Leadership

This week, Gov. Mike DeWine signed Ohio’s $60 billion biennial budget into law, which includes $600 million in funding for a proposed domed Cleveland Browns stadium in Brook Park, using unclaimed state funds.

Highlights Include:

• The OMA successfully advocated against a proposed expansion of utility regulation that would have held energy customers captive to pay for additional infrastructure costs for services they might never use
• The requirement of an audit conducted by the Auditor of State of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, increasing transparency of the regulatory body
• A phased move to a 2.75% flat income tax, delivering over $1 billion in expected tax relief
• OMA language directing Ohio EPA to remove the Air Nuisance Rule from the state’s federal air compliance plan, protecting manufacturers from abusive litigation

DeWine also issued 67 line-item vetoes, including several major provisions aimed at curbing property tax growth, including proposals to cap school district cash reserves at 40% and granting county officials authority to lower property tax rates without another vote. He also struck down a ban on replacement levies, which critics argue obscure long-term tax impacts.

DeWine defended the vetoes as necessary to protect school funding and avoid destabilizing local revenue, warning that the reforms could force districts to return to voters more frequently.

Legislative leaders have indicated they may seek to override some vetoes when lawmakers return from summer recess, which would require a three-fifths vote in both chambers of the General Assembly.

For more information, the OMA Public Policy team has created a detailed analysis of Ohio’s budget. 7/2/2025

Ohio manufacturers this week scored key wins in the state’s recently approved two-year budget.

The OMA commended the budget as financially responsible and celebrated these wins, including the removal of more utility giveaways, increased oversight of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), and several key workforce initiatives.

Highlights include:

• The OMA secured a win for manufacturers by ensuring a provision was removed that would have left customers on the hook to subsidize electric utilities for infrastructure they may never have used or benefited from
• The Auditor of State will now be required to conduct a performance audit of the PUCO, including the Ohio Power Siting Board
• Approximately $25 million per fiscal year for TechCred, continuing support for upskilling Ohio’s workforce in tech-focused credentials
• Expansion of middle school career-technical education to over 200 additional school districts by eliminating the current waiver allowing districts to opt out of offering career tech in middle grades

Read more about provisions in the state budget in the Environment and Tax & Finance sections below. 6/23/2025

Canada this week signaled it could increase tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum as early as July 21 if a new trade agreement isn’t reached within a 30-day window from talks between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Trump.

In response to Trump’s doubling of U.S. metal tariffs to 50%, Ottawa is considering raising its own tariffs beyond the current 25% and is implementing procurement rules favoring Canadian or tariff‑free metals.

These defense measures also include tariff‑rate quotas and mandates to use Canadian metals in federal projects. 6/23/2025

Ohio’s House Democrats have chosen Rep. Dani Isaacsohn (D‑Cincinnati) to lead their caucus, following Minority Leader Allison Russo’s decision to step down earlier this month.

The 36-year-old attorney and federal campaign operative becomes the first Cincinnati-based Ohio House minority leader in over 50 years.

He’s joined in caucus leadership by Rep. Phillip Robinson Jr. as Assistant Leader, Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio as Minority Whip, and Rep. Desiree Tims as Assistant Whip. 6/24/2025

This week, the OMA Board of Directors elected Scott Corbitt, Regional Vice President at Anheuser-Busch, as chairman of the board. Corbitt previously served as chair of the OMA’s Government Affairs Committee.

Corbitt succeeds Jeff Oravitz, CEO of Seal for Life Industries, who was elected in 2023. Under Oravitz, the OMA saw remarkable growth and success, elevating the association’s influence, events, and initiatives. Thank you, Jeff, for your leadership, service, and dedication to the OMA and Ohio manufacturing! 6/17/2025

The OMA Board of Directors held its Q2 meeting this week, discussing key OMA priorities and advocacy efforts, receiving updates from staff, and meeting with several key state officials.

The board also voted in a new class of officers, including Scott Corbitt as chairman, Brad Belden, President and COO of the Belden Brick Company, as first vice chairman, and Ross McGregor, CEO of Pentaflex, Dale Foerster, Vice President of Starr Manufacturing, and Angela Phillips, CEO of Phillips Tube Group, elected as vice chairmen.

