MANSFIELD — A book left on his desk when he became a state representative in 2013 still has Mark Romanchuk’s attention as a new state senator.
The book, “Rich States/Poor States,” by Arthur Laffer, Stephen Moore and Jonathan Williams, compares economic performance across all 50 states.
Speaking Monday during the Richland County Republican Party’s monthly luncheon at DLX in downtown Mansfield, Romanchuk said Ohio was ranked 47th by the authors when the Ontario businessman and engineer arrived in Columbus.
“We were fighting for last place with Michigan,” he said. “It was unbelievable. I literally was shocked. I had no idea the State of Ohio was doing that poorly.”
The state’s performance has improved in the past eight years and was rated 38th in 2020. It’s since improved to 36th, according to the website, based on issues such as income, property, corporate and sales tax rates, among other benchmarks.
“We have passed some legislation that has helped our economy tremendously over the years,” Romanchuk said. “I am happy to announce there is an interest in the General Assembly to improve it even more.”
Romanchuk and fellow Sen. George Lang (R-West Chester) are co-chairs of the Senate’s “Business First Caucus,” a large group he said which will push for legislation that helps the state’s business climate.
Romanchuk, who served four terms in the Ohio House before winning the race for the 22nd Senate District in November, said his goal is to move Ohio into the Top 10 of the rankings.
One of the keys, in addition to taxes, is reducing the amount of regulation required of Ohio businesses. He said the state has far more regulations than other, comparable states.
“So look for a bill that will require a 30-percent cut over the next five years from all state agencies. We are gonna cut regulations. And for every new regulation they put in, they have to take two out,” Romanchuk said.
“We’re gonna push this. I am not interested in 38th, or 29th. I want to see Ohio in the top 10, or the top five,” he said.
During a question-and-answer session, Romanchuk was asked about the future of the 179th Airlift Wing and its flying mission for the Ohio Air National Guard.
The U.S. Air Force has announced plans to dial back the number of older C-130H models in its fleet, eight of which call Mansfield home. That divestiture could mean the end of the local flying mission in a unit that generates about $80 million in local economic impact annually. As many as 1,000 jobs could also be at stake.
Romanchuk said he and state Rep. Marilyn John (R-Shelby) will work to pass a state resolution in support of the flying mission that will be sent to Washington, D.C.
“That resolution will say clearly, ‘Ohio wants to keep this flying mission,'” Romanchuk said.
The senator asked some children in the audience Monday what they heard when the unit’s transport aircraft fly overhead.
“It’s the sound of freedom you hear flying over your house,” he said.
Romanchuk was called on to speak Monday after Ohio Right to Life President Michael Gonidakis was unable to make it from Columbus to Mansfield due to the snow.
Prior to the meeting, Romanchuk swore in new Mansfield City Council at-large member Stephanie Zader. She was selected last week by party members to fill an unexpired term on City Council.
