain level of funding.

Senate President Rob McColley said via a social media post on X that the Ohio Senate has the votes to concur with the House override but did not say when the vote will take place.7/21/2025

Ohio surged to 5th place in CNBC’s 2025 “America’s Top States for Business,” climbing from 7th in 2024—its best showing since the rankings began in 2007. The state clinched the No. 1 spot for infrastructure and ranked No. 2 for cost of doing business and No. 7 for cost of living.

Strong infrastructure—powered by Ohio’s extensive highway, rail, and warehousing networks—combined with a business-friendly tax environment (no corporate income tax and an expanded commercial activity tax exclusion) helped fuel the rise.

The state also improved in technology and innovation (now No. 6), benefited from an AAA credit rating, and boasts the nation’s third-largest manufacturing workforce.

Governor Mike DeWine lauded Ohio’s low taxes, reduced regulatory red tape, and strategic investments, while JobsOhio cemented its reputation by winning major projects, including launches by Anduril, Kimberly‑Clark, Amgen, and Meta—adding billions in capital investment and thousands of jobs.

The state’s rise reflects a fast‑growing economic hub anchored by infrastructure, affordability, and business momentum. 7/11/2025

With Ohio’s 2026 gubernatorial primary nearly a full year away, Vivek Ramaswamy has quickly emerged as a financial powerhouse, raising more than $8.5 million since launching his campaign in February. The haul far surpasses early fundraising by previous candidates, including Gov. Mike DeWine’s $3 million during the same period in 2021. Ramaswamy has also loaned his campaign $2 million and maintains nearly $7 million on hand. With Attorney General Dave Yost exiting the race in May, Ramaswamy currently faces no serious GOP challengers and has begun building a formidable statewide campaign operation.

Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, appointed to the seat vacated by J.D. Vance after his election as vice president, reported holding $2.65 million in campaign cash at the end of June. Though Husted has yet to formally launch a 2026 campaign, no other Republicans have entered the race, and he remains the clear frontrunner for the party’s nomination. Both Ramaswamy and Husted benefit from early financial dominance in fields that remain relatively open, positioning them strongly ahead of what are expected to be high-stakes statewide contests. 7/15/2025

Ohio lawmakers will reconvene on July 21 in a rare summer session to consider overriding three of Gov. Mike DeWine’s four line-item vetoes from the state’s $60 billion budget, all tied to property-tax reforms. The targeted vetoes include provisions to empower county budget commissions to reduce voter-approved levies, require emergency levies to be counted toward the 20-mill floor, and block replacement levies.

Legislative leaders say they have the three-fifths majority needed to override those. However, DeWine’s veto capping districts’ reserve funds at 40% won’t be addressed in this July vote due to its significant budget impact and potential disruption for schools.7/8/2025

JobsOhio has approved a $310 million grant to defense contractor Anduril Industries to build “Arsenal 1,” a 5 million‑sq‑ft advanced manufacturing facility near Rickenbacker Airport in Pickaway County. Scheduled to open in July 2026, the plant is projected to create 4,008 jobs and generate more than $530 million in annual payroll over the next decade.

The 30‑year agreement also requires Anduril to invest at least $910.5 million in capital improvements and maintain its commitments for two decades. “Arsenal 1” will specialize in producing military drones and autonomous aerial vehicles, bolstering Ohio’s emerging “silicon corridor” alongside other high-tech investments such as Intel’s chip plant and eVTOL battery production facilities.

This represents the largest single Ohio state grant to date and highlights the state’s strategy of leveraging targeted incentives—including tax credits and development funds—to attract major defense and aerospace projects. 7/9/2025

This week, Gov. Mike DeWine signed Ohio’s $60 billion biennial budget into law, which includes $600 million in funding for a proposed domed Cleveland Browns stadium in Brook Park, using unclaimed state funds.

Highlights Include:

• The OMA successfully advocated against a proposed expansion of utility regulation that would have held energy customers captive to pay for additional infrastructure costs for services they might never use
• The requirement of an audit conducted by the Auditor of State of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, increasing transparency of the regulatory body
• A phased move to a 2.75% flat income tax, delivering over $1 billion in expected tax relief
• OMA language directing Ohio EPA to remove the Air Nuisance Rule from the state’s federal air compliance plan, protecting manufacturers from abusive litigation

DeWine also issued 67 line-item vetoes, including several major provisions aimed at curbing property tax growth, including proposals to cap school district cash reserves at 40% and granting county officials authority to lower property tax rates without another vote. He also struck down a ban on replacement levies, which critics argue obscure long-term tax impacts.

DeWine defended the vetoes as necessary to protect school funding and avoid destabilizing local revenue, warning that the reforms could force districts to return to voters more frequently.

Legislative leaders have indicated they may seek to override some vetoes when lawmakers return from summer recess, which would require a three-fifths vote in both chambers of the General Assembly.

For more information, the OMA Public Policy team has created a detailed analysis of Ohio’s budget. 7/2/2025

Ohio manufacturers this week scored key wins in the state’s recently approved two-year budget.

The OMA commended the budget as financially responsible and celebrated these wins, including the removal of more utility giveaways, increased oversight of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), and several key workforce initiatives.

