February 27, 2012

Rep. Duffey Announces Job Training Grant for Ohio Workers

State Representative Mike Duffey (R-Worthington) has announced that the State Controlling Board has approved the release of $1 million for FY 2012 and $1.3 million for FY 2013 for FY 2013, which will be used for job training to enable workers to obtain skills needed to become employed in specialty occupations.

“Economic development and job growth is dependent on the knowledge and skills of workers,” said Rep. Duffey. “This Controlling Board approval allows Ohioans to enhance their talents and further their careers and their earning potential by partnering educational institutions and Ohio businesses. I am confident that this partnership will develop a successful workforce in central Ohio and across the state.”

According to documents from the Office of Budget and Management, the purpose of this grant is to support activities such as classroom training, on-the-job training, and internships specifically designed to provide eligible participants with the technical skills and competencies necessary to meet the needs of high-demand industries and Ohio employers, and to obtain employment in occupations that companies often fill with non-American workers under the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Program.

The grant program will subcontract with four educational institutions in Ohio—including Columbus State Community College—to implement these training and employment projects. Numerous Ohio employers are crucial to this program, including Cytec, Momentive Performance Products, Degussa Engineered Carbons, PPG, Dupont, Solvay, TechColumbus, Weaver Leather, Jackson Belden Chamber of Commerce, The Timken Co., Seifert Technologies Inc., Diebold Inc., and many others.

Eligible participants of this program must be either unemployed, underemployed or dislocated workers.

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January 30, 2012

Column from Rep. Nan Baker: Repurposing Resources to Accommodate Growing Businesses

We have had an encouraging year with a drop in the unemployment rate and successful results in the arena of job creation. We are moving in the right direction after a series of very financially difficult and unstable years. While the pain of the financial crisis is still able to be felt, the wound is beginning to heal for Ohio. The key to keeping job creation and economic recovery headed in the right direction is developing legislation that is both innovative and resourceful. It is in the spirit of innovation and resourcefulness that I introduced House Bill 18.

H.B. 18 is a bill that accommodates future growth by using resources that Ohio already has in its possession. In recent years, economic hardship has forced businesses both large and small to leave Ohio, abandoning their operating buildings in urban, suburban and rural settings. These buildings sit vacant in areas that are full of citizens that need jobs and are ready to work. Areas with high percentages of vacant properties are also areas that have high unemployment rates.

H.B. 18 gives an incentive to businesses that are out of space, adding new employees and need to relocate. The bill authorizes a $500 per-employee grant for a business that occupies a facility that has been vacant for 12 months, increases its payroll by hiring new employees, and employs either 50 employees or 50 percent of its Ohio employees at the vacant facility. A larger employer, for example, may have thousands of employees nationwide but would only have to locate 50 employees in an abandoned building. For smaller companies expanding their payrolls and needing a larger facility, such as a hair salon, hardware store or pizza parlor, 50 percent of their payroll would have to be added for this bill to take effect. For example, if a hair salon that has six employees needs to add three more hair stylists, this incentive would help pay for an extra three salon chairs or building repairs. Ten employees, perhaps a hardware store, would need to add at least five more employees to manage the added projected sales an expansion into a larger facility would bring. This incentive will give the business owner an incentive to stay in Ohio, or if out of state, come to Ohio and consider locating to a vacant building.

As these vacant buildings begin to be filled and provide jobs to local citizens it will make the local economy more enticing for other businesses to enter. H.B. 18 creates the opportunity to revitalize communities that are in desperate need of economic development. The bill creates an environment in which businesses are able to expand and new jobs are created in communities that are in great need. By occupying previously abandoned buildings, property values increase and therefore local governments and schools receive a higher return on property taxes.

As you can see, with House Bill 18 the benefits come full circle. This bill has the potential to revitalize communities and sets the tone for developing innovative legislative solutions to the task of job creation in the future. The economic multiplier of purchasing foreclosed homes, positive business growth, additional purchases, investment, more employee hires and returning blighted areas into safe neighborhoods – cites back to prosperity – is immeasurable.

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January 26, 2012

Rep. Mike Dovilla’s Jobs Summit Fills Ehrnfelt Center

State Representative Mike Dovilla (R–Berea) today hosted the 18th District Jobs Summit in Strongsville. Over 170 participants – including small business owners, representatives from the Fraternal Order of Police, Northern Ohio Fire Fighters, Cleveland Teachers Union, Sheet Metal Workers, Cement Masons, Pipe Fitters, local elected officials, and other interested stakeholders – gathered at the Walter F. Ehrnfelt Recreation and Senior Center.

“Each of us in this room has an important role in bringing prosperity back to our great state,” said Dovilla. “To see our economy in Ohio become strong once again, we must engage in common sense initiatives, working in concert with one another to develop real world solutions to real world problems.”

