As economic development professionals, we know that financial incentives play a significant role in the site selection decision by a company and/or their consultant. The dynamics of the actual site are essential to the decision, and the regulatory climate of a state is also important.
Therefore, when Lt. Governor Mary Taylor announced Ohio’s Common Sense Initiative (CSI) – I was intrigued about how resourceful this initiative would be to economic development professionals and would it truly provide another avenue to address and remedy regulatory issues that impede economic development recruitment and retention activities.
Signed by Ohio Governor John Kasich on January 10, 2011, Executive Order 2011-01K established “a process for independently evaluating the economic impact of agency rules and regulations on small businesses in Ohio.” The Common Sense Initiative reviews Ohio’s regulatory system with the goal of eliminating excessive and duplicative rules that stand in the way of job creation.
Just recently, the Times Bulletin reported on an event where Mark Hamlin, Director of Regulatory Policy for Lt. Governor Taylor, made a presentation to a group on the CSI Ohio Initiative. During that discussion, Hamlin articulated the four core principals the Lt. Governor’s office tries to follow when evaluating proposed changes that do not take away protections for the public:
- Regulations should encourage economic growth, not get in the way.
- Regulations should be transparent and responsive in the agencies that create regulations.
- Regulations should be focused on compliance and compliance should be easy and inexpensive as possible.
- Regulations should be fair and consistently applied so businesses know what to expect.
Hamlin also said that CSI is working on two separate tracks:
- Formal Track: A top down review by every state agency that creates rules that affect businesses.
- Informal Track: Going out to businesses and people directly for their thoughts and concerns.
Once again, the goal of the CSI is to perform a comprehensive regulatory review that leads to a number of reforms, revives Ohio’s economy, and creates jobs by generating a more jobs-friendly environment. From Hamlin's statements, CSI has gained momentum and is proving effective. As economic development professionals, this initiative allows you to provide direct feedback to the Lt. Governor’s office about regulatory constraints that are hindering economic development in your community and preventing job creation.
Visit this website http://www.governor.ohio.gov/PrioritiesandInitiatives/CommonSenseInitiative/CSISolutions.aspx%20parent_blank. and click on “Share Your Solutions” to provide your thoughts on reforming onerous and burdensome red tape, rules, and regulations.
