Public Policy

The Partnership has taken action on a variety of federal and local policy issues, including vaccine legislation, tax credit opportunities, energy legislation, the capital budget process and more.

HOUSE BILL 248

The Columbus Partnership has expressed its opposition to House Bill 248, legislation that would prevent the COVID-19 vaccine from being mandatory and would apply to all immunizations, including childhood vaccines. As current Ohio law allows for school immunization exemptions to decline vaccinations for medical, religious, or reasons of conscience (known as the philosophical exemption) and most businesses allow for flexibility in regard to vaccinations, we strongly oppose HB 248.

TRANSFORMATIONAL MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT

Senate Bill 39 authorized the Ohio Tax Credit Authority to award up to $100 million in tax credits available for property owners and insurance companies that invest in eligible TMUD projects through the calendar year 2023.

OPPOSITION TO CITY OF COLUMBUS ISSUE 7

The Partnership is opposed to Issue 7, a ballot initiative that would take critical funds from city services and give them to ProEnergy Ohio, LLC, an out-of-state organization that has no clear plan for use of the funds and wouldn’t be subject to any public oversight. We will continue to work with Partnership members and companies to advocate against its passage.

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN AND FEDERAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Partnership is also a strong advocate of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which would invest tens of millions of dollars into repairing roads and bridges across Ohio, as well as funds to increase access to broadband services.

ELECTED OFFICIAL CONNECTIVITY

Continued engagement with our Governor, members of Congress, leaders in the Ohio Legislature and local officials are crucial to progressing our Region’s competitiveness agenda. Q4 will bring important opportunities for members to engage with these political leaders as we discuss prosperity and postpandemic priorities.