January/February '01 Issue

KEEPING PACE
by Charles T. McConville, P.a.C.E. Director

Apportionment, Term Limits the Focus of 2001-2002 Agenda
The new freshman class of state legislators will have a steep climb up the learning curve this year. They will have the usual challenges of new lawmakers ñ navigating the tunnels of the Statehouse parking garage, hiring staff and finding their committee rooms ñ but this year, they'll have an added bonus. Just as the freshman class begins to settle in, the Apportionment Board will meet and redraw the state legislative districts giving many lawmakers new constituents and some the chance to move or look for other work. By any measure, reapportionment combined with the second round of voter-imposed term limits will dominate the politics of the Statehouse this year.

P.a.C.E. will work to inform Ohio Chamber members about the changes brought by reapportionment and how they can make the most of the shifting political landscape. In its five-point plan for 2001-02, P.a.C.E. sets out an agenda for more pro-business political gains, by highlighting apportionment and term limits as well as continuing work on judicial politics.

I. EDUCATE BUSINESSES AND LOCAL CHAMBERS ABOUT APPORTIONMENT
The reapportionment of legislative seats following the census is both intricate and arcane. While census data and demographics will drive the numbers behind the new districts, the politics of the process will enable businesses to build new bridges to new legislators. In addition, reapportionment could result in districts where a legislator with a positive record for business will face opposition from another incumbent with a poor record. Not only will P.a.C.E. keep Ohio Chamber members aware of these opportunities, but it will conduct special seminars on apportionment for local chambers and public affairs professionals.

II. DEAL WITH TERM LIMTS, ROUND TWO
In 2000, P.a.C.E. mounted an aggressive effort to identify pro-business candidates in all of the districts where incumbents were term limited. This push enabled us to work with candidates in the primary as well as the general election. In 2002, the term limit class is smaller, but many of its members represent marginal seats from a partisan measure. In combination with reapportionment, term limits could endanger some pro-business seats. A similar, aggressive effort will be made to identify and recruit pro-business candidates in term limit districts during this cycle.

III. KEEP THE HEAT ON THE COURT
Lest we forget, the Ohio Supreme Court continues to be one of the major obstacles for pro-business legislative enactments. P.a.C.E. research over the last six years bears out the observation that an activist majority frequently makes decisions that interfere with the intent of the General Assembly and result in higher costs for consumers and business owners. P.a.C.E. will continue its court research as the Chamber seeks more balance on the bench.

IV. INVOLVING LOCAL CHAMBERS
P.a.C.E. will work with local chambers in 2001-02 to encourage more active involvement in the political process. There are many things local chambers can do to inform their members of the views of elected officials ñ without making partisan endorsements or starting a political action committee. P.a.C.E. will provide a comprehensive checklist of opportunities for local chambers to get more involved at a level where they are comfortable.

V. WORKING WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
Business works best when it works together. P.a.C.E. will continue its productive relationship with the political representatives from other business trade organizations in this political cycle. A collaborative approach allows us to gather more information and to maximize the opportunities for pro-business victories.

If you have questions or suggestions for the 2001-02 P.a.C.E. Agenda, please contact P.a.C.E. Director Chip McConville or Assistant Director Keith Lake at (614) 228-4201.