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Support Pat Fischer & Pat DeWine for Ohio Supreme Court
The Ohio Contractors Association is an active member of the Ohio Alliance for Civil Justice. Established in 1987, The Ohio Alliance for Civil Justice is a non-profit, broad-based coalition that includes more than 200 Ohio trade and professional associations, small and large businesses, contractors, medical groups, farmers and others.
The purpose of the Alliance is to help promote a healthy economic climate in Ohio by stopping lawsuit abuse and to promote a common-sense civil justice system in the state. Among the activities of the Alliance is its Supreme Court Education Initiative which provides information and materials aimed at educating Ohioans about Supreme Court elections and the candidates seeking election to the Court.
This year, there are three Ohio Supreme Court seats up for election. The Chief Justice, Maureen O’Connor is unopposed. For the two contested open seats, the Alliance is endorsing Judge Pat Fischer and Judge Pat DeWine because they are the candidates most likely to work towards the principles most important to the Alliance and its members:
• Promote a healthy economic climate for Ohio
• Stop frivolous lawsuits against businesses & professionals
• Interpret the law, not make new laws
The Alliance believes it’s very important to support these two candidates because just one lost seat could significantly destabilize the judicial environment in Ohio. Since 2002, the philosophical position of the Ohio Supreme Court has been relatively objective and reasoned. Ohio’s judicial environment has been rated as stable and predictable, but this is not a guarantee going forward. A pro-business judicial environment is important in maintaining a positive economy for our state.
Just as important is maintaining a separation of powers in our state government—electing Supreme Court justices who recognize their role in interpreting laws only and leaving the creation of laws to the Ohio General Assembly. In other words, conservative justices who view their roles as evaluators of whether any law or lower court ruling is in line with the constitution; not liberal justices who look to change the meanings of existing laws, to be policy makers.
These are the reasons the OACJ endorses candidates O’Connor, Fischer and DeWine and encourages Ohioans to vote for them on November 8. Please see the attached .pdf for a handy reminder about Judge Pat Fischer and Judge Pat DeWine. For more information, please go to www.OhioCivilJustice.org
ARTBA Central Regional Meeting Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
Chicago, Illinois November 2-4, 2016
This year’s Central Regional Meeting is conveniently located, with a streamlined program, for transportation design and construction professionals. The program will include remarks by Illinois DOT Secretary Randy Blankenhorn and Chicago DOT First Deputy Commissioner Randy Conner, as well as several presentations providing a comprehensive overview of the transportation construction market in Ohio and the Midwest. Other expert presenters will detail the critical political, legislative and regulatory issues affecting the industry nationally and in the states.
The meeting will also feature a half-day professional workshop, Millennials and the Future of the Transportation Design & Construction Workforce, presented by ARTBA’s Industry Leaders Development Council (ILDC). The ILDC leaders have helped shape this year’s regional meeting agendas to make sure they are responsive to the professional needs of emerging leaders in the 30-50 year-old demographic.
There will also be excellent networking opportunities through two receptions and a luncheon!
You can view the full agendas, register and find hotel room information at the following link. While the room block deadline has passed, the McCormick Place Hyatt is still honoring the group rate on a space-available basis.
The meeting is approaching quickly, so register and book your room today! http://www.artba.org/news/training-events/central-regional-meeting/.
If you have questions or need more information, please contact Brie Johnson at [email protected].
OCA Convention in Rome – Change of Location
OCA recently received a phone call from the St. Regis in Rome. They were anticipating their winter renovations to be complete prior to our convention. However, due to more extensive renovations than previously thought, the hotel will be closed during the time of our convention. This sounds like bad news, but it is not. The Westin (who owns the St. Regis) has already moved all of our rooms and event space to their hotel. The Westin Excelsior is very beautiful and is also located a short distance from shopping and sightseeing locations. The Westin Excelsior and St. Regis are only about a 10-minute walk from each other. Visit this new location on line here: http://www.westinrome.com/. Contact Rachel Sirca with questions.
