October 31, 2011

Column from Speaker Batchelder in the Post: Approaching Business With Common Sense

The Post, 10/26

As I have addressed the problems facing small businesses in the past, I mentioned a regulatory bill called the Common Sense Initiative, but I would like to elaborate on just how important this bill is to improving Ohio's business climate.

In many cases, getting businesses the permits they need from the state has been a cumbersome process that takes longer than in other states--and in some cases, the regulations are applied inconsistently. In addition, Ohio has often gone above and beyond the requirements placed upon businesses by the federal government, requiring more at the state level and hindering us in attracting more jobs to our state. This could not continue, and so we did something to address it early in this General Assembly.

Through the Common Sense Initiative, we are helping small businesses across the state by reducing and eliminating burdensome, costly, and duplicative rules that hurt jobs and raise overhead costs. We felt that it was necessary to reexamine our regulations as a means of reviving Ohio's ailing economy.

The legislation, Senate Bill 2, established the Common Sense Initiative Office. It helps to consolidate certain functions of state agencies and is paid for with already existing revenue. The mission of the CSI Office is to hold state agencies accountable for the rules they implement, weighing the benefit of the rules against the adverse impacts they could have on Ohio businesses.

Visiting with small business owners on a very regular basis, I often hear about the struggles they are confronted with--especially in a down economy. Regulation by government is always one of those hindrances, but it does not have to be. Rather, government should be a business partner, helping them to grow and be successful.

Eliminating needless regulations can assist businesses by allowing staff to focus their efforts on business growth and serving customers, rather than spending their time and money trying to remain in compliance.

Make no mistake, some regulations make sense and work well, but they must be put in place with a common-sense approach, and that is what the Common Sense Initiative accomplishes. Although changes like this might seem minor in relation to all that businesses do, these are important steps in providing relief to the employees and owners of thousands of small businesses across our state. It is my ultimate hope that, over time, relieving businesses of these sometimes unnecessary burdens will free them to do what they do best: create jobs.

http://thepostnewspapers.com/norton/copy_of_from-the-people-house-wadsworth-10-29

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September 12, 2011

Rep. Baker letter to Plain Dealer: Long-term, private-sector jobs don't come from higher taxes

Editorial: Long-term, private-sector jobs don't come from higher taxes or government activity
Sept. 10, 2011

I am compelled to respond to the Opinion article by Jim Hoffa of the Teamsters union ("Jobs first, deficit second," Sept. 2), in which he claims that raising taxes on Ohioans, increasing government spending and running large budget deficits is the way to create jobs in this state.

As chairwoman of the House Economic and Small Business Development Committee (and as a small-business owner), I'd like to mention that these remarks advocate for an increased reliance on the government at a time when we need to be positioning our private sector for success.

For more than 30 years, I have understood firsthand how tax rates and regulations can help or destroy a small business. Unshackling budding entrepreneurs and job creators from the layers of red tape and tax burdens creates greater opportunities for economic growth and investment down the road -- not only from our homegrown businesses, but from out-of-state businesses as well.

Hoffa and I agree that as a state and nation, we need to be entirely focused on job creation and retention. However, to be economically competitive as a state means being more business-friendly than our Midwestern neighbors, as well as nationally and internationally competitive.

Is funneling more tax dollars into an ever-growing government truly the way to accomplish this?

Here in Ohio, we need jobs -- not short-term, stimulus-funded jobs, but long-term jobs for the 21st century that will fortify our economy. Raising taxes on our No. 1 job creators, increasing government interference in the marketplace and escalating government stimulus projects will not sustain the economic growth we need in Ohio.

Nan Baker, Columbus

Baker, a Republican, represents Ohio House District 16.

http://blog.cleveland.com/letters/2011/09/long-term_private-sector_jobs.html

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June 27, 2011

Rep. Anielski is featured on Ohio in Focus

Rep. Marlene Anielski is featured on an episode of Ohio in Focus.

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June 24, 2011

Rep. Thompson is featured on Ohio in Focus

Rep. Andy Thompson is featured on an episode of Ohio in Focus.

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June 23, 2011

Kozlowski and Young Announce House Passage of Bill to Amend A-3a Permit Regulations

Today, the Ohio House of Representatives passed legislation to encourage economic development by reducing oppressive regulations on Ohio’s micro-distillers.

