Chairman’s Update 10-20-19

This week, Senator Rob Portman visited Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio in Toledo to highlight a nearly $1 million grant the organization received through Portman’s Bipartisan Second Chance Act. During the visit, Portman met with individuals going through the organization’s “Stay the Course” reentry program that provides job training and guidance to medium to high risk incarcerated individuals who are reentering society and working to get their lives back on track. Portman’s Second Chance Act was reauthorized as part of the First Step Act which President Trump signed into law late last year. In total, Ohio has received over $39 million in Second Chance Act grants since 2009, which includes funds for job training, drug rehabilitation, case management, and mental health treatment.

On Thursday, Governor DeWine, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Administrator/CEO Stephanie McCloud, and RecoveryOhio Director Alisha Nelson announced that injured workers receiving an opioid prescription will also receive a drug disposal bag upon filling the prescription at a retail pharmacy. The bags destroy the opioids in a chemical process, rendering them useless for legitimate or recreational use. This disposal method not only helps prevent abuse and diversion, but is also safer for the environment. Ohio is the first state to provide drug disposal bags through its worker’s compensation program. DeWine held the announcement at Crosby’s Drugs and Home Health Care, a small business in Columbus, and was also joined by State Senator Jay Hottinger (R-Newark).

On Friday, Lt. Governor Husted spoke to around 1,000 students at Lima Makerfest. The event celebrates products that are made in the region. Makerfest brings together businesses, education providers, and students to showcase all the potential career paths available to young people right in their own community. As Lt. Governor, Husted leads InnovateOhio, the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, and the Common Sense Initiative, which together seek to create a good environment for economic growth and opportunity for Ohioans.

Attorney General Dave Yost announced a nearly $117 million multistate settlement with Johnson & Johnson and a subsidiary last week for its deceptive marketing of surgical devices. Ohio will receive $6.3 million under the settlement, which found the companies violated consumer protection laws by misrepresenting the safety and effectiveness of transvaginal surgical mesh devices.

“Patients can’t make the best decision for their health unless they and their health care providers know all the pros and cons of a product,” Yost said. “These companies didn’t paint a clear picture of the device’s medical risks, preventing patients from making well-informed decisions.”

Under the settlements, Johnson & Johnson will pay $116.9 million to 41 states and the District of Columbia.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced 9,989 new entities filed to do business in Ohio in September, allowing Ohio to reach 101,352 new businesses in the first nine months of 2019. That’s the fastest Ohio has ever reached that milestone in state history.

“It’s a big milestone to reach, and to do so faster than it’s ever been done in Ohio says a lot about the hardworking men and women who are realizing their dream right here in the Buckeye State ,” said LaRose.

LaRose has been a strong advocate of entrepreneurship, and has recently implemented innovative strategies to connect new businesses with the resources they can use to be successful in Ohio.

This week, Auditor of State Keith Faber addressed the annual meeting of the Ohio Association of Municipal and County Clerks of Court. Auditor Faber discussed ways for his office and local officials can better work together to make government more efficient, effective, and transparent for all Ohioans.

On Thursday, Treasurer Sprague provided the keynote address at the fourth and final Center for Public Investment Management (CPIM) regional conference of 2019. Administered by the Treasurer’s Office, CPIM provides continuing education to public funds managers across Ohio. More than 100 local government fiscal officers attended the conference and participated in courses, such as finance, investments, and cash management. During his remarks, Treasurer Sprague touted the importance of financial training and how it plays a critical role in fostering strong stewardship and accountability in government.