Landis: Ohio’s Poor Business Climate is Hindering our Economic Recovery

Born and raised in Tuscarawas County, I have a deep sense of pride for our community and Ohio as a whole. But through the years, I have witnessed a mass exodus of jobs and businesses from our borders, which has left many Ohioans struggling to make ends meet. Since 2007, more than 320,000 jobs have been lost and dozens of major corporations have closed their Ohio branches—not to mention the countless other small businesses that have found our taxes and regulations simply too burdensome. 

The solution to Ohio’s anti-business economy is within our reach, but it will take a staunch commitment to analyze each state expenditure and eliminate government waste where possible. By enacting common-sense government reforms, Ohio can reduce the price tag of state government, which will in turn improve the business climate, help create jobs, and incentivize our young people to stay here. Our current elected officials, however, neglected this necessary approach and instead grew the size of state government by nearly $2 billion on the taxpayers’ dime, which merely procrastinated the pain of this recession and created an $8 billion hole in the next budget.

This is why I am seeking elected office as your voice in Columbus—because the Buckeye state simply cannot afford another two years of government waste, unaccountable leadership and legislative inaction. As a grandfather of three beautiful grandchildren with one more on the way, it pains me to know that unless we roll up our sleeves and get the job done, my family will not enjoy the same quality of life in Ohio that I enjoyed all my life. I believe that now is the time for the politicians who created this financial mess to step aside and allow members of the community, who understand the challenges and needs of the districts, to take the reins.

The Ohio House is the People’s House, and if I receive the great honor to serve as the voice of the 96th Ohio House District, I will be a faithful servant of the people—the mothers and fathers, the small business owners, the unemployed. It is long overdue that our elected officials remember that they represent those back home, not their political party.

With your vote in November, you can help fix Ohio’s business climate and bring jobs back to our great state. I’m proud to be an Ohioan, and together, let’s keep this pride alive for our children and future generations.

Al Landis 

Candidate for the 96th Ohio House District