04/28/2005
CONTACT: Kevin R. Walter, (614) 221-4107
NFIB honors Sen. Doug White and Rep. Bob Gibbs with highest designation
OHIO -- The small-business group NFIB/Ohio has designated former Senate President Doug White (R-14th District) and Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-97th District) Guardians of Small Business, its highest designation for legislators. The award is presented to legislators who have demonstrated outstanding leadership on behalf of the small-business community.
NFIB/Ohio State Director Ty Pine noted that White and Gibbs are only the thirty-third and thirty-fourth recipients respectively to achieve this award since first presented in 1988. "While Main Street has many friends in the state legislature, Senator White and Representative Gibbs have taken the lead on key legislative issues that impact Ohio small-business owners' ability to grow the economy," Pine said. "While Senator White's career in the Ohio legislature drew to a close in the 125th General Assembly due to term limits, and Representative Gibbs began his legislative career in the same General Assembly, both legislators were focused on promoting an agenda that sparks entrepreneurial initiative."
Both White and Gibbs are experienced at signing the front of a check as small-business owners, which enhanced their perception and understanding of issues imperative to small-business survival. White over his long career passed NFIB/Ohio-backed lawsuit reform bills twice, along with multiple workers' compensation reform bills, and was instrumental in stopping costly health care mandates. Gibbs was the primary sponsor of lawsuit reform legislation that was wrapped into a comprehensive lawsuit reform measure signed into law by Gov. Bob Taft. In addition, he introduced legislation to protect small business from excessive tax compliance.
White and Gibbs each attained a 100 percent NFIB voting record in the 125th General Assembly.