Since January 2011, the Ohio legislature has enacted numerous measures to reduce taxes and regulations, eliminate an $8 billion deficit, hold state government accountable, and strengthen public education. These actions have already resulted in the creation or retention of more than 82,000 jobs, compared to 400,000 lost jobs over the previous four year period.

“Ohioans are tired of the politics of class warfare that divide and distract from the development of sound public policy solutions,” stated Dovilla. “I was encouraged by the open dialogue on education and workforce development issues that we were able to facilitate for district residents from a wide variety of professional backgrounds. We all recognize the challenging issues confronting our great state. Only by listening to one another and working together will we be able to lead Ohio to a brighter future for all of our citizens.”

In the first year of his term, Representative Dovilla has introduced ten bills that focus on his policy priorities of creating jobs, strengthening public education, protecting senior citizens, and advocating for veterans. His legislation includes House Bill 144, which simplifies the process for small businesses to incorporate and locate important information on Ohio’s online small business portal; House Bill 258, which provides a tax credit for individuals obtaining a bachelor’s degree or attaining journeyman status in the construction and building trades; and House Bill 331, which creates the Cybersecurity, Education, and Economic Development Council to attract and retain jobs in the technology sector.

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January 20, 2012

Speaker Batchelder Releases Statement Regarding Ohio’s Unemployment

Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) today released the following statement regarding the announcement of the drop in Ohio’s unemployment to 8.1 percent:

“Eighteen months ago, Ohio was at a crossroads, facing over 10 percent unemployment for more than a full year, some of the highest Ohio had seen in decades. Today, it was announced that our state’s unemployment rate continued to drop and is now at 8.1 percent.

“As I have said before, House Republicans have been working every single day to ensure Ohio’s economy gets back on the right track and we are starting to show real, tangible signs of improvement. Job creation has always been our number-one priority and our work from this session is truly bearing fruit.

“Governor Kasich has shown a great willingness to think outside the box—starting with JobsOhio—and make the difficult but necessary decisions in order to ensure the long-term financial stability of our state. I applaud Governor Kasich for his leadership and for never losing sight of his vision of a new day for Ohio.”

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January 18, 2012

Rep. Ron Maag discusses the House's work to fix Ohio's economy in his legislative update

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January 17, 2012

House Republicans Outline Priorities, Initiatives for 2012

On the heels of a successful first half of the General Assembly that saw the passage of more than 90 bills that address issues from regulatory reform and the creation of JobsOhio to prescription drug abuse, Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) and members of the House Republican Caucus today unveiled their legislative priorities for 2012 at a press conference at the Ohio Statehouse.

“It was not too long ago that this state faced an $8 billion budget hole that was created when the former administration wrote short-term checks with disappearing ink,” said Speaker Batchelder. “In 2011, this caucus faced one of the greatest challenges ever put onto the plate of a legislature—deciding whether to fill an enormous deficit by either reducing state spending or by raising taxes on every family in Ohio. We defied the skeptics; we filled this deficit without raising taxes, we kept vital services intact and protected our state’s most vulnerable. The second half of the General Assembly will be focused on building upon this strong foundation that we have worked so hard for and bringing about a brighter, more prosperous Ohio in a number of ways.”

The priorities outlined by House Republicans include a close analysis, fact finding, and making recommendations for revising Ohio’s school funding formula, which in 1997 was deemed unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court. Despite the court ruling, Ohio’s school funding system has not undergone any transformative changes that have wholly fixed the root of the problem. To address this issue, House Republicans announced that they will initiate comprehensive, bipartisan hearings on both the funding formula and student achievement, which will be led by Representative Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster) throughout the duration of 2012.

“The goal of these discussions will be to figure out how we can make our schools and students more successful in a cost-efficient manner for Ohio’s taxpayers,” said Rep. Amstutz. “We want to create a new model of achievement and accountability that will benefit all of Ohio’s students and give those from disadvantaged geographic regions an equal chance to succeed. We will work diligently on legislation to incorporate the findings into practice and place Ohio’s schools back on track with an equitable and fair funding formula. The goal of any legislation implemented is to create an equitable funding formula and to develop a more accurate measure of success and achievement for our students.”

The House Republican Caucus also laid out a proposal to implement the recommendations of the JobsOhio report through the creation of the Development Services Agency. The proposal will complete the transition to a lean, streamlined public/private partnership free of the cumbersome bureaucracy that characterized Ohio’s economic efforts in the past. Additionally, the caucus discussed strategies for implementing the findings of the Ohio Workforce Development Study Committee, specifically focusing on helping career tech schools and community colleges to prepare a ready workforce, as well as training Ohioans for imminent shale and energy jobs.

