Complete Story
 

129th Ohio General Assembly Off to a Fast Start

Dealers Encouraged to Invite Legislators to their Dealerships for Meet & Greets

Large Contingent of New Legislators Arrive in Columbus – State Budget Debate on the Horizon

Dovilla

Freshman State Representative Mike Dovilla (R-Berea) took time for a dealership visit in January with Pete Baur from Pete Baur Buick GMC in Strongsville and Lou Vitantonio from the Greater Cleveland Dealers Association.  

The 129th Ohio General Assembly got to work quickly after convening in January.  The early focus has been on moving legislation that would create JobsOhio, Governor Kasich’s proposed nonprofit corporation that is designed to bring jobs to the state.  This legislation has passed the Ohio House of Representatives and is currently pending in the Ohio Senate.

The bulk of legislators’ time this year will be spent on balancing the next state budget. Governor Kasich and legislators are facing a projected $8 billion budget hole, so debate is expected to be challenging.  The Governor’s budget proposal is expected to be introduced on or before March 15th, with approval by the legislature required by June 30th. 

One interesting element to this session is the number of new legislators who are now in the legislature.  Close to forty new legislators now call Columbus their part-time home.  These legislators consist of those elected in November as well as those just recently appointed to fill vacancies created when the previous legislators were elected to other offices or tapped for positions in the Kasich Administration. 

In light of the large number of new legislators and upcoming state budget debate, all dealers are encouraged to invite their state legislators to their dealerships for a ‘Meet & Greet’, at which time you can show them the significant investment you have made in your dealership, employees and community.  Your ability to build relationships with your legislators will be key to our success in promoting and protecting your interests at the Statehouse.  Legislators and contact information may be accessed at www.oada.com under State Legislators Directory or click here.  Dealers may also contact Joe Cannon at OADA at (800) 686-9100 ext. 116 or via email at jcannon@oada.com to help identify legislators or facilitate meetings.

 

Printer-Friendly Version