In today’s global economy, it is necessary to ensure that American firms have every opportunity to compete with foreign companies. While the government has a responsibility to protect workers’ safety and to provide a fair working environment, those needs should be balanced to ensure that the government is not imposing unnecessary regulations that keep American firms from producing quality products at competitive prices.

The increased burden of state and federal regulations places Mahoning Valley businesses at a disadvantage with their interstate and international competitors. The YWRC will work to ensure that legislation that impacts businesses’ bottom line is fair, equitable and necessary. Specifically, the YWRC supports legislation:

· To monitor the rulings of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and to provide our members with information on how to make informed decisions about utilities.

· To ensure that rules promulgated by federal or state regulatory agencies are necessary and do not place an unreasonable or unnecessary burden on local employers.

· To enact legislation that will offer businesses greater protection from frivolous lawsuits and to make other reforms to the civil justice system.