Business leaders speak with local elected officials at Regional Chamber event

HOWLAND, Ohio (WKBN) — Business leaders got the chance to speak to local elected officials at the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber’s Salute to Elected Officials Monday in Howland.

Local elected officials and business leaders filled the Grand Resort Hotel. It gave the chance for all to be in one room, network and share concerns.

“So public policy and good public policy decisions are critical to business growth and economic development growth, so we want them to know each other and understand each other better,” said Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber President Guy Coviello.

Elected officials from all levels of government were in attendance from the local up to state level with many of the main concerns around the economy.

“Property tax issues, just inflation issues, so those are the issues my constituents are most concerned about,” said Monica Robb-Blasdel (R) 79th District.

Inflation became one of the top issues heading into the last election. Now, those elected at the state level are attempting to help ease the burden.

“So what we’re trying to do at the state level is come up with policies that will put money into people’s pockets. I recently introduced a bill to exempt overtime wages from the state income tax, so anything we can do to put a little bit more money in their pockets and let people keep what they earn is a win for me,” said Tex Fischer (R) 58th District.

Congressman Michael Rulli also spoke at the event, sharing a perspective as an elected official and a business owner.

“The people out there are hurting. When I have a mom that has to stop at 60 bucks and she has a hundred dollars worth of groceries, what are you supposed to do? You go into your pocket and you pay the difference,” Rulli said. “You’re elected to be the last stop when there’s a problem.”

Some elected officials say they are hoping this new general assembly will help fix these issues.

“And what we have to do is just try and identify the problem and what we need to do to solve it and move forward. Whether it’s a Republican or a Democrat that works on that issue, really doesn’t matter as long as we move the Valley forward,’ said Nick Santucci (R) 64th District.