2016 Annual Report to Members PROTECTING OHIO’S ECONOMIC ENGINE! NFIB/Ohio Legislative Director Chris Ferruso speaks to the media at a press conference on Candidates for Ohio Supreme Court Associate Justice, Pat DeWine and Pat Fischer, speak with the unemployment compensation reform in the office of the Ohio Speaker of the House. Mansfield Area Action Council. Both were successful in their election bids.

To Our Valued Members, Dear Fellow Member, As always, I want to start out by saying thank you for your membership in the I have been heavily involved with NFIB for many years. I would be hard pressed National Federation of Independent Business here in Ohio. I truly appreciate to find any other business organization demonstrating the commitment and you putting your trust in the association by allowing us the opportunity to concern for its members that I have witnessed and experienced through NFIB. represent you both in Columbus and Washington, DC. This organization sincerely cares what their members think and listens to their concerns. Please know that when it comes to NFIB, you DO make Once again, 2016 provided opportunities for NFIB to act on your behalf to a difference. improve your ability to own, operate and grow your business. There were numerous member meetings around the state with Ohio Legislators and Our Ohio staff is a dedicated group fighting daily for our opportunity to own, Congressmen offering you the opportunity to engage in the legislative and operate, and grow our businesses. As the Chair of the NFIB/Ohio Leadership political process. Your time and efforts made a huge difference. Council, I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact and respect the association has with our elected officials, both statewide and nationally. Our member benefits programs also continued to save millions of dollars for you and your fellow members in the areas of workers’ compensation and 2016 had it all: political and legislative victories, membership growth, and other services. A great sales and legislative staff, who strive to provide opportunities all across the state for you to meet and engage with members excellent customer service, maintained Ohio as the leading membership of Congress, statewide elected officials, and members of the Ohio General state for NFIB. Assembly. However, none of this would have been possible without the direct involvement of YOU, the members. This Annual Report contains details of our member activism program, legislative efforts, and the extensive political plan we carried out based on NFIB members from all around Ohio testified on pieces of legislation, chaired our thorough member-driven process. The successes achieved this year Area Action Councils (grassroots efforts are most impactful) and contributed could not have been possible without all your support. to NFIB/Ohio political efforts with their time and talents. Such involvement and commitment is the best way to make sure those who serve in Columbus as So, thank you once again for your time, financial support and your membership. well as Washington, DC understand the needs of Ohio’s entrepreneurs. Your voice, as the engine that drives Ohio’s economy, resonates loud and clear. Please know that we are just a phone call or e-mail away and we look 2016 was a meaningful year to be a part of Ohio’s largest business advocacy forward to continuing to support your efforts to be successful entrepreneurs association. Thank you for joining me as one of the nearly 25,000 members of again in 2017. NFIB in Ohio.

Sincerely, Sincerely,

Roger. R. Geiger Ty Baker-Baumann, Rebsco, Inc., Greenville, Ohio Vice President/Executive Director, NFIB/Ohio NFIB/Ohio Leadership Council Chair Who Is NFIB/Ohio?

2016Ohio MEMBERS Membership BY by INDUSTRYIndustry

Other Services 3% Agriculture 25% 12%

Construction Real Estate 14% 2%

Insurance 3% Manufacturing Retail 11% 19% Transportation Wholesale 4% 7%

“The organization works for us. We continue to be members NFIB/Ohio Executive Director & Vice President Roger Geiger presents Mary Leavitt, owner of The Flag Lady’s because we need representation.” Flag Store in Columbus, OH, the Small Business Champion award for 2016, along with Leadership Council Chair Ty Baker-Baumann. Eric Lucas, Carpet One Floor and More, Athens, OH NFIB by the Numbers • NFIB/Ohio ended 2016 with 24,829 members in Ohio; the most members 2016 MEMBERS BY EMPLOYEES in any state.

• NFIB/Ohio held 84 member events in 2016 and had an attendance of over 31–99 100+ 2,000 members at Area Action Council meetings, webinars, safety seminars 8% 2% 20–30 and other opportunities throughout the state. 5% 1–2 23% • A total of 35 NFIB members served in the Ohio General Assembly in 2016! 15–19 6% • The NFIB/Ohio Workers’ Compensation Programs, including group rating, retro and select/select plus had 7,827 members participating, saving more 10–14 than $26.1 million in premium. We continue to be one of the largest groups 12% sponsoring these programs.

“The state ballot really boils it down into pros and cons for 6–9 3–5 19% 25% me. NFIB does the research so I can be better informed.” Johanna Mann, Mama Jo’s Homestyle Pies, Amherst, OH Congressman & NFIB member Bob Gibbs meets with member of the Knox County Area Action Council. Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel speaks with members of the Youngstown Area Action Council about government transparency.