“We continue to strive to get unemployment down, help Ohioans find work, and create new opportunities for Ohio well into the future,” said Speaker Batchelder. “We have maintained a focus on jobs throughout 2011—from passing several tax credits to encourage economic investment and job retention, to exploring our energy potential that could create hundreds of thousands of jobs— and Ohioans can expect that we will continue this focus into 2012 and beyond.”

The caucus has also revealed plans to reform the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, building upon existing reforms to go further in assisting injured workers while identifying other cost-saving possibilities.

Other legislative items that the House Republican Caucus intends to address include:
• The Great Lakes Compact
• Casino and gaming laws
• Healthcare exchange
• Laws pertaining to exotic animals

“We have tackled the issues that are most important to the people of this state, and we will continue to do so for as long as we have the privilege of leading this House,” said Speaker Batchelder. “There is much time and energy that we must be prepared to invest in order to revive the state of Ohio, and we are ready to do the work necessary in order to breathe new life into this state and be able to compete nationally. We’ve come a long way, but we have much, much farther to go—we are just getting started.”

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January 11, 2012

Representative Dovilla to Host Jobs Summit to Focus on Job Creation

State Representative Mike Dovilla (R–Berea) today announced he will be hosting the 18th District Jobs Summit in Strongsville on Thursday, January 26, 2012. Invited participants include small business owners, public employee union representatives, members of the construction and building trades, local elected officials, and other interested stakeholders.

“My top priority in the Ohio legislature is creating an environment that will allow businesses to flourish and create jobs,” said Dovilla. “To see our economy become strong once again, we must ensure the more than 3,000 small businesses throughout the 18th District have the tools they need to engage in the robust economic development that will return Ohio to prosperity. Our Jobs Summit will identify actions we can pursue to make Ohio more competitive and place the state back on a path to prosperity.”

Since January 2011, the Ohio legislature has enacted numerous measures to reduce taxes and regulations, eliminate an $8 billion deficit, hold state government accountable, and strengthen public education. These actions have already resulted in the creation or retention of more than 82,000 jobs, compared to 400,000 lost jobs over the previous four year period.

“I believe Ohioans are tired of partisan bickering and the ‘blame game’ that pits citizens and sectors of our economy against one another,” stated Dovilla. “Good public policy is produced by elected officials who are fully accountable to their constituents. We must engage in common sense initiatives, working in concert with one another to develop real world solutions to real world problems. As a solution-oriented listener, I am committed to working with everyone who wishes to have a productive, results-driven conversation about how we can all work together to create jobs and build a bright future for Ohio.”

In the first year of his term, Representative Dovilla has introduced ten bills that focus on his policy priorities of creating jobs, strengthening public education, protecting senior citizens, and advocating for veterans. His legislation includes House Bill 144, which simplifies the process for small businesses to incorporate and locate important information on Ohio’s online small business portal; House Bill 258, which provides a tax credit for individuals obtaining a bachelor’s degree or attaining journeyman status in the construction and building trades; and House Bill 331, which creates the Cybersecurity, Education, and Economic Development Council to attract and retain jobs in the technology sector.

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December 21, 2011

Rep. Young joins Gov. Kasich in announcing creation of 75 jobs at STERIS

The News-Herald, Dec. 21

Gov. John Kasich appeared Tuesday at STERIS Corp. in Mentor to help the company announce plans for a new fabrication center that will create 75 new manufacturing and engineering jobs.

Kasich said the effort is part of his JobsOhio initiative, which is a private, nonprofit corporation designed to lead the state’s job-creation efforts to attract and retain jobs.

Read more and view the video at the following link:
http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2011/12/21/news/doc4ef0d577066c7781005046.txt

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December 20, 2011

Column from Rep. Andy Thompson: Ohio’s Economic Progress in 2011

With the first year of the 129th General Assembly nearly in the book, it's an ideal time to recap what has happened thus far. A lot of progress and positive changes have been made in Ohio on the job creation front, and the same kind of effort must be made next year to continue that trend.

With a state unemployment rate having hovered above 9%, it is obvious that getting people back to work must be our first prerogative. From the time the House first convened in January to our sessions held just last week, the legislature has worked hard to seek innovative ways to stimulate job creation in Ohio. We just received word that, during the month of November, Ohio had its biggest decrease in unemployment in 30 years. Apparently Ohio's efforts are starting to bear fruit.