Ohio Auditor and Attorney General candidate Keith Faber joined the board, speaking on the actions his office has taken over the last eight years to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in Ohio, and sharing best practices for preventing and stopping fraud.

Prior to the meeting, the board also met with Director Steve Dackin from the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce and Chancellor Mike Duffey from the Ohio Department of Higher Education to discuss career pathways into manufacturing. 6/17/2025

Ohio manufacturers and OMA board members this week hosted a luncheon in Columbus featuring Senate President Rob McColley.

McColley, who took questions from the crowd, spoke on the operating budget deliberations currently happening, including funding for the new Cleveland Browns stadium, school funding, and recent energy legislation that is critical for Ohio’s manufacturing success. 6/17/2025

State Sen. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) has become the first Ohio Democrat to publicly consider a bid for the U.S. Senate seat opening in 2026. Weinstein confirmed he’s exploring a campaign and gauging support, though he hasn’t officially entered the race.

The seat will be on the ballot following Gov. Mike DeWine’s appointment of then-Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to replace Vice President J.D. Vance, who resigned in January. The special election is set for November 2026.

Weinstein, an Air Force veteran, noted that he will wait to see what Brown does before making a decision. 6/17/2025

President Donald Trump’s administration is renegotiating semiconductor funding agreements awarded under the CHIPS and Science Act.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told senators June 4 that some Biden-era deals were “overly generous” and are being revised to better protect taxpayers. Lutnick said only flawed agreements would be canceled, but that the administration is reevaluating all grant terms to ensure a stronger return on investment.

The CHIPS Act, passed in 2022, set aside $52.7 billion to revitalize U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and research, backing firms like Intel, TSMC, and Samsung. Lutnick also reaffirmed the administration’s goal to keep more than 50% of global AI chip capacity in the U.S., amid concerns over exports to countries like the UAE. 6/10/2025

This week, the OMA supported Senate Bill 157, which has been proposed to reduce Ohio’s statute of limitations on contracts. This bill would reduce Ohio’s statute of limitations for written contract actions from six years to three years after the cause of action accrued.

Additionally, the bill would reduce the statute of limitations for contracts not in writing from four years to two years. Senate Bill 157 promotes timely resolution of disputes for contract actions and helps businesses operate with greater certainty and efficiency.

The Ohio Alliance for Civil Justice also supported the bill, noting that it allows Ohio to catch up with several other states that have implemented similar reforms. 6/10/2025

This week, the OMA Government Affairs Committee held its second meeting of the year, featuring Ohio Governor candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

Committee members heard Mr. Ramaswamy’s plan for the state under his leadership, including cutting back on red tape regulations and enhancing Ohio’s workforce development.

OMA staff and counsel also updated the committee on the state operating budget, recent legislation passed to protect competitive energy markets, and potential ballot initiatives to abolish property tax and raise the threshold for constitutional amendments. 6/5/2025

Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo announced yesterday that she will step down from her leadership post effective June 30, citing allowing new leadership to “…thoughtfully and carefully plan how to navigate our Caucus priorities after this budget cycle.”

The Columbus-area Democrat, who has represented the 7th District since 2019, became minority leader in 2022 and, due to term limits, will be unable to run for reelection in 2027.

Russo did not rule out seeking higher office, stating she plans to remain engaged in shaping Ohio’s political future. Her decision comes as Democrats prepare for the 2026 election cycle, with former Ohio Health Director Amy Acton still the lone Democratic contender for governor. The House Democratic caucus is expected to elect a new leader in the coming weeks. 6/5/2025

This week, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association President Ryan Augsburger delivered testimony before the Ohio Senate Finance Committee on House Bill 96, the state operating budget bill. The OMA’s testimony highlighted four key policy priorities critical to protect and grow Ohio manufacturing:

• Scaling the OMA’s WorkAdvance Program – A proven workforce development initiative connecting underemployed Ohioans to manufacturing careers
• Support for Continued State Workforce Investments – Including TechCred, Industry Sector Partnerships, and expanded career-tech access in middle schools
• Protecting Competitive Energy Markets – Opposing utility ownership of electric vehicle charging infrastructure to avoid burdening ratepayers
• Launching the Manufacturing Technology Assistance Program (MTAP) – A $12 million grant program to help small and midsize manufacturers modernize through equipment and technology upgrades.

