Leadership

Ex-Ohio Speaker of the House Larry Householder is preparing to ask President-elect Donald Trump for clemency, according to his campaign’s attorney.

Householder, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for his role in orchestrating the largest bribery scandal in Ohio history, is planning to submit an official pardon application to the U.S. Justice Department near the time of Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025.

The Justice Department normally requires people serving a federal prison sentence to wait five years after release to apply for a pardon. However, Housholder’s campaign attorney, Scott Pullins, stated that they will ask to waive the waiting period – which applicants can do, though it “is rarely granted”. 11/11/2024

The OMA Government Affairs Committee will meet for the final time this year on Nov. 21. from 10 a.m. – noon.

Agenda highlights include:

• Post-election analysis and discussion featuring former Ohio GOP Chairman and President of Agincourt Consultants Bob Paduchik
• Details on the remainder of the 2023-24 legislative session, including the Ohio House Speaker race
• Legislative priorities for the upcoming post-election session and 2025 operating budget

11/14/2024

This week, the OMA provided testimony in support of House Bill 432 which aims to address the shortage of career technical instructors in Ohio by creating alternative licensure pathways.

As employers continue to cite talent availability concerns, it is essential that Ohio’s students have access to education programs to assist them as they evaluate in-demand career pathways, including manufacturing. HB 432 is currently pending in House Primary and Secondary Education Committee. 11/11/2024

In a major comeback for the GOP, Donald Trump was elected as the 47th president of the United States, with his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, calling to concede the election Wednesday morning.

Trump’s victory in Wisconsin early Wednesday morning cleared the 270 electoral votes needed to secure the White House. Trump also took Pennsylvania and Michigan, the latter of which shattered the “Blue Wall” that Harris needed to stay in the race. 11/6/2024

Republican businessman Bernie Moreno on Tuesday night defeated incumbent and longtime Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown. Moreno benefited from a strong Trump performance in Ohio, pushing him past Brown, who was outperforming the top of the ticket for Democrats.

State Issue One also failed Tuesday night by a margin of 53.8% to 46.2%. Despite a massive campaign and influx of dollars in support, opponents were able to ride Donald Trump’s performance in Ohio, which included a direct endorsement of the “No” vote by the president-elect.

A full breakdown of Ohio’s general election can be found in the OMA’s Post-Election Report. 11/6/2024

According to his spokesperson, Gov. Mike DeWine will appoint the replacement for Ohio’s U.S. Sen. JD Vance when Vance decides to step down now that he has been elected vice president.

The Dayton Daily News reports names that have been floated include term-limited state Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls), Secretary of State Frank LaRose, former GOP Party chair Jane Timken, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. 11/6/2024

Election Day is next Tuesday and Ohio manufacturers deserve to have their voice heard!

Visit the Ohio Manufacturers Election Center to check key deadlines, see the OMA-endorsed candidates, research all races in Ohio with the OMA Election Guide, and most importantly, make a plan to vote by or on Nov. 5! 10/30/2024

With less than a week until Election Day, Ohio’s incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown has seen his lead over challenger Bernie Moreno shrink substantially.

The RCP average from RealClear Polling has Brown holding a one point lead over Moreno, a stark difference from the six point lead previously reported.

Former President Donald Trump currently holds a commanding lead of +10 in Ohio over Vice President Kamala Harris, two points higher than his margin of victory in the 2020 election. 10/30/2024

The OMA expresses condolences on the passing of two great leaders of state. Former Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives Jo Ann Davidson passed last Friday at 97. Under her leadership, the Ohio General Assembly enacted landmark reforms, including electric generation deregulation, tort reform, and tax reform. She was an inspiring leader that the OMA worked closely with. Services were held on Thursday, Oct. 31.

The OMA also notes the passing of David Hobson, a legendary legislator who served in both the Ohio Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, where he held key posts until his retirement in 2011. Hailing from Springfield, David inspired many people who worked around him in Washington, D.C., and Columbus. Services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2.

“Leadership is a critical ingredient to high-performing government, and both Jo Ann and David had the right stuff,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. “They were dedicated servant leaders who will be missed. Ohio manufacturers express condolences and gratitude to their families.” 10/31/2024

With the election less than two weeks away and early voting in full swing, Ohio manufacturers deserve to have their voice heard!

Visit the Ohio Manufacturers Election Center to check key deadlines, see the OMA-endorsed candidates, research all races in Ohio with the OMA Election Guide, and most importantly, make a plan to vote by or on Nov. 5! 10/23/2024

Three weeks into Manufacturing Month, OMA staff continues to traverse the state, including a recent stop in Lima to visit with Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman and Judge Megan Shanahan, candidate for Ohio Supreme Court. Three state supreme court seats are up for election this year.

