2011 Policy Agenda
In 2011, new political landscapes have emerged at the state and national levels. In Ohio, a new Governor was elected and new leadership has stepped into both houses of the General Assembly. In the U.S. Congress, a new party now controls the House of Representatives and local Congressman, John Boehner, is Speaker of the House. In Cincinnati, City Council will begin to implement a new budget and in the Fall hold elections. In the next two years, Ohio and the nation are poised to move in a new direction.
Proactive in our efforts to influence the direction government takes, we have worked with you, our members, to develop a comprehensive policy agenda representing the highest priorities of the region’s business community. The Chamber’s agenda is focused on issues that have the highest impact on the ease and cost of doing business. From taxes and transportation infrastructure to environmental and regulatory issues, our advocacy team will be working to ensure this region is one of the best places in the world to do business.
In order to maximize the voice of the Chamber, our advocacy team will focus on legislation and policy in Congress, the State of Ohio, and Hamilton County/City of Cincinnati. We will collaborate with key community partners in Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana, as well as organizations working closely with local political subdivisions outside of Hamilton County, to promote other critical business issues.
The Chamber also collaborated with the eight other Ohio metropolitan Chambers and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce to release “Redesigning Ohio: Transforming Government into a 21st Century Institution.” Working over the past year with national and local government reform leaders, the report issues a set of recommendations aimed at changing the way Ohio governs. To access a copy of this report, please click here.
Responsible for taking the voice of our Southwest Ohio business community to the Statehouse and Congress, our Government Affairs team is giving you a concise statement of our top policy priorities. Hold us accountable, surely, but also come aboard and help us. While this agenda represents the top priorities currently identified, we always want to know how upcoming legislation and policies are affecting you.
For nearly six months, key Chamber volunteers worked with our Government Affairs staff to identify the important issues addressed here, and they will continue to help us in 2011 as we work to advocate for business. Thank you to our Government Affairs Council and Committees for their help in developing this agenda.
Again, we appreciate our members’ support of the Chamber and thank you for your help in making Cincinnati USA one of the world’s favorite American business centers. Turn to this report for understanding, share it with your colleagues and friends, download it here and come back to it throughout the year frequently as the Statehouse and Congress introduce and vote on important legislation.