Legislative Update - March

The Ohio General Assembly awaits yet another ruling from the Ohio Supreme Court regarding legislative and congressional redistricting, while the legislature, Cuyahoga County, and City of Cleveland government continue to move forward on several issues that will impact construction.

Cuyahoga County Sales Tax and New Jail

Before Cuyahoga County can take on additional debt, County officials are looking at different funding streams. One conversation is regarding building a new $550 million jail. The County is considering extending a quarter-percent sales tax set to expire in five years to possibly pay for the new jail. Extension of this sales tax would result in about $52 million a year, which could be used to repay bonds. County Council is considering a resolution authorizing the County to issue up to $550,000,000.00 in bonds to cover the estimated cost of the new jail.

City of Cleveland Budget Deliberations and Transition Report Provisions

After receiving testimony for various City departments during multiple committee hearings, the City Council’s Finance Committee approved Mayor Bibb’s first budget proposal by a vote of 7-2. The committee-approved budget is largely unchanged from the Mayor’s budget. However, Council did add approximately $6 million in expenses for capital repairs and a senior home program. The $1.8 billion dollar budget must be finalized by April 1st.

The Bibb Administration also continues its work on implementation of its transition report agenda. Topics of interest for our industry include:

• Implementing a Master Neighborhood Development Plan that improves resident and community well-being
• Establishing a small business advisory council
• Reforming the City’s development, plan review, and permitting process
• Creating two cabinet positions related to equity—a Chief Equity Officer and a Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
• Implementing a rewards system for employees, encouraging customer service mentality and going above-and-beyond to help constituents
• Waiving the cost of registering for a minority business enterprise (MBE) certification to reduce the burden on Cleveland-based MBEs
• Facilitating talent exchange programs like business volunteers and loaned- executive programs
   

Office Holders Honor Women in Construction Week

Understanding the importance of the need and opportunity for more women in the global construction workforce, CEA, along with National Association of Women in Construction - Cleveland Chapter and the YWCA celebrated Women In Construction Week at multiple events this past week. We were proud that City Councilwoman Stephanie Howse, County Councilwoman Meredith Turner, County Councilwoman Yvonne Conwell, Representative Tom Patton and Senator Nickie Antonio participated and recognized these organizations and women during the events.
 

CEA Opposes Legislation That Would Undermine Construction Training Programs

CEA and our industry partners recently opposed HB 181, which is pending in the Ohio House Commerce and Labor Committee. CEA opposes the bill because it weakens licensure for the construction trades and undermines privately funded apprenticeship programs like those funded by all union contractors. 
 

CEA Testifies In Support of Worker Safety

CEO Tim Linville, testified to the House Criminal Justice Committee in favor of legislation that would prohibit defrauding an alcohol, drug, or urine screening test by using synthetic urine products. In his testimony, Mr. Linville stressed how CEA is committed to construction safety by offering members various programs to increase safety at their job sites. 
 

Governor DeWine Signs Bill Simplifying the Local Process for MBE, WBE, and Veteran Businesses

On March 2nd, Governor Mike DeWine signed a CEA supported bill that
removes duplicative, bureaucratic hurdles for MBE, WBE and “veteran-friendly” businesses seeking minority business enterprise certification. SB 105 requires political subdivisions to recognize state certifications of MBE, WBE and “veteran-friendly” businesses as criteria for comparable local programs and initiatives. CEA is proud to have supported this measure and would like to thank the SB 105 sponsors, Senators Kirk Schuring and Vernon Sykes for their leadership working on this important bill.

Contact Tim Linville, CEA CEO or Glen Shumate, CEA Executive Vice President for more information on legislative issues.