April 29, 2025

ACAA Hosts Roundtables with U.S. Senators Bernie Moreno & Jon Husted

Earlier this month, members of the ACAA had the privilege of meeting with U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno at the Greater Akron Chamber. Earlier this month, members of the ACAA had the privilege of hosting two separate roundtable discussions with U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno and U.S. Senator Jon Husted at the GAC and Ohio Gratings. During each meeting, we discussed several pressing issues that are facing the business community and economy at large. Among the topics covered were tariffs, new federal rules and regulations, various tax issues impacting small businesses, and the significant effects of immigration reform on workforce development. These candid dialogues covered the good and the bad, and provided our members with direct opportunities to share their perspectives, ask questions, and discuss potential next steps.

We appreciate Senator Moreno and Senator Husted for taking time out of their busy schedules to share valuable insights and engage in a productive and candid dialogue with our members!

As always, our members make events like these possible and we’re thankful for their continued engagement and support! If you’d like to get involved with conversations and activities like these, please don’t hesitate to reach out to jrizzo@akroncantonadvocacy.org.

April ACAA Meeting Recap

During our April ACAA Meeting, members did a deep dive on the State Operating Budget following the most recent version of House Bill 96 as Passed by the House.

Within this 4,000+ page document, the ACAA is actively tracking a number of line items and key policies that relate to our Public Policy Agenda. As the legislation changes and evolves in the Senate, we will be spending a lot of time and attention on several key items within our internal tracking document. Each of these items would fund programs that impact our businesses, local governments, and broader communities in a variety of ways.

If you have any questions or would like to receive more information on our priorities within the State Operating Budget, or how to lend your voice to the conversation, please contact John Rizzo at jrizzo@akroncantonadvocacy.org.

Advocacy In Action Episode with the NSBA

Last week, the ACAA held another episode of the Advocacy in Action podcast. In the second episode, Steve Millard and John Rizzo talk with Todd McCracken, President & CEO of the National Small Business Association (NSBA) about the organization's history and the services they offer. Todd provides insight into various issues that small businesses face such as the Small Business Income Deduction, Corporate Transparency Act, R&D amortization, and other actions they're taking to give small businesses a voice among elected officials and government leaders.

For ACAA members interested in attending NSBA events, contact John Rizzo at jrizzo@akroncantonadvocacy.org.

Stay tuned for more episodes of Advocacy in Action and Subscribe!

State Issue #2

On May 6, Ohio voters will vote on State Issue #2, a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment that would renew the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP) and authorize up to $2.5 billion in bonds for public infrastructure projects over ten years. This funding aims to improve roads, bridges, water systems and waste facilities across the state that would enhance public health, safety, and economic welfare.

The Greater Akron Chamber and Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce have endorsed State Issue #2 and are strongly recommending their members vote “yes” on May 6! In respect to the hundreds of projects and tens of millions of dollars SCIP brings into our region, this funding is an economic development imperative that ensures we have the physical infrastructure needed for our economy to grow and succeed.

For more information, please visit:

For more information, contact John Rizzo, Vice President, at jrizzo@akroncantonadvocacy.org or Alexis Escobar-Paz, Coordinator, at aescobarpaz@akroncantonadvocacy.org.

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