House Bill 243—jointly sponsored by State Representatives Casey Kozlowski (R-Pierpont) and Ron Young (R-Painesville)—strives to lighten burdensome, bureaucratic permit restrictions on economic development. It would allow more micro-distillers to obtain permits and drive more economic growth and investment in Ohio.

“The economic possibilities this bill brings are exciting. Innovations like this bill are what will help Ohio recover and prosper in the future,” Rep. Kozlowski said. “It is also positive to see bipartisan support on another piece of legislation that will help improve Ohio’s business climate.”

Currently, an A-3a permit can only be obtained in counties with 800,000 residents and may be issued to only one micro-distiller in that county. This restriction limits permit holders to just three statewide.

House Bill 243 removes the 800,000 county population requirement allowing micro-distillers to acquire this permit and begin operations as boutique producers in other areas of Ohio.

“The micro-distillery industry is a growing segment of our national economy and one worthy of development in Ohio,” said Rep. Young. “This legislation was brought to us by local wineries in Lake and Ashtabula counties. These local wineries are noted for creating family-friendly environments that are a benefit to the local farming economy and promote tourism throughout our region. With the addition of micro-distilleries to the winery’s operations, they will become even more robust economic assets to our region. If Ohio is to grow and create jobs, we must look for ways to promote economic growth, not stifle it as current regulations in this industry have done.”

House Bill 243 passed with unanimous support and will now move to the Ohio Senate, where it will undergo further consideration.

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June 8, 2011

Kozlowski and Young introduce bill to amend A-3a permit regulations

State Representatives Casey Kozlowski (R-Pierpont) and Ron Young (R-Leroy Twp.) recently introduced legislation that, when enacted, will spur economic development by reducing oppressive regulations on Ohio’s distillers.

Reps. Kozlowski and Young jointly introduced House Bill 243 earlier this month to lighten burdensome restrictions on the A-3a liquor permit, which would allow more distillers to obtain the permit and therefore drive more economic growth and investment in 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,” Rep. 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.”

Under current law, an A-3a permit can only be obtained in counties with 800,000 residents and may be issued to only one distiller in that county. This limits the gross majority of counties from obtaining this permit and creates a power grab for the permit in counties that meet the population requirement.

House Bill 243 removes the 800,000 population county requirement and allows for unlimited distillers to acquire this permit in each county.

“We have an opportunity to help many of the businesses in our communities succeed while also increasing revenue from tourism,” said Rep. Young. “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 and I look forward to discussing this bill with my House colleagues.”

House Bill 243 will soon be assigned to a House committee, where it will undergo debate and consideration.

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April 27, 2011

Rep. Kristina Roegner featured on Ohio in Focus.

Rep. Kristina Roegner is featured on Ohio in Focus.

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April 7, 2011

Column from Rep. Landis: Reviewing regulations on businesses

Local business is a cornerstone to the economy of our community. Without its proliferation, the delicate economic recovery we have been witnessing would come to a standstill. That makes it absolutely vital to the well being of Ohio’s economy that the state legislature takes every step necessary to help Ohio businesses flourish. Unnecessary, cumbersome regulations must not halt, hinder, or interfere with the growth of private sector businesses. This is why I have chosen to stand behind Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 94, which will together ensure that local businesses have every opportunity to grow and thrive in our community by revising and removing any regulations that have stopped this progress in the past.

For years Ohio has had in place stringent, inhibiting regulations that have put unnecessary strain on local business, small and large. Too often, these regulations were applied arbitrarily and inconsistently, making it excessively difficult to start and maintain a business in a reasonable amount of time. Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 94 assure that these cumbersome, excessive regulations that hindered the growth of our local economy for so many years will finally be removed and local businesses can begin to grow with unprecedented speed and efficiency.

The passage of this legislation has created the Common Sense Initiative Office under the office of the governor. The CSI Office’s main goal is to review any regulatory practices within the realm of local business that may have an adverse effect on the procedure of a particular business or the conception and foundation of a new one. Funded with existing revenue and no new taxes, the CSI Office will be responsible for weighing the value of any existing regulation or proposed regulation against its potential harm on local business, changing them as needed to help foster the growth of businesses in our community. This process guarantees that the state legislature will continue to uphold regulations that are necessary and practical, while weeding out any that hinder private sector business operations.

