The voice of small business was heard!
NFIB Small Business Day at the Capitol in Columbus, Ohio, was a great success! Entrepreneurs from across Ohio showed up in force to drive home the message that the business investor deduction, so important to maintaining Ohio’s economic vitality, be maintained. Small business owners also stressed the concerns they have on changes to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) system proposed in this year’s BWC budget could have on future years.
The event was emceed by Albert Macre, owner of Albert F. Macre & Company, CPAs in Steubenville, Ohio. Albert serves as the Vice Chairman of NFIB’s Leadership Council for Ohio. Members who attended heard from all three branches of Ohio government.
Governor Mike DeWine kicked off the event and stated to the media present that “Our budget said what our preference was, we’re not really changing taxes,” DeWine said. “I know the House had made some changes, we’re not exactly sure where the Senate is going to come down on that.”
The governor added, “One of the things that business men and women who are creating jobs are telling me is that they want some stability, so we didn’t make any changes,” in The Columbus Dispatch. You can read the entire story here:
His remarks were followed by Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof and then Ohio Supreme Court Associate Justices Sharon Kennedy and Judi French. Obhof stressed the need to lessen regulations and licensure requirements, which are impediments to small business owners hiring individuals. He also told the crowd to stay tuned for the Ohio Senate’s amendments to sub. HB 166, the Ohio Operating Budget. Kennedy and French offered their insights on how the Ohio Supreme Court functioned and how important the court was as a co-equal branch of government.
Sue Roudebush, a partner with the law firm, and long tome NFIB member, Bricker & Eckler LLP presented on what employers needed to know now that medical marijuana was legal in Ohio. Representative Mark Romanchuk, a member of NFIB for over 20 years, who represents Ohio House District 2, offered advise on speaking to legislators when the group went to lunch at the Ohio Statehouse.
At the Ohio Statehouse members enjoyed lunch and casual conversations with their elected officials as they talked about taxes, regulations, budgets, and offered real-life stories on how these topics impacted their bottom line and ability to create jobs and grow Ohio’s economy.
A number of recognitions were also included at Small Business Day at the Capitol. Brenda James and Mary Wheeler were recognized for their longtime service on the NFIB Leadership Council for Ohio. Three Guardians of Small Business were presented to legislators, all who happen to be fellow members of NFIB, Senator Bob Hackett, Representative Scott Lipps, and Representative George Lang. Ohio
Executive Director for NFIB Roger Geiger was recognized for his 30 years of service to the organization. The highlight of the recognitions each year though is the presentation of the Small Business Champion. This year it was presented to Claudia Kovach, Vice President of City Machine Technologies, Inc. in Youngstown, Ohio. Claudia is chair of the NFIB Youngstown Area Action Council, serves on the NFIB Leadership Council for Ohio, and initiated National Skilled Trades Day in 2019 that will continue to be honored each May 1 going forward. She is the second generation of her family to be recognized as her father and mother, Mike and Joanie Kovach, received the award in 2006.
Please watch for future stories on our Guardian winners and our small business champion.
Small business had its day at the Ohio Statehouse, and its voice was heard loud and clear! Finally a big thank you to our sponsors who helped make the event possible, including over 20 NFIB members.
