Perhaps the best occupational licensing reform package in the nation passed in Ohio late last year. Republicans in the legislature are not resting on their laurels, and new solid licensing reform bills are alive and advancing. This week, Representative Jena Powell highlighted her legislation, co-sponsored with Representative Lang, which would bring full licensing reciprocity to […]
Category Archives: Regulatory Reforn
Rally Thursday: Stop the Job-Killing, Car Crushing Increased Ethanol Mandate
The federal government is considering a change that will kill jobs and damage your car. The administration has a proposal on the table that would increase the mandated amount of ethanol in the country’s fuel supply. This subsidy has long been a headache for taxpayers. The amount would go beyond what cars are currently designed […]
Nation-leading Regulatory Reform Passes Senate, House Should Support
A ground-breaking regulatory reform package, Senate Bill 1, sailed through Ohio’s upper chamber last week. The bill requires state agencies to reduce regulations by 30 percent. It requires two regulations be cut for every new regulation introduced. It is largely focused on legislative review, and providing accountability for bureaucracy. Agencies will have to review and […]
Senate President’s Priorities Announced, Criminal Justice Reform Leading the Way
The Ohio state legislature is set to have a busy session as they will have to craft a biennial budget with new Governor Mike DeWine. A gas tax hike proposal is being pushed heavily by some interests. Criminal sentencing reform, K-12 funding, a possible framework for legalizing sports betting, and addressing Lake Erie runoff also promise to […]
Nation-leading Occupational Licensing Reform Passes
Some very good news for Ohio taxpayers just in time for the holidays. Occupational licensing reform has passed both chambers. As the clock ticked towards the end of legislative session this week, the Senate concurred with the House’s amended version of occupational licensing reform legislation, sending the measure to Governor Kasich’s desk. Senate Bill 255, […]
Ohio Senate Has Tremendous Opportunity to Protect Consumers from Bag, Container Bans & Taxes
Legislation that passed the Ohio House last week, HB 625, would protect consumers and businesses from the mess of fees, taxes, and bans that local city governments often place on containers and plastic bags. These misguided, and costly policies end up hurting shoppers who can least afford the extra burdens – and all for supposed […]
Promising Occupational Licensing Reform Deserves Passage Before Session Ends
Unnecessary, and often inconsistent, licensing requirements should not be standing in the way of qualified and motivated job seekers entering the workforce in the Buckeye state. Unfortunately, that is exactly what is happening right now. Ohio’s harmful occupational licensing practices led to nearly 7,000 Ohioans between the ages of 25-45 being denied licenses to work […]
Anti-Fracking Ballot Initiative Falls – But the Story Behind the Activists Runs Deep
Columbus anti-fracking activists did not have much time to enjoy their initial success in getting a proposal to ban oil and gas extraction, and waste disposal, on the ballot. Despite having collected enough signatures for a successful ballot initiative, environmental group Columbus County Community Bill of Rights have failed, for a third consecutive time, in […]
Activists Push Columbus Anti-Natural Gas Initiative to Undermine Law & Affordable Energy
Columbus anti-fracking activists have succeeded in getting a proposal to ban oil and gas extraction as well as waste disposal on the ballot this November. Spearheaded by out-of-state group Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF), activists collected 12,134 petition signatures to put “Columbus Community Bill of Rights” on the November Ballot. The “bill of rights” […]
Unnecessary Licensing Should Not Stand in the Way of People Trying to Make a Living
The over-expansion of occupational licensing requirements have made it harder for less educated, lower-income, minority, and new workers to make a living. In Ohio, “licensing requirements have prevented more than 7,000 people between the ages of 25-45 from pursuing licensed occupations,” according to a Buckeye Institute report citing U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. That […]