04/03/2008
NFIB/Ohio members to hear legal presentation on proposed "paid sick leave" at Area Action Council meetings
NFIB/Ohio will be partnering with the law firm of Bricker & Eckler beginning in May to educate small business owners around the state about the dangerous paid sick leave proposal referred to as the "Healthy Families Act." NFIB/Ohio and attorneys from Bricker & Eckler will outline the sick day proposal and discuss the ramifications for company leave policies should the issue qualify for the ballot and pass. Below is some important background information on this issue:
The Service Employees International Union is pushing a proposal to change Ohio's law to create a new employer mandate to provide seven paid sick days for full-time employees in companies with 25 or more employees. The proposal also extends the paid leave to part-time employees on a pro-rated basis and forbids employers from asking for a doctor's note until the employee has missed three consecutive days. The proposal is fraught with anti-business provisions that create legal liabilities and significant costs for employers in the state
The so called "Healthy Families Act" is currently pending in the Ohio General Assembly. While the legislature is not expected to pass the measure, the SEIU will likely collect an additional 120,000 signatures from registered voters to place the issue on the November ballot (similar in nature to the 2006 minimum wage and smoking ban proposals).
While NFIB/Ohio is vigorously fighting this proposal in the legislature, and will continue to do so if it makes the ballot, it is also important to educate and prepare employers for the potential of the measure passing in the fall. The AAC meetings will feature a detailed legal analysis and presentation to attendees where lawyers will be on hand to answer questions on the topic.
Dates, times and locations for the meetings are listed below. To register, please contact Andy Patterson, NFIB/Ohio member support manager, at 614-221-4107. The cost to attend any breakfast is $10 per person and lunch is $15.
| Tuesday, May 6 Marietta AAC 7:30-9 a.m. Lafayette Hotel 101 Front St. Marietta, Ohio |
Wednesday, May 14 Western Ohio AAC 7:45-9:15 a.m. Romer's Catering 118 E Main St. Greenville, Ohio |
| Tuesday, May 6 Stark County AAC 12-1:30 p.m. Mulligan's Restaurant & Pub 4118 Belden Village St. NW Canton, Ohio |
Wednesday, May 14 Shelby County AAC 12-1:15 p.m. C J Highmarks 2599 Michigan St. Sidney, Ohio |
| Wednesday, May 7 Akron AAC 7:45-9:15 a.m. Waterloo Restaurant 423 E Waterloo Rd. Akron, Ohio |
Thursday, May 15 Columbus AAC 7:45-9:15 a.m. Made From Scratch 7500 Montgomery Dr. Plain City, Ohio |
| Wednesday, May 7 Youngstown AAC 12-1:15 p.m. Comfort Inn 5425 Clarkins Dr. Youngstown, Ohio |
Thursday, May 15 Ross and Pickaway AAC 12-1:15 p.m. Comfort Inn 24517 US 23 South Circleville, Ohio |
| Thursday, May 8 Lake/Geauga County AAC 7:45-9:15 a.m. Quail Hollow 11080 Concord Hambden Rd. Concord, Ohio |
Tuesday, May 20 Lima AAC 12-1:15 p.m. The Meeting Place 220 W Market St. Lima, Ohio |
| Thursday, May 8 Cleveland AAC 12-1:15 p.m. Holiday Inn Cleveland Airport 4181 W 150th St. Cleveland, Ohio |
Wednesday, May 21 Northwest AAC 7:45-9:15 a.m. Sauder Village 22799 State Route 2 Archbold, Ohio |
| Tuesday, May 13 Southwest Ohio AAC 7:45-9:15 a.m. Wingate Inn 7500 Tylers Place Blvd. West Chester, Ohio |
Wednesday, May 21 Toledo AAC 12-1:15 p.m. Holiday Inn French Quarter 10630 Fremont Pike Perrysburg, Ohio |
| Tuesday, May 13 Dayton AAC 12-1:15 p.m. Parmizzano's (Marriott) 1414 S Patterson Blvd. Dayton, Ohio |
Thursday, May 22 Erie and Huron AAC 7:45-9:15 a.m. Sheri's Coffee House 27 Whittlesey Ave. Norwalk, Ohio |
| Thursday, May 22 Richland County AAC 12-1:15 p.m. Pioneer Center 27 Ryan Rd. Shelby, Ohio |
Governor and legislative leaders agree to revamped jobs package
Gov. Ted Strickland, Speaker Jon Husted and Senate President Bill Harris this week came to agreement on a revamped jobs package that will total $1.57 billion. The three leaders agreed to compromise on Gov. Strickland's original $1.7 billion proposal that relied on new bonding authority after legislative leaders expressed serious concerns over borrowing so much money.
The new proposal will focus on infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc.), redevelopment of old industrial sites, renewable energy (wind, solar, etc.), a new internship program aimed at keeping more college grads in Ohio and the preservation of historic Ohio buildings.
While much of the money will still come from bonds, the bonds will have pre-existing revenue sources such as profits from state liquor sales and excess revenue from the Ohio Turnpike. Additional money will be redirected from the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Fund as well.
Though some economists have expressed skepticism as to the true economic impact of such packages, backers are touting the expected creation of 57,000 new jobs as a result of the measure.
Want to be a spokesperson for small business?
One of the many ways NFIB works to increase our clout and impact with legislators on the state and federal level is to raise our organization's profile through news stories and coverage of our issues in the news media.
Many times we are contacted by reporters who are looking to speak with small business owners who have been impacted by specific issues. We don't want to pass up these opportunities to tell our side of the story. That's why we're seeking members who are willing to talk with reporters about small business issues and/or their personal experiences as a small business owner.
If you are interested in being considered as a referral for media interviews, please indicate which issues you feel qualified to speak about and contact Mandy Minick, NFIB/Ohio communications director at 614-221-4107.
2008 NFIB Small Business Summit is only two months away! Register Today!
From June 8-10, you will be able to interact with policymakers, business leaders and other leading entrepreneurs, to share your experiences and discover new ideas to help boost your business.
As a small business owner, you take pride in your independence. But to get things done in Washington, we must speak with one voice on important issues such as healthcare, tax reform, immigration reform, government regulation and lawsuit abuse. NFIB staff will coordinate Congressional meetings with a trip to Capitol Hill based on your interest.
With 2008 being an election year, we're inviting the top presidential candidates. Former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow and former Dallas Cowboys Quarterback and current business owner Roger Staubach are already confirmed as speakers.
The registration fee for the Summit is $150 per person and includes all meeting materials, official functions and group meals, but due to the generosity of our Ohio sponsor, GatesMcDonald, the fee for Ohio members attending the Summit is waived.
The discounted room rate at the Grand Hyatt Washington, D.C., the 2008 Summit Headquarters is $269 per night. The cut-off date for reservations at this rate is Friday, May 9. Contact Andy Patterson at 614-221-4107 with any questions or to register.
NFIB/Ohio staff:
Executive Director Roger Geiger
Legislative Director Ty Pine
Asst. Legislative Director Kyle Jackson
Member Support Manager Andy Patterson
Member Benefits Manager Chris Ferruso
Communications Director Mandy Minick
Executive Asst. Wanda Holycross
Administrative Asst. Connie Wehrkamp