Member Events Your Voice is Heard NFIB/Ohio has 21 Area Action Councils around the state with over 2,000 IN COLUMBUS individuals participating. Area Action Councils are volunteer groups within NFIB On your behalf, NFIB/Ohio tracked 75 separate pieces of legislation in the that regularly meet around the state. They are designed to create a greater 131st Ohio General Assembly during 2016. Some of the highlights include: awareness within the general membership and expand its members’ influence in a given geographic area. Members provide input and counsel into the public • HB 207 – Workers’ Comp Subrogation – The bill creates a system whereby policy, activism, development, communications, political, and membership an automobile accident that is caused by a third-party would not go against development agenda of NFIB. To get involved with an Area Action Council an employer’s experience, and instead be paid from the surplus fund. near you, contact Joe Hirabayashi, NFIB/Ohio Grassroots Manager, at • HB 387 – Small Claims Court – The bill raises the amount that may be sought 614.221.4107 or email him at [email protected]. Highlights of the in small claims court from three thousand to six thousand dollars, allowing small member activism program from 2016 included: business owners to save money as these lower dollar thresholds tend to be handled more expeditiously and not necessarily incur the cost of hiring counsel. • Held meetings around the state with Mike DeWine, Treasurer Josh Mandel, and Lt. Governor Mary Taylor who shared what • HB 390 – Repaid Federal Unemployment Loan – Established a mechanism the state of Ohio was doing to assist Ohio entrepreneurs; to pay off the outstanding federal unemployment compensation loan from unclaimed funds that will be paid back via an employer surcharge. Employers • Over 200 members met with their Congressmen during the summer of 2016; will be a net positive due to the elimination of FUTA penalties, and see an estimated $350 million in savings. • Members from Ohio participated in the national Washington, DC Fly-In and met with US Senator Portman and members of the US House • SB 152 – Residency Requirements For Contractors – The bill prohibits of Representatives; public authorities from requiring a certain number or percentage of laborers on a public improvement project reside within a specific geographic or • In October, NFIB/Ohio members met with those seeking elected office service area of the public authority. around the state at local meetings. Many of those meetings included • SB 235 – Repealed Unemployment Comp Tax Provision – Repealed Justices Pat Fischer and Pat DeWine who were both successful in their the significant tax trigger put in House Bill 390 that would have potentially bids for seats on the Ohio Supreme Court. trebled some employers’ unemployment state tax rate as soon as Ohio had to borrow from the federal government to meet legitimate unemployment claims. “NFIB does a great job listening to the concerns of small • SB 264 – Sales Tax Holiday – Instituted a three day sales tax holiday in August for back to school supplies. business owners. NFIB’s ability to voice our concerns • SB 331 – Minimum Wage/Scheduling/Fringe Benefit Preemption – helps us go the extra mile.” Stipulates the Ohio Constitution dictates that the state sets the minimum Bob Eck, Eck Refrigeration, Sidney, OH. wage, not individual municipalities, and ensures scheduling, place of work, and other fringe benefits remain the purview of an employer, or collective bargaining agreement unless otherwise restricted in state or federal law. NFIB member Rep. Scott Lipps, owner of Sleep Tite Mattress Factory in Franklin, OH was successful in his run for the Ohio House of Representatives, representing Ohio House District 62 in Southwest Ohio. Making a Difference on Election Day The 2016 election cycle was excellent for small-business owners in Ohio. Through our detailed and member-driven process, the NFIB OH PAC endorsed 75 candidates in the general election, including Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor and Justices Pat DeWine and Pat Fischer. We also endorsed an additional 72 candidates for the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate. The NFIB PAC also endorsed 12 members of the United States House of Representatives and US Senator for reelection in Ohio, winning all of those races. All three candidates for Ohio Supreme Court were victorious and 71 of the 72 Ohio Statehouse candidates prevailed in their races for an overall 98% success rate. A record level of support was provided to the candidates endorsed by the NFIB OH PAC through dollars raised separately from any dues paid by members. Support of our endorsed candidates included: • 65 direct contributions to candidates; • Radio ads ran in support of 12 candidates reaching over 2 million listeners; • We utilized, for the first, time online digital ads that micro-targeted two races with over 650,000 impressions; • Over 132,000 pieces of mail, e-mails, and faxes encouraging members to vote in the election in support of pro-small-business candidates; • 34 members of the 132nd Ohio General Assembly will be dues paying members of NFIB, including NFIB/Ohio Leadership Council member Rep. Scott Lipps, serving Ohio House District 62. We’re Here To Serve You Contact any of our Ohio staff at: Roger Geiger Joe Hirabayashi Wanda Holycross Vice President/Executive Director Grassroots Manager Executive Assistant [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Chris Ferruso Jared Weiser Dave Smith Legislative Director Member Benefits Division Sales Manager [email protected] Program Manager [email protected] [email protected] Andy Patterson Communications Director Gracie Gerlach [email protected] Member Services Coordinator [email protected] NFIB/Ohio • 10 West Broad Street, Suite 2450, Columbus, Ohio 43215 • (614) 221-4107 or visit us at www.NFIB.com/OH • www.facebook.com/nfib.oh • @nfib_oh