The first bill passed out of the House (HB 1) created JobsOhio, a non-profit panel of experienced private business experts to look for ways to make Ohio more economically competitive. They work with businesses that are interested in coming to the state and express to them all that our state has to offer. We have seen increased interest by businesses looking to relocate from another state and create jobs, and we've done a better job of retaining those businesses that might have left, including Edgetech, a company that recently announced it would remain in Cambridge and actually add 100 jobs. Senator Troy Balderson and I worked with Governor Kasich to make that possible, and that's great news for our part of the state. Meanwhile, credit agencies are lauding our efforts to make Ohio more fiscally sound, while downgrading the federal government. We need to stay the course.

A booming economy depends not only on a strong private sector, but also on a government that is accountable to the taxpayers. In order to meet that responsibility, I proudly supported House Bill 2, which allows the Auditor of State to conduct performance audits on state agencies. This will help ensure that all of our state agencies funded by the taxpayers are running smoothly and efficiently, without redundancies or waste. It is especially critical in times like these that we make every effort to get the most out of every tax dollar spent. I spoke with representatives in State Auditor Dave Yost's office last week; the results of the first performance audits will be available very soon. I'm also going to work with the auditor's office to see how we can reduce the cost of audits for those government subdivisions who receive clean audits.

One major initiative that has received a lot of attention has been the development of Ohio’s natural resources by drilling for oil and natural gas under the state’s surface. Certainly I and many others have discussed it on numerous occasions. More than 800,000 wells have been drilled in Ohio since the 1950s by utilizing hydraulic fracturing without a single confirmed case of water contamination, according to the Ohio Engineers' Association. Though we should always be cognizant of environmental concerns, the opportunity that natural gas and oil production presents for Ohio is encouraging. Most estimates predict that about 200,000 jobs can be created from this development, many of which will be created in the 93rd District and adjacent counties. Already we are seeing booming retail sales of automobiles, farm equipment and other amenities. Hotel rooms are booked; many for an entire year in advance. Now we need to explore how we can capably undertake the massive workforce development this shale play will require over the next decade.

The mission of the 129th General Assembly is simple: Reduce the cost of doing business in Ohio by lowering the tax burden and keeping government from standing in the way of free market growth. Ohio’s economy is beginning to move forward once again, and I have faith that we will see even more progress made next year.

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December 16, 2011

Rep. Hill Releases Statement on Creation of Jobs in Muskingum County

With the news that Halliburton may create more than 300 jobs in Muskingum County over the next three years, State Representative Brian Hill (R-Zanesville) released the following statement:

“I am very pleased to hear that Halliburton plans to invest in an operations hub in the EastPointe Business Park, which will bring much-needed jobs and revenue to Muskingum County. This is yet another example of how the policies that the House Republican Caucus has developed and implemented are having a positive impact in our community and state. Just today, it was also announced that unemployment in Ohio dropped half a percent to 8.5 percent, which is a positive sign that we are moving our economy in the right direction with common-sense leadership on Ohio’s most important issue—improving the environment for businesses and job creation.”

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December 13, 2011

Column from Rep. Kozlowski: An Economic Opportunity Worth Pursuing

Ashtabula County is close to embarking on an alternative energy project that could potentially bring up to 1,200 jobs to the area. These jobs would provide a much-needed boost as we continue the effort of rebuilding our economy.

The project, introduced by Aloterra Energy, includes establishing and cultivating a fast-growing perennial grass from Asia known as Miscanthus giganteus. Once harvested, this grass can then be pelletized and used as an alternative fuel. I have been working closely with Growth Partnership, which has assisted businesses in Ashtabula County since 1990, and the Farm Bureau in order to make this endeavor a reality.

Also covering Lake, Geauga and Trumbull counties, this project represents another step forward in the effort to find alternative and renewable energy sources in the United States. With the nation’s current debt predicament growing steadily every year, hopefully we can begin to make a serious effort to reduce our massive spending—hundreds of billions of dollars each year—for oil overseas.

Additionally, this has the potential of being an effective job-creating opportunity for Ashtabula County, a county with an unemployment rate that is almost a full percentage point higher than the state average. Utilizing our soil in an environmentally friendly way is a substantial and sustainable way to keep jobs in the county.

Thanks to funding from the federal Biomass Crop Assistance Program, or BCAP, the project has the monetary legs to move forward. BCAP provides growers of Miscanthus grass with up to 75 percent in crop-sharing assistance until the crop has an opportunity to be established.

During tough economic times, it is important that we consider all options, and do what we can to capitalize on opportunities when they are presented to us. I believe the production and eventual use of Miscanthus giganteus grass to produce alternative, clean energy is an avenue worth pursuing for Ashtabula County, and I will continue to work with the departments and agencies responsible for implementing this program.

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December 12, 2011

Rep. Gonzales Applauds Creation of High-tech Network in Ohio

The State Controlling Board today approved the transfer of $8.1 million from the Third Frontier Project for the Ohio High Speed Research Network project in Columbus.

