Baker: Job creation still priority of Westshore residents
By Nan Baker
District 16 Ohio House Representative (Incumbent)
Published Oct. 13, 2010

Nan Baker

With the 128th General Assembly quickly coming to a close, I want to thank all the residents of the 16th Ohio House District; Bay Village, Fairview Park, North Olmsted, Rocky River and Westlake for your phone calls, letters and e-mails regarding our state's most important issues. As representatives of the people, legislators must make highly informed decisions that reflect the will of our constituents. Your participation in state government has been a vital component of my work in Columbus over the past 22 months.

Based on my conversations with over 8,000 constituents in District 16 when visiting neighbors in our walking door-to-door campaign since June, I've found that our community reinforces our priority to finding solutions regarding job creation and retention. With Ohio's unemployment still in the double digits, it is clear that we have a long way to go toward fixing our state business climate and encouraging economic development within our borders. As a small business owner for over 30 years and Ranking Member of the Ohio House Economic Development Committee, I spearheaded the 'Future of Ohio' Jobs Package. With the support of my legislative colleagues, it has been my top priority to make Ohio a better place to live, work, raise a family and start a business. These initiatives are targeted solutions designed to provide resources and incentives for small businesses, retrain our workers, track Ohio's progress and encourage our Ohio graduates to stay in Ohio. To review the ten 'Future of Ohio' job-focused House Bills go to www.ReElectNanBaker.com. Business advocacy groups; Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE), National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Ohio Society of CPAs have all endorsed my candidacy for re-election. In addition, COSE has honored me the 2009 Chuck McDonald Business Advocacy Award for service and dedication to small business. It is indisputable that job retention and creation must continue to be the top priority to bring Ohio back to prosperity. Ohioans want to work and provide for their families.

In the months ahead, lawmakers will need to work together in a cooperative, bi-partisan fashion to get Ohio's economy back on the right track. Ohio is facing an $8 billion budget deficit, a disadvantaged business climate and the struggle to bring back jobs that were lost to other states. As we prepare to address these economic issues, I encourage you to continue contacting my office with your concerns and suggestions regarding our state's future.

Over the last two years, we have had many opportunities for constituents to directly talk with me. We have held several 'Library Days' in all five District 16 libraries in the summers of 2009 and 2010. We have also held business panels, town hall meetings and round tables. I have personally visited with countless business owners in the area. In this difficult economy it is more important than ever that we make state government as efficient as possible so that each tax dollar that is spent is used wisely. With so many families cutting back on their own spending during this recession, the legislature has a responsibility to be good stewards of the taxpayers' dollars, which will not only give citizens more spendable income but also encourage small businesses to expand or create jobs.

As I work to create the environment in Ohio to retain and create jobs through a leaner, more effective state government and more competitive business climate, I look forward to collaborating with the residents of the 16th House District to find solutions that best benefit our community. As I continue to say, "It's All About Jobs!"

Rep. Baker may be reached in the district at (440) 835-8960 or by writing her Columbus office: Rep. Nan Baker 77 S. High Street, 10th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215. You may also e-mail her at District16@ohr.state.oh.us.

(Editor's note: Baker, a Republican, was elected to the Ohio House in 2008.)

On the Web:

• Nan Baker's campaign website