CSI Ohio Marks First Year of Common Sense Regulations

Release:

Columbus – Lt. Governor Mary Taylor today remarked on the first year of CSI Ohio: The Common Sense Initiative. The initiative was created by executive order on January 10, 2011 – the first day of the Kasich-Taylor Administration – to help establish a more jobs-friendly regulatory climate in Ohio. Taylor was placed in charge of the project by Governor John Kasich.

“CSI Ohio is about restoring balance to business regulations, making it easier to do business and create jobs in Ohio,” Taylor said. “We know we still have a lot of work to do, but I’m very excited about what we’ve been able to accomplish in our first year.”

CSI Ohio was established to create a regulatory framework that promotes economic development, is transparent and responsive to regulated businesses, makes compliance as easy as possible, and provides predictability for businesses. In its first year, CSI Ohio:

· Streamlined a number of obstacles to job creation in Ohio: It changed a law that required food manufacturers to purchase alcohol for their recipes at retail prices and in retail containers; it helped enact a law – Buckeyes Forever – to allow Ohio high school graduates who leave the state to return and pay in-state tuition for college and graduate school; and it eliminated duplication that required owners of inflatable bounce houses (amusement attractions) to be inspected by – and pay fees to – two different state agencies.

· Developed and advocated for legislation codifying the Common Sense Initiative in Ohio statute and creating a new level of accountability in the administrative rulemaking process. As of January 1, 2012, every administrative rule that affects businesses must undergo a CSI Business Impact Analysis, and is subject to new scrutiny by the General Assembly.

· Created a Small Business Advisory Council, consisting of nine small business leaders from throughout the state. The Council advises Lt. Governor Taylor and the CSI Office, and helps ensure that the business community is a partner in reforming Ohio’s regulations.

· Established a number of ways for business owners and other Ohioans to contribute their ideas for eliminating specific regulatory obstacles that impact business. Stakeholders can contact CSI via Email at CSIOhio@governor.ohio.gov, by calling 614.466.3555, or by visiting http://www.governor.ohio.gov/PrioritiesandInitiatives/CommonSenseInitiative.aspx. Beginning in 2012, the Office will utilize social media to enhance its real-time communication efforts.