According to documents from the Office of Budget and Management, the Ohio High Speed Research Network will create a high-tech research environment by creating a 100 gigabit-per-second corridor through the heart of Ohio. This corridor would provide JobsOhio—the lean, economic development entity that was established through House Bill 1—the tool it needs to entice and retain businesses to Ohio.

“The Ohio High Speed Research Network project is aimed at creating jobs and retaining jobs for Ohio,” said State Representative Anne Gonzales (R-Westerville). “It is vital to Ohio’s growth to invest in higher-education to train and develop a high-tech workforce.”

Higher education research uses leading-edge technology to create new business opportunities and jobs for the state. Ohio’s medical corridor would provide the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio State University Medical Center, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, and Children’s Hospitals with unlimited capacity to transmit vital research, imaging and health information.

With the implementation of the state-of-the-art 100 gigabit-per-second research, education and innovation network, designed to support the next generation of business applications, Ohio will:
• Retain existing employers such as NASA, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Battelle, Procter & Gamble, Cleveland Clinic, and Children’s Hospitals by enabling their ability to leverage the research network;
• Attract new employers with access to the research network and its stakeholders, including 90 four-year and two-year colleges and universities and local and state governments;
• Attract researchers and research funding

Ohio’s High Speed Research Network will establish Ohio as a technology leader by building a new research broadband along the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton corridor. Researchers need access to this platform today to build the new business applications that will drive future development.

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December 5, 2011

Column from Speaker Batchelder in the Post: Job opportunities coming to Ohio

The Post, 11/29/11

When I wrote about Airborne Maintenance & Engineering Services creating 250 jobs in Wilmington and Omnicare Inc. creating 340 jobs in Cincinnati not long ago, I was certainly pleased to be spreading such good news. That was just the tip of the iceberg, though. There had been several job announcements in Ohio before that, and there have certainly been many since.

Just recently, more companies have announced new positions in Ohio, totaling more than 1,700 new jobs within our borders. From as far down as Mason--where a material-handling company called Intelligrated will build a new headquarters and add 200 engineering jobs and technical jobs--to the northern portions of the state--where Republic Steel announced 450 new jobs in Lorain--evidence is mounting that Ohio is open for business again.

Perhaps the most significant sign that our job creation efforts are paying off is that Chrysler has announced 1,100 new jobs at a Jeep complex in Toledo; this is an area, like others in Ohio, hit hard by the loss of manufacturing jobs in recent years. This Chrysler investment of $500 million is further proof that a business-friendly state that offers incentives to businesses is going to be the one that attracts the most jobs for its citizens.

There is little doubt in my mind that many of these companies looked elsewhere, but our state went out of its way to attract them and address their needs in a timely and responsible fashion so they would keep their jobs in Ohio. In fact, this was the thinking behind the creation of our state's private, non-profit group of business leaders--JobsOhio--that was created in House Bill 1 at the beginning of this year. House Bill 1 was the first bill introduced and passed by the Ohio House this year and further demonstrates our focus on job creation since the very first day of this General Assembly.

The House has also taken significant steps to keep jobs and our talented workforce in Ohio by providing incentives for Ohio's graduates to stay and work in Ohio, keeping small business owners and farmers in Ohio through the elimination of the estate tax, and setting up the Common Sense Initiative Office to ensure that our businesses are not harmed by overregulation.

There is no doubt that the Republican caucus at the Ohio House has been focused on job creation and fiscal responsibility from our first day forward. While we have accomplished much, there is always more that can be done and I welcome your input and ideas on job creation. I hope to continue focusing on ways to get Ohioans back to work, including retraining the current workforce. Additionally, there is more work to be done to lessen the tax burden on families and businesses.

As I have often said, actions of the government cannot create jobs, but they can certainly lead to an atmosphere that attracts and creates the opportunity for new jobs. So long as I am speaker, keeping Ohioans with jobs to support them and their families will be my top priority.

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December 1, 2011

Jobs Bills by Kozlowski, Young Receive Unanimous Committee Support

State Representative Casey Kozlowski (R-Pierpont) and State Representative Ron Young (R-Painesville) have announced that two of their jointly sponsored bills have passed from their respective committees in the Legislature, both with unanimous support from members on both sides of the aisle.

House Bill 243, which originally passed from the Ohio House in June and recently passed unanimously from the Senate Insurance Committee, strives to lighten burdensome, bureaucratic permit restrictions on economic development. It eliminates two restrictions on the A-3a liquor permit, which would allow more distillers to obtain the permit and thereby expand business opportunities and tourism in Ohio. According to current law, an A-3a permit can only be obtained in counties with at least 800,000 residents and may be issued to only one micro-distiller in that county—limiting permit holders to just three statewide.

