Beau A. Hatem

This year, Ohio, a state with a Republican trifecta and a supermajority in the House, touted its No. 1 ranking in CNBC’s list of the best states for business. What they failed to mention was that CNBC also ranked Ohio 35th in workforce. On November 3, voters sent a message that this matters more, electing a Democratic governor, breaking the Republican supermajority in the Ohio House, and handing Democrats three of the four down-ballot statewide offices. It’s time for Ohio Republicans to take a good, hard look at what the people of Ohio actually want. Being the best state for corporations does not automatically translate into higher wages, a better standard of living, or greater overall satisfaction for Ohioans. Data center tax abatements, $600 million for the Cleveland Browns’ stadium, and countless other corporate incentives raise a simple question: “How has any of this improved Johnny Ohio’s life?” We absolutely want jobs to come to Ohio, but corporations must hold up their end of the deal. Ohioans need to see the benefits reflected in their paychecks and feel them in their pockets. Corporations vote with their dollars. Workers vote at the ballot box.