Highlights include:

• The OMA secured a win for manufacturers by ensuring a provision was removed that would have left customers on the hook to subsidize electric utilities for infrastructure they may never have used or benefited from
• The Auditor of State will now be required to conduct a performance audit of the PUCO, including the Ohio Power Siting Board
• Approximately $25 million per fiscal year for TechCred, continuing support for upskilling Ohio’s workforce in tech-focused credentials
• Expansion of middle school career-technical education to over 200 additional school districts by eliminating the current waiver allowing districts to opt out of offering career tech in middle grades

Read more about provisions in the state budget in the Environment and Tax & Finance sections below. 6/23/2025

Canada this week signaled it could increase tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum as early as July 21 if a new trade agreement isn’t reached within a 30-day window from talks between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Trump.

In response to Trump’s doubling of U.S. metal tariffs to 50%, Ottawa is considering raising its own tariffs beyond the current 25% and is implementing procurement rules favoring Canadian or tariff‑free metals.

These defense measures also include tariff‑rate quotas and mandates to use Canadian metals in federal projects. 6/23/2025

Ohio’s House Democrats have chosen Rep. Dani Isaacsohn (D‑Cincinnati) to lead their caucus, following Minority Leader Allison Russo’s decision to step down earlier this month.

The 36-year-old attorney and federal campaign operative becomes the first Cincinnati-based Ohio House minority leader in over 50 years.

He’s joined in caucus leadership by Rep. Phillip Robinson Jr. as Assistant Leader, Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio as Minority Whip, and Rep. Desiree Tims as Assistant Whip. 6/24/2025

This week, the OMA Board of Directors elected Scott Corbitt, Regional Vice President at Anheuser-Busch, as chairman of the board. Corbitt previously served as chair of the OMA’s Government Affairs Committee.

Corbitt succeeds Jeff Oravitz, CEO of Seal for Life Industries, who was elected in 2023. Under Oravitz, the OMA saw remarkable growth and success, elevating the association’s influence, events, and initiatives. Thank you, Jeff, for your leadership, service, and dedication to the OMA and Ohio manufacturing! 6/17/2025

The OMA Board of Directors held its Q2 meeting this week, discussing key OMA priorities and advocacy efforts, receiving updates from staff, and meeting with several key state officials.

The board also voted in a new class of officers, including Scott Corbitt as chairman, Brad Belden, President and COO of the Belden Brick Company, as first vice chairman, and Ross McGregor, CEO of Pentaflex, Dale Foerster, Vice President of Starr Manufacturing, and Angela Phillips, CEO of Phillips Tube Group, elected as vice chairmen.

Ohio Auditor and Attorney General candidate Keith Faber joined the board, speaking on the actions his office has taken over the last eight years to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in Ohio, and sharing best practices for preventing and stopping fraud.

Prior to the meeting, the board also met with Director Steve Dackin from the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce and Chancellor Mike Duffey from the Ohio Department of Higher Education to discuss career pathways into manufacturing. 6/17/2025

Ohio manufacturers and OMA board members this week hosted a luncheon in Columbus featuring Senate President Rob McColley.

McColley, who took questions from the crowd, spoke on the operating budget deliberations currently happening, including funding for the new Cleveland Browns stadium, school funding, and recent energy legislation that is critical for Ohio’s manufacturing success. 6/17/2025

State Sen. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) has become the first Ohio Democrat to publicly consider a bid for the U.S. Senate seat opening in 2026. Weinstein confirmed he’s exploring a campaign and gauging support, though he hasn’t officially entered the race.

The seat will be on the ballot following Gov. Mike DeWine’s appointment of then-Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to replace Vice President J.D. Vance, who resigned in January. The special election is set for November 2026.

Weinstein, an Air Force veteran, noted that he will wait to see what Brown does before making a decision. 6/17/2025

President Donald Trump’s administration is renegotiating semiconductor funding agreements awarded under the CHIPS and Science Act.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told senators June 4 that some Biden-era deals were “overly generous” and are being revised to better protect taxpayers. Lutnick said only flawed agreements would be canceled, but that the administration is reevaluating all grant terms to ensure a stronger return on investment.

The CHIPS Act, passed in 2022, set aside $52.7 billion to revitalize U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and research, backing firms like Intel, TSMC, and Samsung. Lutnick also reaffirmed the administration’s goal to keep more than 50% of global AI chip capacity in the U.S., amid concerns over exports to countries like the UAE. 6/10/2025

This week, the OMA supported Senate Bill 157, which has been proposed to reduce Ohio’s statute of limitations on contracts. This bill would reduce Ohio’s statute of limitations for written contract actions from six years to three years after the cause of action accrued.

Additionally, the bill would reduce the statute of limitations for contracts not in writing from four years to two years. Senate Bill 157 promotes timely resolution of disputes for contract actions and helps businesses operate with greater certainty and efficiency.

The Ohio Alliance for Civil Justice also supported the bill, noting that it allows Ohio to catch up with several other states that have implemented similar reforms. 6/10/2025

This week, the OMA Government Affairs Committee held its second meeting of the year, featuring Ohio Governor candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

Committee members heard Mr. Ramaswamy’s plan for the state under his leadership, including cutting back on red tape regulations and enhancing Ohio’s workforce development.

OMA staff and counsel also updated the committee on the state operating budget, recent legislation passed to protect competitive energy markets, and potential ballot initiatives to abolish property tax and raise the threshold for constitutional amendments. 6/5/2025