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The executive committee of the OFBF board of trustees participated in a meeting of state level business organizations with which Farm Bureau interacts on a regular basis – National Federation of Independent Business, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Business Roundtable, Ohio Manufacturers' Association and Ohio Council of Retail Merchants. The groups discussed the business agenda of Ohio, including topics such as tort reform, Medicaid reform, school funding and the state budget deficit. Speakers included Gov. Bob Taft and House Speaker Larry Householder. Following the meeting, the organizations hosted a reception for members of the General Assembly.

The six groups for the first time have identified a consensus of public policy priorities to ensure the future of opportunity, growth and prosperity for Ohioans. The policy priorities are in the areas of Ohio's:

• Business climate: Implement policy changes to create a friendlier business climate that strengthens competitiveness, encourages investment and spurs economic growth;
• Economic development: Devise and implement an economic development strategy that capitalizes on Ohio's regional strengths and world-class assets in research and development and that positions Ohio to capitalize on opportunities presented by a knowledge-based economy;
• Education reform and workforce development: Ensure full implementation of Ohio's standards-based education reforms and intensify workforce development efforts; and

• State budget: Enact a sustainable state budget that promotes long-term economic growth.

Ohio has more than 260,000 businesses and more than 300,000 self-employers. Private sector businesses account for nearly 90 percent of Ohio's gross state product. In 2001, Ohio's gross state product was $386 billion, making Ohio the seventh-largest state economy. The business organizations that met represent the employers of more than 2.5 million Ohioans.

Cutline: OFBF Board members, l to r, Bob Slicker, Sparky Weilnau and Eric Wolfer spoke with Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder after his presentation to Ohio business leaders.