Within the CSI Office, there will be a Small Business Advisory Council established to cater to the needs of small businesses in dealing with government regulations. Since small businesses often do not have access to the same legal resources as larger corporations, it is usually much harder for them to have their voices heard on the legislative forum. Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 94 will give small businesses unprecedented access to the legislature, effectively helping them blossom and thrive in the competitive business arena and providing a much-needed boost to our local economy.

Furthermore, the passage of the Common Sense Initiative will allow more access to the state legislature for public input. This ensures that the most pertinent, pressing issues are dealt with and any particularly concerning business regulations are handled quickly and effectively.

Passing House Bill 94 has created a massive wealth of new opportunities for businesses in Ohio to start, grow, and succeed in bringing newfound jobs and prosperity to our state. Without the inhibiting, ineffective business regulations of the past, new businesses will surely begin to form in Ohio, boosting our economic recovery and giving us a promising future for generations to come.

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March 17, 2011

Boose and Grossman applaud repeal of PUCO mandates

State Representatives Terry Boose (R-Norwalk) and Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) today applauded the decision by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to rescind the revised regulations on private commercial vehicles operating in intrastate commerce.

Initially intended to take effect on January 1, 2011, the PUCO extended motor carrier safety regulations to include private intrastate vehicles with a weight of between 10,001 and 26,000 lbs. Included in the new regulations were rules that require drivers of these vehicles to maintain log books and medical certificates. Furthermore, these vehicles would have been subject to inspection by the state of Ohio, and the operations of the companies that use these vehicles would have been subject to review from the PUCO’s safety compliance auditors.

“At a time when we need to be reviewing the way our state does business and ensure that our small businesses are not drowning in red tape, I’m very pleased to see the PUCO reverse its decision,” said Grossman. “We simply could not afford to impose even more regulations on our small businesses when they are least able to afford them.”

“In order to encourage job creation and business growth, we first need to reduce the strain on local businesses,” Boose said. “In line with the passage of the Common Sense Initiative, the decision by the PUCO to rescind the new vehicle mandates is yet another step toward a more business-friendly environment in Ohio.

In February, Boose and Grossman introduced House Bill 82 to match Ohio’s hazmat requirements to the federal standard and repeal the additional regulations that are not required by the federal government. This legislation was aimed at alleviating some of the burden caused by the new motor carrier vehicle regulations on businesses.

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March 2, 2011

Legislation to promote business-friendly state policies passes Ohio House

State Representatives Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) and Andy Thompson (R-Marietta) today announced the passage of Senate Bill 2 from the Ohio House of Representatives by a vote of 81-14. This legislation—sponsored by Senator Jim Hughes (R-Clintonville)—is companion legislation to House Bill 94, which would adopt a new small business rule review procedure by defining a process of regulatory reform.

“I am very pleased that the Senate’s companion bill to legislation that Rep. Thompson and I introduced received such widespread support in the House,” said Roegner. “It is very encouraging that this legislative body is taking smart steps toward making Ohio’s government more conducive to businesses and economic growth.”

Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 94 outline the role of the Common Sense Initiative (CSI) Office, which was established through Governor John Kasich’s Executive Order 2011-01K to evaluate all regulations from any state governmental agency. The CSI Office will determine if a particular regulation has an adverse effect on businesses by assessing all new rules, while also reevaluating existing rules when they come up for periodic review.

“Promoting state policies that will encourage—not hinder—business expansion and job creation is one of the most important things we can accomplish during this General Assembly,” said Thompson. “As a small business owner, this continues to be one of my top priorities, and the passage of Senate Bill 2 is a vital step.”

Senate Bill 2 creates the CSI Office and a corresponding Small Business Advisory Council to advise the governor on the adverse impacts that proposed rules might have on small businesses. These functions, established under the Governor’s Office, consolidate existing areas of government and will require no additional state money to begin.

Senate Bill 2 now moves to the governor for his signature.

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February 2, 2011

Legislators Defend Ohioans' Health Care Choices

State Representatives Ron Maag (R-Lebanon) and Barbara Sears (R-Monclova Twp.), together with State Senator Tim Grendell (R- Chesterland) today announced at a press conference they will soon be introducing joint resolutions in both the Ohio House and Ohio Senate that seek to safeguard the ability of Ohioans to continue to make their own health care choices.

