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LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS

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Chamber Members use this link to connect to the Chamber of Commerce of Sandusky County's legislative and political advocacy action center. Here you'll find all the tools you'll need to contact your local and state legislators, as well as your members of Congress.

 


 

 

November 2009 E-Newsletter 

 

 

 

 

For questions regarding Government Regulations, please contact Carrie Haughawout at 614-228-4201 or chaughawout@ohiochamber.com

 

Government Regulations:

At the federal level, health care reform is still in the crosshairs as the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate work to reconcile the differences between five different bills passed by five different committees. Issues such as a public option, employer taxes and penalties and mandating all individuals to have health care are among numerous topics currently being debated. Since an agreement has not been reached, the Ohio Chamber continues to work with other state chambers and Ohio’s congressional delegation in an effort to improve the bills currently under consideration.

 

 

 

For questions regarding Workplace Costs and Benefits, please contact Chris Brock at 614-228-4201 or afiore@ohiochamber.com

 

 

Workplace Costs and Benefits:

Members of the Ohio House are currently considering legislation that would impose more regulations and mandates on employers increasing costs while taking away flexibility. HB 40 sponsored by Rep. Tom Letson (D- Warren) is another one-size-fits-all piece of legislation forcing employers to work around court-ordered parenting agreements. Such legislation would make it even tougher for employers to ensure adequate staffing especially on nights or weekends. The Ohio Chamber submitted written testimony in opposition to HB 40 and will continue to advocate against this costly mandate as it moves through the legislative process.

 

Speaking of one-size-fits-all solutions, the Ohio House is also considering HB 167 sponsored by Rep. Dennis Murray (D- Sandusky), legislation that would require employers to grant unpaid leave for activities related to domestic violence or stalking. The bill allows employees who are victims of domestic violence and stalking to leave the workplace for activities such as non-emergency medical treatment, meeting with attorneys and counselors and meeting with law enforcement. Employers and business leaders certainly empathize with victims of domestic violence and stalking and often provide funding for programs that assist these victims. However, this legislation represents another costly mandate for Ohio businesses. The Ohio Chamber has urged legislators to defeat HB 167 in the House.

 

HB 170, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Murray (D- Sandusky), is yet another mandate being considered in the Ohio House. The legislation would prohibit employers from taking any adverse employment action against an employee who testifies in an unemployment compensation hearing. The Ohio Chamber provided testimony in opposition to HB 170 with arguments demonstrating why the bill is unnecessary. First, Ohio already prohibits such actions against employees testifying in unemployment hearings. In addition, the passage of HB 170 would create a more adversarial unemployment compensation system resulting in more challenges ultimately slowing down the process. The Ohio Chamber will continue to work with members of the Ohio House in order to prevent HB 170 from passing.

 

While negotiations for an EFCA compromise continue behind closed doors, comments from Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D- AR) last week further complicate efforts by those supporting its passage. Lincoln told attendees of an Arkansas State Chamber event she is still opposed to Card Check as it stands now and legislators should not be responsible for hashing out a compromise. Instead, in her opinion, business and labor should work together and come up with a solution.

 

Since Card Check is rarely in the headlines these days, I encourage those of you on Facebook to join my Chamber Action Alliance page for regular updates on Card Check as well as other issues such as health care, the state budget, Cap and Trade and much more. Additionally, I urge you to search Virtual March Against Card Check on Facebook. This page created by the U.S. Chamber is a great place to get Card Check updates throughout the day.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chamber of Commerce of Sandusky County

Chamber of Commerce of Sandusky County  |  101 South Front Street Fremont, Ohio 43420  |  Ph: 419.332.1591  |  Fax: 419.332.8666

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