The Senate will likely release their version of the budget bill early next week, which will be covered in the June 5 Government Affairs Committee meeting. 5/29/2025

With two state ballot issues pending that would disrupt established public policies governing property tax and first responder immunity, Republican leaders are reconsidering a proposal to alter the process governing amendments to the state Constitution.

Secretary of State Frank LaRose and House Speaker Matt Huffman told the Ohio Capital Journal that they believe a supermajority should be required to alter the Constitution. The pair noted an uptick of issues to amend the Constitution, justifying such a process change. The issue will be discussed at the meeting of the OMA Government Affairs Committee on June 5. 5/27/25

This week, the OMA testified in support of a bill regarding the corporate veil doctrine, which is critically important for maintaining business stability as it establishes and protects the legal separation between a corporation and its owners or shareholders. Senate Bill 146 clarifies which acts are insufficient to pierce the corporate veil to hold individuals liable, allowing the doctrine to be used as intended while also preventing individuals from being exposed to unnecessary liability.

The Ohio Alliance for Civil Justice, chaired by OMA’s Lindsey Short, also testified in support of the legislation. 5/28/2025

The race to succeed Mike DeWine as Ohio Governor is full-on. The November 2026 general election is still a year and a half away, but the angling has been in high gear for several months.

On the Republican side, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has won endorsements from President Trump and the Ohio Republican Party and enjoys a considerable lead in a poll released by Cleveland.com. The poll measures Ramaswamy against potential challenger Lt. Governor Jim Tressel and Attorney General Dave Yost who dropped out of the contest recently.

On the Democrat side, Dr. Amy Acton is the only announced candidate, but rumors are growing that former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown may enter the race. Read this article in Politico that profiles the race.

The race will be discussed at the June 5 meeting of the OMA Government Affairs Committee featuring Vivek Ramaswamy. 5/28/2025

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has suspended his 2026 gubernatorial campaign, citing the Ohio Republican Party’s endorsement of entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and the backing Ramaswamy received from former President Donald Trump. Yost described the path to the nomination as a ” vertical cliff” and expressed a desire to avoid dividing the party over minor policy differences. He will continue serving as attorney general until January 2027 and hinted at a potential return to politics in the future.

Ramaswamy, now the leading Republican candidate, praised Yost’s public service. The GOP primary remains open, with Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel considering a run and businesswoman Heather Hill continuing her campaign. On the Democratic side, former Ohio health director Dr. Amy Acton is the sole declared candidate. 5/16/2025

This week, several key trade officials from Canada visited Columbus to discuss trade and tariffs with some of Ohio’s top officials and manufacturers.

Minister for the Economy for Quebec Chris Skeete visited OMA headquarters to discuss trade relations with Ohio, highlighting the Buckeye State as a top five trading partner of Quebec. Ohio is the number two exporter for the province in trucks, tractors, and diesel engines.

On Wednesday, Canadian Consul General Colin Bird met with OMA staff prior to speaking at the Columbus Metropolitan Club on Canada’s trade relationship with the U.S. and Ohio, and the implications of tariffs on that relationship. 5/21/2025

This week, The OMA testified against House Bill 199, warning that the bill would create regulatory inconsistency and harm Ohio’s manufacturing competitiveness. HB 199 proposes allowing off-road vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility task vehicles (UTVs) to operate on public highways, expanding their permitted use under state law.

While the bill aims to standardize definitions and vehicle registration rules, it would result in a patchwork of local regulations, increasing compliance costs and creating inefficiencies in supply chains and complicating manufacturing operations. 5/20/2025

Ohio Republican Gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy secured the Ohio Republican Party’s endorsement a year before the 2026 primary in a meeting last Friday.

Ramaswamy cleared the two-thirds majority required by the governing body, with only three out of 63 party officials voting against the endorsement. This was despite last minute attempts by Governor Mike DeWine to delay the vote and an 11th-hour announcement from Lt. Governor Jim Tressel saying he hadn’t ruled out running.

Ramaswamy faces Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Appalachian businesswoman Heather Hill in the Republican primary. Yost said in a statement after the endorsement that he planned to “take a few days to consult with key supporters about the path forward — but the people of Ohio deserve a choice, not a premature coronation of an untested candidate.” 5/9/2025