With the beginning to a new year among us, it is important to keep in mind our priorities as state legislators. There are many pressing issues and pieces of legislation coming before us in the coming months which will have serious impacts on Ohio’s jobs, businesses and economy.

Among my top priorities for the year is continuing to improve Ohio’s economy by creating more jobs and working with businesses, small and large. Many businesses are looking to establish themselves in some way whether it be by locating, expanding or simply continuing to do business here in Ohio and it is essential that state agencies are working with these businesses and not against them. I have long been an advocate for small businesses and will continue to do so this year. A bill that I proposed, Senate Bill 3, which was passed back in March, would crucially help small businesses. It is critical that the House passes this bill in order to require a rule-making agency to prepare a cost-benefit report for small businesses. Another bill which I sponsored, Senate Bill 213, would freeze the line on rate increases for small businesses who are in the group rating system who have increasingly seen their rates go up. (more)

If you have visited our nation’s Capitol Building, you may have wandered through Statuary Hall on your way from the magnificent Rotunda to the House wing of the building. Back in 1864, Congress authorized each of the states to furnish statues in either marble or bronze to commemorate the civic or military achievements of two individuals who hail from that state. Since the 1880s, Ohio has been represented by marble likenesses of former President of the United States and congressman from Ohio James Garfield, and former congressman and Ohio Governor William Allen. (more)

Support those fighting increased government spending and higher taxes.
Despite regularly promising that he would not raise taxes, Governor Strickland bowed to his liberal constituencies and introduced an $850 million dollar income tax increase to fix the hole caused by his risky lottery slot machine scheme. Not surprisingly, the Democrats in the Ohio House quickly voted to give the Governor his tax increase. I helped lead the opposition to the Strickland tax increase by proposing real solutions to solve the budget hole that did not raise taxes. While we fought the tax increase for more than two months, after withering pressure from interest groups and the editorial pages across Ohio, several term-limited senators joined all the Democrats and passed a budget solution that included Strickland’s tax increase. I voted against the tax increase because raising income taxes will not help achieve what should be Ohio’s number one goal: to help make Ohio a great place to keep and grow jobs! This is my commitment and I will continue to work to create a positive economic, job creating environment in Ohio. (more)