Basic HTML Version
www.ohiorestaurant.org
3
Fall 2012 Issue
Under the Dome: A Legislative Update for ORA
No, this is not about Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry and their
“friends.” I’m talking about friends as in “you watch my back and
I’ll watch yours.” I’m also talking friends who band together in
coalitions for increased power and influence to advance or defeat
an issue. The Ohio Restaurant Association has a lot of friends.
And frankly, I spend a significant portion of my time building and
strengthening friendships.
How exactly do the ORA’s friendships help our members?
We were pleased to be able to report to our members that a new,
sustainable model to fund tourism promotion was signed into law
this year – the result of a three-year collaboration of the Ohio Tourism
Council, of which the ORA is one of four member associations.
More tourists mean more guests in your restaurant.
We have recently joined coalitions to make municipal income
structures consistent throughout the state and another to promote
shale oil and gas development in eastern Ohio. Simpler municipal
income tax rules will save many ORA members time and money while
the development of the Utica and Marcellus shale fields will bring
hungry workers and business developers into our state.
Earlier this year, I spent some of my time working with several of
my lobbying peers to present a united front to the Ohio Department
of Transportation as they considered commercializing rest areas
and increasing fees to advertise on “blue signs“ near interstate
highway exits.
We continue to stay in touch with a large coalition of business
associations regarding workers’ compensation. The same is true for
another group whose members have an interest in recycling laws
and yet another coalition whose members make, distribute or sell
alcoholic beverages. Although immigration hasn’t been seriously on
the legislative agenda in Ohio, we are also a part of yet another
group with a keen interest in this issue.
In the last couple of years, I have become involved with several
coalitions or groups involved with food. I serve on the Soy Ohio
and Dairy Council advisory boards. I also helped create the “food
coalition,” whose members include wheat, corn, soybean and
produce farmers, poultry, sheep, dairy, pork and beef producers, seed
and fertilizer companies, grocery stores and, of course, restaurants.
Finally, my favorite group of “friends” is the Ohio Lobbying
Association. Yes, there is an actual association for lobbyists! We
meet every other month for continuing education and to hear
directly from Ohio’s top political leaders. While the education is
nice, the contacts and personal relationships that are developed are
invaluable. You just can’t have too many friends.
By Richard Mason,
Director of Government Affairs,
Ohio Restaurant Association
Friends: You Just Can’t Have Too Many