Plan to attend the OMA Government Affairs Committee on Nov. 21 to get a full analysis of election results. 10/24/2024

This week, OMA’s Managing Director of Public Policy James Lee spoke during a panel at the Union County Chamber of Commerce’s October Business Impact Breakfast.

Lee was joined by Rae Ellen Douglas, hub manager for the Central Ohio Manufacturing Partnership, Matt Springer, lead for Central Ohio Workforce Partnerships at Honda, and Shay Burris from Superior Plastics.

The panel discussion included addressing workforce challenges and the success of Industry Sector Partnerships, policy incentives that are investing in Ohio’s manufacturing workforce, and regulatory challenges that threaten Ohio’s manufacturing competitiveness. 10/24/2024

Your favorite NFL athletes, from Kelce to Kittle, have a secret snack fueling their performance, and it’s made right here in Ohio.

NFL players consume at least 80,000 Smucker’s Uncrustable sandwiches a year, foregoing the traditional orange slices you might see at your kid’s soccer game this weekend in favor of the sealed peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

From the Wilson footballs that Joe Burrow throws for touchdowns, the Riddell helmet that protects Miles Garrett as he records another sack, and now, Smucker’s providing the favorite fuel of players around the league, no NFL team takes the field without the help of Ohio manufacturing! 10/24/2024

The OMA continued the celebration of Manufacturing Month this week, kicking things off with a tour of Schaeffler Group USA in Wooster with State Senator Al Landis. Schaeffler manufactures high-precision components and systems for engines, transmissions, and chassis.

On Wednesday, OMA President Ryan Augsburger and Managing Director of Workforce Services Jessica Borza spoke to the Ohio Association of Community Colleges Presidents Meeting, sharing the strength of Ohio’s manufacturing industry, budget priorities, and OMA’s workforce initiatives.

Thursday, Augsburger joined National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President Jay Timmons at the Circleville Pumpkin Show as part of the unveiling of the Route 250 Diner, an initiative to reignite American patriotism and renew belief in the American dream ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. 10/16/2024

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) recently released a study outlining the economic and energy benefits of exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) and emphasizing the dangers of pausing exports of LNG.

The study projects that LNG export activities would grow to more than 900,000 jobs in 2044, contribute up to $216 billion to U.S. GDP, and generate $46 billion in tax revenue in that year. 10/16/2024

Last Friday, in celebration of Manufacturing Day, Cleveland.com published an op-ed by OMA President Ryan Augsburger highlighting Ohio as a powerhouse in manufacturing.

Augsburger focuses on Ohio’s rich manufacturing roots and skilled workforce, pointing to the fact that only Texas and California, which have three times the number of people as Ohio, employ more in the manufacturing industry. 10/4/2024

The celebration of Manufacturing Month in Ohio continues!

Last Friday, OMA President Ryan Augsburger and Nate Mays, Director of Development & Member Services visited Sutphen Corporation in Urbana, Ohio. Sutphen is the oldest continuously owned and operated fire apparatus manufacturer in the U.S., making high-quality vehicles and apparatus for fighter fighters since 1890.

On Monday, OMA’s James Lee and Lindsey Short, along with Jeff Reed from Honda hosted the new class of Ohio Legislative Service Commission (LSC) fellows for a tour of the Honda Marysville Auto Plant.

The LSC Fellowship is a 13-month, full-time program that places recent college graduates in a variety of positions in the state legislature. Fellows are typically offered permanent employment with the General Assembly or the state of Ohio upon completion of the program. 10/9/2024

The Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act stalled in Congress this week after failing to move to the House floor.

The REPAIR Act would have prohibited automakers from impairing a non-OEM parts manufacturer from producing or selling compatible aftermarket parts.

The OMA has opposed similar legislation at the state level, including Senate Bill 73 that would have imposed similar requirements on the entire manufacturing sector. 10/8/2024

Earlier this week, OMA President Ryan Augsburger gave a “State of Manufacturing” update to the Licking County Chamber of Commerce at their annual Manufacturing Day Celebration.

Augsburger reported on the strength of Ohio’s manufacturing industry, which is third in the nation for manufacturing jobs and produces more than $134 billion in manufactured goods annually. 10/2/2024

Last week, OMA Managing Director for Public Policy Services James Lee was featured in a roundtable discussion in Lima, OH, focusing on inflation forecasts, population trends, job retention strategies, and the challenge of attracting talent to Ohio.

Lee covered a variety of topics but emphasized the need for a balanced approach to protecting the environment that does not stifle economic growth.

“We’re facing many regulations from the U.S. EPA that are unnecessary and are costing manufacturers billions of dollars,” Lee said. 9/27/2024