Reps Kozlowski and Young’s legislation removes the 800,000 county population requirements and allows micro-distillers to acquire this permit and begin operations as boutique producers in other areas of Ohio.

“In a time when jobs are scarce and the population of Ohio has declined, the evolution of business expansion is essential to entice individuals to take root in this state and prosper,” Kozlowski said. “This bill would allow for the expansion of business for distillers in Ohio, as well as benefit the tourism industry for people who visit distilleries and wineries for taste tests and want to purchase the product on location. Because of population requirements, A-3a permits only benefit Cuyahoga, Franklin and Hamilton counties. When we create laws that hinder business, we are limiting entrepreneurs and their ideas, jobs, investments and the economic growth this state needs.”

“We have an opportunity to help many of the businesses in our communities succeed while also increasing revenue from tourism. As lawmakers, we need to constantly seek ways to make Ohio marketable and make our state economy more attractive. House Bill 243 is another step toward this goal,” Young said.

Additionally, House Concurrent Resolution 22 passed from the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and will urge Congress to pass the “Short Sea Shipping Act of 2011” — a resolution sponsored by Congressman Steve LaTourette — which is a vital job-creating bill that will not only impact the Great Lakes region but the state of Ohio as a whole.

The “Short Sea Shipping Act of 2011,” or the federal H.R. 1533, would provide the necessary incentives for the further development of the United States shipping industry, which would also create jobs in the trucking industry, relieve traffic congestion on highways, and reduce greenhouse emissions.

Specifically, it would exempt from the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) any commercial cargo that is loaded at a port in the United States mainland and unloaded at another port in the United States mainland after transport solely by coastal or river route or unloaded at a port in Canada located in the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway System. Likewise, the bill’s exemption would apply to commercial cargo that is loaded at a port in Canada located in the Great Lakes Seaway System and unloaded at a port in the United States mainland.

“By enacting this resolution and urging the passage of House Resolution 1533, we would be giving cargo shippers an incentive to move cargo via marine mode,” said Kozlowski. “This legislation would also enhance our short sea shipping industry, create jobs, reduce highway congestion and improve the flow of commerce. I am pleased that it passed from House committee today with support from both sides of the aisle. This legislation will open the doors for Ohio businesses, and help Ashtabula and Conneaut ports.”

“House Resolution 1533 will directly benefit communities like Fairport Harbor, which will see new job growth borne from this revitalized short sea shipping. In the process, this will hopefully take away some of the highway congestion from shipping over land,” Young said. “From a macro perspective, this legislation is designed to help refocus the Great Lakes region on the virtues of intermodal shipping. As compared to land transportation, shipping via waterways is much more cost-effective, requires much less infrastructure development and maintenance, burns less fuel per ton, and is thus more environmentally friendly.”

Having passed from House committee, H.C.R. 22 now awaits consideration by the full House of Representatives.

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November 29, 2011

Rep. Grossman Receives Award for Efforts to Boost Ohio Tourism

Assistant House Majority Whip Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) was recently awarded the “Friend of the Industry Award” by the Ohio Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (OACVB) in recognition of her understanding of the societal, cultural and economic impact that tourism has on the state of Ohio, as well as her contributions to helping the tourism industry prosper.

According to leaders of the OACVB, Rep. Grossman was selected because she has worked tirelessly to ensure a viable and continuous funding model to display Ohio’s attributes not only for travel and leisure, but also for business and living.

“Rep. Grossman began meeting with members of the travel and tourism industry well ahead of the curve in terms of the financial benefits and economic development our industry has on our communities and the state as a whole,” said immediate past president Greg Eyerman of the Fairfield County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Her background as mayor and now a state representative provide an added depth of knowledge and first-hand knowledge. With her leading our efforts to support travel and tourism in Ohio, we can rest assured we have a lifelong supporter.”

The Ohio Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus is an organization representing more than 60 CVBs throughout the state with educational, networking, public relations/cooperative advertising and legislative efforts.

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November 22, 2011

Column from Rep. Maag: Positive Signs in Ohio’s Economy

Scattered about the news lately have been a range of stories that show reasons to be optimistic about Ohio’s economy.

The Dayton Daily News recently reported that economists are predicting that the upcoming holiday season will be the best Ohio has seen in five years for spending. Of course, one positive shopping season does not mean that our economy is completely recovered, but considering that about 20 percent of retailers’ annual sales occur during this time of year, these numbers are definitely a positive sign.

Additionally, between 480,000 and 500,000 seasonal jobs are expected to be added nationwide, according to the National Retail Association. Although seasonal jobs are obviously not as ideal as permanent ones, they do provide valuable on-the-job experience for young workers that can help them gain full-time employment later, as well as supplying employees with supplemental income during the holiday season.

