January 26, 2022 To: Members of the Ohio House Commerce and Labor Committee From: Ohioans for Tax Reform, Americans for Tax Reform Re: HB 235 Chairman Stein and Members of the House Commerce and Labor Committee, On behalf of Ohioans for Tax Reform, Americans for Tax Reform, and our supporters across the Buckeye State, I […]
Category Archives: Workforce
Ohio Considers Mandating Union-Only Workers at Refineries
Ohio’s four oil refineries could face onerous new requirements to hire union-only workers under a recently introduced bill. Refineries often use construction crews to complete turnaround projects, in which the entire processing capacity of a plant is taken offline for inspection, improvements, and catalyst regeneration. Turnarounds are already expensive, constituting the most significant portion of […]
Ohio Legislators Keep Focus on Job-Creating Occupational Licensing Reforms
Senate Bill 131, sponsored by Sen. Kristina Roegner and Sen. Rob McColley, along with its companion House Bill 203 by Rep. Jena Powell, would enact occupational license reciprocity. Under these bills, individuals who hold out-of-state occupational licenses (e.g. electricians, truck drivers, public accountants, etc.) would be recognized in Ohio if the individual is in good […]
Letter: Ohio Should Seize Opportunity to Pass Universal Licensing Recognition
To: Members of the Ohio Senate Re: ATR Supports Senate Bill 246 Dear Senator, On behalf of Americans for Tax Reform and our supporters across the Buckeye State, I encourage you to support and pass Senate Bill 246, to bring universal licensing recognition to Ohio. Government should not place unnecessary barriers between workers and jobs. […]
Ohio Commuters Taxed by Cities Where They Used to Work
Ohio’s current local income tax structure allows municipalities to tax employees even if they do not physically work in the city that is taxing them. This is a common rationale: employees can be taxed based upon where they work because they are using city resources like police, fire, and other public services while they […]
Expanding Prevailing Wage Means Higher Costs, Less Infrastructure
For some reason, the Ohio House has amended a Senate Bill, SB 310, to get rid of a longstanding exemption to prevailing wage rules for “Transit Improvement Districts” – local areas targeted for infrastructure improvements. The concept that is now needlessly under attack makes perfect sense. Prevailing wage drives up costs for local governments that […]
License to Thrill: Chance for More Great Occupational Licensing Reforms in Columbus
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]