09/04/2008
CONTACT: Mandy Minick, 614-221-4107
Ohio's small businesses applaud removal of job-killing mandate from November ballot
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- All or part of the following statement may be attributed to Roger R. Geiger, vice president/executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business/Ohio, the state's leading small-business advocacy association, regarding today's announcement that Issue 4, to require employers to provide seven days of paid sick leave, will not be on the ballot in November:
"We couldn't be more pleased that Issue 4 will not be on Ohio's ballot in November. As we have said previously, and supported with research, this mandate would cost 75,000 Ohioans their jobs, while placing a $1.17 billion burden on the state's employers at a time when Ohio could least afford it.
"We applaud Senate President Harris and Speaker Husted for their staunch opposition to this mandate from the beginning. When Governor Strickland recently stated his opposition to the proposal, which we know was a difficult stance that we greatly appreciated, we were confident that there was a bi-partisan and united effort to defeat this mandate.
"The mere presence of Issue 4 on the ballot would have sent a very chilling message about our state to businesses and job creators at a time when we are all working to grow jobs and bring prosperity to Ohio.
"For today at least, Ohio's workers and job creators are not at risk of having the heavy hand of government manipulate and mandate their relationships. Should this debate arise again, NFIB will be there to defend the right of employers and employees to craft relationships that fit the needs of families, individuals and businesses alike."