Another job-creating opportunity currently underway in Ohio is through drilling the state’s underground natural gas and oil reserves. Much of the actual drilling would take place in the eastern half of the state, but there is a proposal to build a pipeline that would stretch from Ohio to Texas that would intersect Warren County. The construction of the pipeline could create about 4,000 temporary and full-time employees.

Besides the jobs that could be created and the economic boost the development of natural resources would provide for Ohio, the oil and natural gas that could be harvested from our soil would also hopefully reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil. In 2010, the United States’ trade deficit for petroleum-related products was $265 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. This is not only bad economic policy as it relates to our ever-expanding national debt, but it can also pose a major security threat to our country. It is important that we move forward on efforts to become more energy-independent.

Economic recovery does not happen overnight, but there continues to be signs that progress is being made in Ohio. Our state should strive to be a leader, an example for other states to follow.

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November 18, 2011

Reps. Roegner, Hagan Introduce Legislation to Bolster Financial Accountability

In order to improve government transparency, financial forecasting, and accountability to the taxpayers, State Representatives Kristina Daley Roegner (R-Hudson) and Christina Hagan (R-Marlboro Twp.) recently introduced House Bill 368, designed to keep the public and the General Assembly better informed through a fact-based, four-year economic forecast.

The legislation calls for a four-year financial outlook report based on items such as current law, demographics, debt load, expected trends and other factors, including budgetary, economic, socio-economic and debt analysis. It will take into consideration both internal and external environmental demands and contingencies that could hinder or accelerate Ohio’s course to success. The financial outlook would project fiscal trends, including projected expenditures and expected tax revenues. The report, completed annually, will be posted on a state website to increase public awareness of the fiscal outlook of the state and keep the state’s finances accountable.

The financial outlook will keep lawmakers and Ohioans more fully aware of financial circumstances that would arise in the future. “The state currently operates on a two-year budget cycle,” Roegner said. “We as lawmakers need to be able to look beyond two years so that we can properly address potential problem areas before a financial crisis actually occurs. A four-year financial outlook is a tool we can use, like businesses do, to help us better plan for the future. It just makes common sense.”

Additionally, House Bill 368 would also create the non-partisan Long-range Financial Outlook Council, comprised of public and private-sector financial experts—serving as volunteers—who would ensure that the financial outlook each year is as complete and accurate as possible.

"I believe that a transparent approach to government, such as our financial outlook, is paramount to creating financial stability and success for our great state,” Hagan said. “Our generation's future depends on responsible policy today, and this is a step in the direction of long-term success that is non-partisan and in the best interest of all Ohioans. My goal is to demand efficiency and effectiveness, and transparency is the key to success and opportunity for my generation."

Other states such as Virginia, Florida and Kentucky have adopted similar processes in their commitment to fiscal responsibility and accountability. Florida's debt rating was recently upgraded to AAA, the highest rate possible.

House Bill 368 has been assigned to the House Finance and Appropriations Committee.

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October 28, 2011

Column from Rep. Bill Hayes: Keeping Good Teachers on the Job

Whenever I hear about a young teacher being laid off, I think back to an article that ran in the Columbus Dispatch earlier this year. It referred to the Pickerington School District having to let go of a large number of teachers. Five of the teachers that were to be laid off were voted “Teacher of the Year” by their respective schools within the district.

The unfortunate story stemmed from Pickerington’s “last in, first out” policy, which determines all layoff decisions based on tenure. Simply stated, those with the least seniority are the first to go.

Senate Bill 5 implements a performance-based pay policy. That is, instead of all staffing decisions being decided by who has been on the job the longest, schools will also have the ability to look at someone’s talents. This would surely give schools a better opportunity to hold onto good teachers, such as those who are nominated “Teacher of the Year.”

But perhaps the bigger issue with the situation in Pickerington was that it was forced to lay off 17 percent of its teaching staff. When a school is near the verge of laying off one-fifth of its staff, then we are no longer only talking about young teachers. In fact, one of the laid off teachers had worked at the school for eight years.

The reason such drastic staff reductions were needed was because the school district had to cut $13 million from its budget. Schools all over the state have faced similar financial realities, and the loss of teaching jobs has been the result.

However, instead of making cuts solely by laying off teachers—which negatively impacts our children’s educations—Senate Bill 5 includes provisions that gives school districts greater flexibility over their budgets. Requiring that all school employees pay slightly more toward their healthcare and retirement frees up space for schools to keep more teachers on staff.

We should do whatever we can to keep good teachers in our schools. The simple, common-sense provisions in Senate Bill 5 will help make that possible.