2016 OCA Safety Awards!
OCA’s Jerry Keller memorial safety awards program is a great opportunity for our contractor members to showcase their safety programs and be recognized for their achievements. All OCA members are encouraged to participate! Awards are presented in several size divisions, based on total hours worked. Recognition is also given to any contractors who achieve zero accidents and injuries during the year! This year’s winners will be announced during the Winter Conference Awards luncheon on December 13th at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus. Please click here to access the application form. The deadline date for submission is Wednesday, November 23, 2016. Please return the completed form at your earliest convenience so that your company will be in the running for OCA’s coveted safety award!
If you have any questions about the Safety Awards Program, please contact Emily Pickens or Mark Potnick in the OCA office. Please continue the great work you do to make Ohio’s construction industry one of the safest in the country! We’ll be looking for your application, and good luck!
September-October Digital Version of OC Magazine Now Available On-Line
The OC Magazine September-October edition is now available online at: http://ohiocontractormagazine.com/OC-sept-oct-2016/index.html?r=83.
Ohio Turnpike & Infrastructure Commission to Hold Forecast Night &Open House The Ohio Turnpike & Infrastructure Commission (OTIC) will be holding a Forecast Night and Open House on Tuesday, November 1, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at their headquarters in Berea. This event will be specifically addressing their anticipated bid schedule and future construction projects. Only construction contractors and subcontractors have been invited. For more information please click here.
Winter Conference Rooms are Nearly Full
The Hyatt Regency downtown Columbus has a reserved block of rooms for OCA. To make your reservations, go to https://resweb.passkey.com/go/OHcontractors2016.. There are only a handful of rooms left! If you make your reservations by phone, our reservation code is ACTO (614-463-1234). We used our entire room block the past several years, so you may want to reserve your room right away.
Equipment Management Council Meeting
The Equipment Management Council will meet during OCA’s winter conference at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Columbus. This meeting, open to all OCA members interested in new equipment technology, will be held on Monday, December 12 at 3:30 p.m. If you want to register for the winter conference activities as well, you will find the brochure here. Call Rachel Sirca or Emily Pickens with questions.
OSHA Delays Rule Enforcement Related to Post-Incident Drug Testing Position
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) this week delayed enforcement until Dec. 1, 2016, of the anti-retaliation provisions in its injury and illness reporting rule, which highlighted OSHA’s intention to enforce policies that could restrict mandatory post-incident alcohol and drug testing. Also this week, at AGC’s urging, more than 30 members of Congress called on OSHA to reconsider and withdraw this controversial and unsubstantiated position.
OSHA issued this delay at the request of a federal court currently considering a motion challenging the anti-retaliation provisions. The letter from members of Congress comes on the heels of AGC grassroots efforts and AGC Chapter and contractor Capitol Hill meetings following the association’s National and Chapter Leadership Conference in late September. AGC previously met with the head of OSHA, noting the association’s opposition to the agency’s drug testing position and that position’s challenge to safe, drug-free workplaces and drug testing programs collectively bargained with organized labor, among other things.
AGC will hold a complementary webinar for AGC members ($49 for non-members) to explain OSHA’s position and contractor requirements under this rule on October 31 from 2:00 to 3:00pm ET. The association will continue its efforts to oppose this unreasonable OSHA position, while educating its members on how best to comply. To register, click here. For more information, contact Kevin Cannon at [email protected].
Make Your Voice Heard & Participate in the ARTBA 2017 Survey on the State of the Transportation Construction Industry
The American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), our national affiliate, is conducting its 3rd Annual Survey on the State of the Transportation Construction Industry to assess current market conditions and the 2017 outlook, and would appreciate your participation. ARTBA will use the survey results in its advocacy efforts by showing elected officials and the media true “on the ground conditions” within the industry . This survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and is confidential. Take the survey online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MktConditions.
Thank you for your help!
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