I’ve spent the past few weeks listening to thousands of Richland County constituents. One of the biggest concerns folks have shared with me is the state of our regional economy. People out there are hurting economically; and because of this, we must make quality of life for Richland County residents, our most pressing concern and priority.
We know that Main Street and the small-business community is the backbone of the American Economy; but for years, our economy has been in flux. Just last month Ohio lost 13,900 jobs, according to several economic policy think-tanks based here in Ohio. Meanwhile, the state’s labor force declined by 6,000 potential workers in July.
According to a report from the Buckeye Institute, a right-leaning think tank in Ohio, “Ohio may have lost its historical edge on the nation in labor force participation rate among its population. In order to counteract that, Ohio will need to attract a younger generation into the state, or face the challenge of increasing production among a permanently smaller and continually aging labor force.”
In fact, the world we live in today is completely different than it was 12-15 years ago. I grew up working two, sometimes three jobs just so I could follow my own American Dream. But today, it’s hard for the average person to even find one job.
Bottom-line is if we don’t begin pursing a solid policy agenda that puts working families and the middle class first, then performance and productivity levels in our regional economy will fall at an alarming rate and the promise of the American dream will continue to slip away.
Once elected, I will heavily pursue this issue in the state legislature. Quality is important to me. I’m running for State Representa! tive to assure hardworking families and individuals can earn a decent living, get a great education for their children and can retire with security. It’s all about helping people reach their full potential. I’m looking to secure and sustain the highest quality of life that can be attained for the people of Richland County. If asked why; it’s simply because I care about people. It’s time to move forward.
Elect me State Representative and I will not let our region fall behind. When opportunity presents, I will be there to fight for it on behalf of the people of Richland County. A vote for Bryant for State Representative is a vote for a better quality of life for our children, our grandchildren and overall, for our families and for the future of our district.
Don Bryant, District 2 State Representative Candidate
Richland County