The House and Senate resolutions would preserve the freedom of Ohioans to make their own health care decisions by proposing an amendment to the Ohio Constitution that prohibits any rule or law from forcing a person, employer or health care provider to participate in a health care system.

“We introduced this legislation as a way of protecting the fundamental rights of Ohioans against bureaucratic power grabs,” Rep. Maag said. “What’s right for one person may not be right for another, and what’s right for some states may not be right for Ohio. We have to have options with regard to our health care providers, treatments and care.”

“Having the ability to make our own choices is something we treasure as Americans,” Rep. Sears said. “This legislation emphasizes that the patient remains the most important figure in health care—not the government. It’s about respecting the will of the people.”

“The citizens of Ohio should have the ability to decide for themselves how they want to consume health care services,” said Grendell, who sponsored legislation in the Senate last year that would have made it the policy of Ohio that no resident could be required to obtain or maintain an individual health insurance policy. “By proposing these constitutional amendments, we are giving Ohioans the opportunity to reject this oppressive federal attack on their individual liberties.”

Recent federal court rulings in Virginia and Florida have found the provision of the federal health care law requiring individuals to buy health insurance or pay a fine is unconstitutional.

Lawmakers were joined at the press conference by Maurice Thompson from the 1851 Center, Alan Witten from the Ohio Project, and Mike Wilson and Chris Littleton from the Ohio Liberty Council.

Similar legislation has been introduced in states across the nation. If passed, the Ohio Health Care Freedom Act would appear as a statewide ballot issue.

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House GOP Works to Alleviate PUCO Mandates on Small Businesses

Members of the Ohio House Republican Caucus today held a press conference to discuss revised motor carrier safety regulations that are enforced by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), as well as legislation to alleviate the financial strain that these regulations have caused small businesses.

At the press conference, Assistant House Majority Whip Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) and State Representative Terry Boose (R-Norwalk) announced jointly sponsored legislation that would address the newly implemented PUCO rules that, when enforced, will impose additional strains on Ohio’s small businesses.

“As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to the people of Ohio to ensure that the government is not hindering job creation or economic development,” said Grossman. “I’ve had numerous conversations with business owners within the 23rd District who say that the new regulations are hindering their businesses’ expansion and success. This is an issue that must be addressed immediately.”

Initially intended to take effect on January 1, 2011, the PUCO extended motor carrier safety regulations to include private intrastate vehicles with a weight of less than 26,001 lbs. The PUCO implemented this rule change after it was discovered that Ohio was not in compliance with federal regulations, which would cause the PUCO to lose $6 to 7 million in federal funding that helps to finance the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program.

Included in the new regulations are rules that require drivers of these vehicles to maintain log books and medical certificates. Furthermore, these vehicles are now subject to inspection by the state of Ohio, and the operations of the companies that use these vehicles are also subject to review from the PUCO’s safety compliance auditors.

After legislative protests during the 128th General Assembly by members of the Republican caucus, the PUCO agreed to delay the enforcement of the rule until January 1, 2012 because of concerns that the public, legislators and businesses alike needed more time to better understand how the rule would work and who would be affected.

“The new regulations, which far overreach the federal guidelines, put an additional encumbrance on many of Ohio’s small businesses when they are least able to afford it,” Boose said. “I’m encouraged that the PUCO has delayed the implementation of the rule as it will provide us with an opportunity to ensure that Ohio does not lose any more jobs because of these regulations.”

According to the nonpartisan Legislative Service Commission, the federal government requires the state to enforce federal hazmat regulations on this vehicle class. The PUCO has synced Ohio’s rules with those federal requirements, but in doing so placed additional, not required safety regulations on vehicles of this weight that do not carry hazmat materials, enforcing significantly more regulation on vehicles in this class than required by the federal government.

Reps. Grossman and Boose’s legislation will match Ohio’s hazmat requirements to the federal standard and repeal the additional regulations that are not required by the federal government. They emphasize that this bill will help eliminate overly burdensome regulations and government red tape in order to make Ohio more attractive for business.

The bill will now be assigned to a House committee, where it will undergo additional consideration.


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