During the past several weeks, thousands of students graduated from Ohio’s high schools and colleges. Many of those leaving high school will move on to receive higher education at universities, community colleges and technical schools. College students, for the most part, are now looking at moving into the working world, hopefully with faith that the skills they have attained during their years of schooling has prepared them for the jobs market.

Needless to say, this is not always the most comfortable time in a person’s life. The uncertainty about the future that often accompanies recent college graduates causes a great deal of anxiety. It should be the goal of government to promote the opportunities that exist in our state with the mission of keeping young people inside Ohio’s borders.

Throughout the 129th General Assembly, the Ohio House has actively advanced legislation to make our state more appealing to young people. One lesson that everyone learns shortly after leaving school—some learn it even before leaving—is that everything costs money. I believe government should do all that it can to run efficiently while keeping as much as possible in the pockets of those who have earned it.

 A major part of this effort was in the elimination of the estate tax in last year’s budget. A majority of states now do not collect an estate tax, which previously put Ohio in a difficult position when it came to keeping people of all ages inside the state. By eliminating the “death tax,” citizens will be encouraged to keep their investments inside Ohio and will better allow them to fulfill their dreams after retirement.

Unwieldy regulations on businesses can also have an adverse effect on young people finding employment because those businesses must first cover the cost of complying with red tape. The Common Sense Initiative, or CSI, will help to alleviate the strain that some regulations can have on small companies. The CSI is essentially a watchdog on government, a panel that will look at the impact that some restrictions has on businesses and whether they are actually necessary or beneficial. Businesses should be focused on using their capital to hire workers, not dealing with government.

Finally, I believe it is ideal that the transition between college and the workplace should be a fluid process. In other words, the more preparation students can receive while still in school, the better they will be when seeking and performing jobs. A great deal of attention has been given this General Assembly to workforce development, part of which includes creating a stronger link between technical schools or community colleges and businesses. This will help provide necessary training that is actually relevant to young people looking for work. It does not make sense for business needs and colleges courses not to correspond to each other’s needs.

I would like to congratulate all recent graduates and wish them the best of luck as they enter into the next chapter of their lives. Regardless of where their career aspirations lead them, I hope they will consider Ohio.