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October 25, 2011

Column from Speaker Batchelder in the Post: Reasonable steps to save jobs

The Post, 10/18

When the 129th General Assembly was first called to session, Ohio was facing an $8 billion deficit. Small businesses were finding it difficult to meet a competitive bottom line, leaving workers to face the reality of being laid off or accepting pay cuts. This placed added budgetary constraints on families throughout the state. The same was true for school districts and local governments - the taxpayers they depend on to keep things running were having trouble keeping up. With our economy in such a rut, it was clear that it was time for the state government to reevaluate the way it managed its budget.

The best way to establish a strong, healthy economy is to keep people working. This is true not only in the private sector, but for public employees as well. They pay taxes, patronize businesses and support local school districts, just like their private sector neighbors. That basic understanding was the inspiration for Senate Bill 5 -- an effort to revive a once-thriving economy by preserving jobs, both private and public.

Unfortunately, the preservation of public sector jobs has not been a common reality in recent years. With built-in demands for healthcare and retirement benefits quickly exceeding what can be afforded, school districts and local governments have had to lay off workers in order to balance their books. This often results in young public workers losing their jobs, and, because they on average earn less than their more experienced coworkers, it has required a greater number of layoffs to reach the balanced budget.

Our solution updates the collective bargaining system for public employees in our state, which has been in place and gone mostly unchanged for almost 30 years. Above all else, it is an attempt to restore balance between all workers in Ohio. It requires public employees to pay at least 15 percent toward healthcare and 10 percent toward their pensions. Because public employee salaries are first earned in the private sector, their salaries and benefits must reflect what is earned by private workers.

The bill also introduces some reasonable changes to collective bargaining, in order to give schools and municipalities more flexibility in dealing with tightening budgets. Public employees, such as teachers and safety workers, will still be able to bargain for wages, hours and conditions of employment. The new process will be more transparent because it will give taxpayers -- the people footing the bill--a seat at the table and a voice for how their tax dollars are spent.

I know that my colleagues in the Ohio House -- Republicans and Democrats alike -- benefit from the work of our public servants. They are vital to keeping our streets safe and our schools running efficiently. But these changes are critical to fostering an economy that works for the best interest of all Ohio workers.

I supported Senate Bill 5 because it proposes honest and reasonable changes to the way governments manage taxpayer money, while at the same preserving the jobs of our valuable public employees.

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October 17, 2011

Column from Speaker Batchelder in the Post: Attracting businesses and jobs to Ohio

The Post, 10/12

With the struggling economy weighing down on Ohioans the past few years, I think it has become common knowledge that it will take a lot to pull us out of this mess. The current General Assembly has strived to do what we can in this process as the year has progressed and we still have much more to do. But in truth, government can only assist in bringing jobs and economic recovery to our state.

What is often best for the growth of government is not best for the growth of business, which is why it is so necessary for government to often stand aside and let business leaders do what they do best - lead. What those of us in government can do, however, is ensure that Ohio is a great atmosphere for businesses to thrive. This effort has been shown in recent weeks, with companies deciding that our state is a great place to do business in this country.

For instance, Rep. Cliff Rosenberger, whose district was hard-hit when DHL decided to leave Wilmington a few years ago, has been fighting hard for job growth in his area of the state. The recent result of his efforts, along with the cooperation between public and private entities, is a new 100,000-square-foot airplane hangar at the Wilmington Air Park.

The company that will operate the hangar, Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services, is expecting to create more than 250 jobs in the areas of maintenance and painting, including administrative and support positions. The annual payroll will be nearly $11.3 million. This is sure to help out a struggling region of the state. It is my hope that this company and others will also consider expansion in Ohio.

The construction in Wilmington will start sometime in the first quarter of 2012, but, by that time, another company will have also started its move into Ohio. It was recently announced that Omnicare, Inc., a pharmacy services provider, is moving its corporate headquarters to downtown Cincinnati from Kentucky.

Part of the reason Omnicare is able to come to Ohio is because we have offered more incentives to attract them. When it's all said and done, our state is a better place for them to do business than Kentucky, and this is something we should be proud of. As the company continues its work of dispensing pharmaceuticals to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, it is expected to create 340 new full-time jobs over the next three years.

Not only am I pleased that Omnicare will be in Ohio, but JobsOhio - our new job-creating entity fashioned in legislation earlier this year - was able to assist in the process. This shows the importance of what a state can do when it adapts to the needs of businesses and responds to them in a timely manner. It is through efforts like these that we are going to gradually bring Ohio back to the economic powerhouse that it once was.

Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services, along with Omnicare Inc., are two of the most recent successes Ohio has seen, but there have been many others in just the last few months. More importantly, there are more businesses and jobs to come if we continue to think outside the box and shake up the status quo here in Ohio.

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