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Top Prosperity Issues From Policy to Prosperity: Consensus Priorities to Help Promote The Prosperity Project exists to encourage greater participation in the political process from businesses and their employees. Our goal is to promote a pro-growth, pro-jobs issues environment in the State of Ohio. The public officials we elect have an impact on our economy, our competitiveness and our future. The Prosperity Project seeks to provide greater education and awareness about candidates and their positions on the issues that are important to our member companies, their employees and their families. The issues described below are critical in making Ohio’s economy successful and competitive. They were identified by a consensus of the Ohio Prosperity Project Partners, a diverse coalition of companies, associations and organizations that share a desire to support positions that are good for jobs and business. Individual partner organizations also provide additional detailed background on issues that are important to their particular industry. At times, these details may vary. But all participating Prosperity Project Partners share the same goal of protecting jobs, growing our economy and improving the quality of life for all Ohioans. Considered together, these policy priorities outline a broad competitiveness agenda of vital importance to Ohio’s economic aspirations. As the consensus policy priorities of the major organizations participating in the Ohio Prosperity Project, they are top-of-mind issues that will have direct impact on Ohio’s near term and long-term success at stimulating investment, growth and job creation and retention. The road from policy to prosperity has its share of potholes and detours, but the priorities will move Ohio a long way forward in its continuing journey toward competitive strength and advantage.
Current Prosperity Project Issues:
Rising costs of health care are impairing Ohio's economic development and competitiveness. Individuals, businesses, government and providers must work together to find ways to stem the rising cost of employer-provided health care coverage for Ohio workers and their families, while seeking better coverage for those in need. We must change government policies and regulations that needlessly contribute to the skyrocketing cost of providing health care services. Any action that drives up the cost of health insurance premiums further will ultimately lead to increased numbers of uninsured Ohioans. In addition, we must eliminate lawsuit abuse that threatens the future viability of our medical professionals, employers and workplace health insurance plans. Ohio’s Overall Regulatory Environment Public policy should balance the need for governmental oversight and regulation with economic considerations so that Ohio employers, workers and their families are not forced to bear the burden of an uncompetitive, overly restrictive business environment. Fair and Competitive Taxes Ohio and America need a tax structure that won’t hamper the competitiveness of businesses, or workers will suffer. Our tax structure needs to be efficient and not hinder enterprises from investing capital that will sustain productivity and create job growth. Tax policy should aim to encourage savings and investment, increase individual income levels and grow our economy. Modernization of the tax code should reflect the reality of the new global marketplace. Fiscal Responsibility in Government Spending Consistent increases in spending by state government have placed a massive burden on Ohio taxpayers. Faced with spiraling budget costs, the state is under constant pressure to find new sources of tax revenue. State officials must rein in Medicaid costs, the leading contributor to budget increases. They must also reasonably limit the annual growth of state tax receipts and spending, find ways to cut the costs of government services and rebuild the state’s reserve fund. At the federal level, the government should take steps to reduce the deficit through increased restraint on discretionary spending and reform of entitlement programs. The goal should be a balanced budget within the context of a safe and secure America. Education & Workforce Development Education and workforce policies should focus on improving student achievement, increasing higher education attainment and providing efficient and effective employer-driven workforce training. Improving results in the area of education is the key to our future competitiveness. Energy Access to reliable and competitively priced energy resources is essential for Ohio employers to remain competitive – an imperative that makes steadily rising energy costs and increased warnings of future supply shortages priority concerns. Of particular importance and concern is the need for policymakers to recognize the long lead time required to implement many of the desired policy actions, which creates an urgency that is further magnified by the high stakes. Technology-Based Economic Growth Ensuring Ohio’s economic future requires a clear focus on stimulating high-wage economic growth across all regions of the state. To achieve that objective, Ohio must have statewide and regional economic development strategies that a) build on, modernize and enhance the competitiveness of existing business strengths, particularly in the manufacturing, agriculture and small-business sectors; and b) leverage world-class assets in research and development to take advantage of growth opportunities presented by an economy driven by innovation. Our goal is to turn world-class research into innovations that create jobs and stimulate economic growth. Environmental Policies Ohio needs environmental policies that balance legitimate environmental and public health concerns, anti-competitive regulatory burdens for employers, and increased costs for consumers. The goal should be to create reasonable environmental regulations that are commensurate with risk and do not undermine efforts to attract and retain business investment and jobs. Civil Justice Reform Ohio has made great strides in enacting changes to limit costly and frivolous lawsuits and to curb activism by liberal members of the state’s highest court. Lawmakers must continue to restore common sense to the legal system by advancing increased protections against runaway jury awards and twisted interpretations of statutes by the courts that cost consumers and businesses. Ohioans must elect judges who believe in the principle of judicial restraint, rather than “legislating from the bench.” It is just as important for lawmakers in Congress to consider the effects of the civil justice system on our economy and to enact measures that address particular reform needs at the federal level. Workers’ Compensation that Works The state’s workers’ compensation system should exist to protect legitimately injured workers without placing burdens on employers that will ultimately lead to fewer jobs in the state. Waste, fraud, abuse and manipulation of the system must be identified and eliminated. 
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