How might the upcoming elections affect budget disbursements?
As it relates specifically to state elections, the state of Ohio is looking at anywhere between a $4 billion and $8 billion budget deficit going into the next fiscal year, which will start in July 2011. I think the upcoming elections will impact how public policy makers think that they want to address those budget deficits, whether it be by increasing different revenue enhancements through fees or taxes, or if it’s through cuts, collective bargaining agreements or consolidation. The election will impact how public policy makers decide to proceed.
How can businesses lobby effectively?
The key to lobbying effectively is that it involves more than just trying to persuade legislators/government officials. Businesses need to analyze and recognize the impact that current regulations and statutes have on them or how things that are being introduced or offered may impact them. They need to understand how to effectively communicate their concerns. Companies need to start developing relationships with public policy makers, whether it’s on their own or by hiring a lobbyist to do that for them, in order to educate public policy makers on what impacts their business.
Are there certain restrictions companies should be aware of?
You need to be aware of campaign finance restrictions in general. Specifically, if you get some type of government contract, there are going to be even more restrictions that relate to you. When hiring a lobbyist, it’s part of his or her job to make sure that companies are aware and counsel them on what they can and cannot do related to contributions and/or gifts and how to go about advocating their case in a proper, legal fashion.
What are the issues that companies should concern themselves with today?
The biggest issues to impact businesses are changes to the unemployment compensation fund, changes to the workers’ compensation fund and any proposed changes to Ohio’s business taxes as a result of the upcoming budget shortfall. The state also needs to determine how it is going to implement federal health care reform and how it will impact the state and its citizens.
Elise Spriggs is a director and the chair of the Government & Legislative Affairs practice group at Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter. She also works in the firm’s Administrative Law and Gaming Law areas. Reach her at (614) 462-5451 or [email protected].
