Ohio Chamber of Commerce - Communications & Events

For Immediate Release
August 14, 2003

Contact: Julie Wagner Feasel, Director of Communications
614-228-4201
jfeasel@ohiochamber.com

Ohio Chamber of Commerce Supports State Issue 1

COLUMBUS, OH – The Board of Directors of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce voted to support State Issue 1 at its August 13, 2003, meeting. State Issue 1 is part of Governor Bob Taft’s $1.6 billion Ohio Third Frontier Project, the state’s largest economic development initiative ever launched. If passed in November, this issue will help Ohio transition to a more dynamic economy with higher paying jobs.

“The Ohio Chamber’s Board of Directors sees Issue 1 as being one piece of the economic development puzzle,” said Andrew E. Doehrel, president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. “We cannot forget the other pieces to this puzzle. Issues such as tort reform, workers’ compensation reform, tax reform and workforce development are also critically important to a good business climate.”

With private and federal financial support, Issue 1 will help generate more than $6 billion to fund the development of new products and the creation of thousands of high paying jobs in Ohio. Issue 1 is not a tax increase, nor will it require a tax increase in the future.

“The Board believes Issue 1 is necessary to keep Ohio competitive with other states and to improve Ohio’s economic climate,” Doehrel continued. “However, in supporting this issue, our board believes it is also necessary to ensure that a portion of the money raised be used to strengthen our existing businesses and must not be used on programs that would compete or be redundant with private industry efforts. The Ohio Chamber looks forward to working with Governor Taft to make sure the Third Frontier is successful in helping all of Ohio’s businesses, both new and existing.”

Founded in 1893, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce is Ohio's largest statewide business advocacy group. The Chamber works to promote and protect the interests of its members - large and small - while building a more favorable Ohio business climate.

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