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New Energy Policy to be Considered
Governor Kasich's "21st Century Energy & Economic Development Summit " in September will launch a new dialogue on future state energy policy. The summit's preliminary agenda includes topics on power generation demand and efficiency; coal usage; the role of renewables such as wind and solar in today's economy; alternative fuels in the transportation industry; and a special focus on upstream, midstream, and downstream opportunities in the Marcellus and Utica Shales. In addition, discussions will focus on energy regulation and incentives; human capital and education; manufacturing; and the environment.
Keynote addresses are scheduled to be delivered by Dr. E. Gordon Gee, President of The Ohio State University, Dr. Jeff Wadsworth, President & CEO of Battelle and Governor Kasich.
Given the topics and speakers, we expect significant policy changes to arise from the summit. For more information on the summit or to discuss how Hicks Partners can assist your company with the resulting policy initiatives, please contact Tony Brigano.
November Ballot Issues
Three statewide issues are expected to be on the November ballot. The most closely fought battle will be over the repeal of Senate Bill 5, the highly controversial reform of Ohio's collective bargaining laws. The repeal effort has been certified to the ballot, and it is certain to generate multi-million expenditures on both sides of the campaign.
 A second issue likely to appear on the fall ballot will be an effort to allow Ohio to opt out of the mandatory coverage provisions of the federal health care reform law. The "Health Care Freedom Amendment" seeks to protect Ohioans from the financial burdens of complying with new federal mandates and from penalties resulting from non-compliance. Organizers of this effort are in the process of collecting petitions to place the issue on the November ballot.
Finally, Ohio voters will see a constitutional amendment to increase the Ohio judicial age of retirement to 75 years of age. Currently, Ohio law prohibits any individual from election or appointment to judicial office if they turn 70 before assuming office.
Likely Legislative Action
In addition to possible energy issues arising from the Governor's summit, legislators are expected to consider further JobsOhio legislation and possible reform to the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation.
The all important work of redrawing districts for the Ohio General Assembly and Congress will be taken up this fall. Republican control of the State Apportionment Board should favor the GOP in line drawing at the state level. At the federal level, Ohio will lose two House seats due to slow population growth during the past decade. Given the Republicans' 13 to 5 advantage over Democrats in the Ohio congressional delegation, observers should expect inter- and intra-party debate to be contentious. New districts for both the state and federal level representatives will be effective for the 2012 elections.
Speaking of 2012, a Cleveland businessman is once again lighting up plans to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes. This effort, which would roll out in 2012, would be the second time in the last decade Ohioans have voted on this issue. In 2002, a similar measure went up in smoke after voters overwhelmingly rejected it with a NO vote of 67 percent due in large part to an aggressive opposition campaign led by former Governor and First Lady Bob and Hope Taft.
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while planning for FY12 and beyond. 
