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| Gov. John Kasich |
Release:
COLUMBUS – Today the Ohio General Assembly gave its final approval to House Bill 1 (Duffey), legislation creating JobsOhio. Gov. John R. Kasich released the following statement following passage of the bill:“House Bill 1 sets the groundwork for a stronger, more prosperous Ohio. I am incredibly appreciative of the work Speaker Batchelder, President Niehaus, Rep. Duffey, Sen. Wagoner and many others have done to pass this crucial legislation in a bipartisan manner. I am heartened by the House and Senate Democrats who had the wisdom and courage to understand that Ohio needs a new approach to job creation and voted to support passage of House Bill 1. Ohio must embrace new, innovative job-creation methods, and with JobsOhio we will be able to pursue economic opportunities otherwise unattainable through our outdated development structure. I look forward to signing House Bill 1 and am excited to work with Director Kvamme to build a new job-creating organization to bring the best business minds together to restore Ohio as a national and world economic leader.”Gov. Kasich is expected to sign House Bill 1 on Friday.
Release:COLUMBUS—Following debate and deliberation on the House floor, Amended Substitute House Bill 1 passed from the Ohio House of Representatives with bipartisan support. The legislation, which passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 60-35, creates a non-partisan economic development entity called JobsOhio to strengthen Ohio’s ability to create, attract and retain jobs and business growth.
“Today marks a new era for the state of Ohio,” said Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina). “JobsOhio will make our state competitive in the national economy by bringing the expertise of successful business owners to Columbus. There is no one who is more able to create jobs than someone who knows firsthand what it means to create jobs or manage a business.”
As passed by the Ohio House, Am. Sub. H.B. 1 includes a number of revisions that were incorporated by the Ohio Senate, including changes to improve transparency, ethics and accountability. Among many other revisions, Senate amendments include provisions that prevent public and private funds from being combined at JobsOhio; prohibit directors of JobsOhio to vote on an issue if they face a conflicting interest; adopt the Ohio Ethics Commission’s recommended language with regard to financial disclosure requirements; prohibit bribery of JobsOhio board members and employees; prohibit elected officials and state employees from representing private interests to JobsOhio; and prohibit JobsOhio from making political contributions.
“I’m very pleased with the Senate’s changes to House Bill 1 and believe that these amendments will strengthen our efforts to make JobsOhio efficient, effective and accountable,” said Batchelder.
Having received the approval of both the House and Senate, Am. Sub. H.B. 1 will now move to the Governor’s Office for the governor’s signature.
