Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today established Advantage Ohio, a regulatory reform initiative that will work on easing the unnecessary burdens of regulations that prohibit and constrain business and development in Ohio.
Advantage Ohio, a component of Strickland’s Turnaround Ohio Plan, calls for a focused review of current regulations, eliminating those that are unnecessary, redundant and contradictory while ensuring quality of life and health protections for Ohioans.
“To give Ohio a competitive advantage, we must identify and eliminate inefficient and drawn-out regulatory processes and turn to a common-sense approach to regulation,” Strickland said.
Advantage Ohio will continue through the first year of the Strickland administration and rely upon existing state resources for implementation. The plan calls for a review of selected regulations and practices in executive branch agencies that have significant links with the business community.
“We must make sure that business regulation is clear, predictable and stable to allow businesses to plan and invest in Ohio,” Strickland said.
Strickland designated Columbus lawyer Scott North as the Governor’s Special Representative on Regulatory Reform to direct the Advantage Ohio initiative. He will begin work effective immediately.
North will lead working groups consisting of representatives from business, government and the general public that will make recommendations to reduce unnecessary regulatory impediments to economic growth, while continuing to protect the interests of consumers and the health and safety of Ohio’s citizens.
“I am honored that Governor Strickland has asked me to head this important effort, which I believe will go a long way toward achieving the governor’s goal of job creation and retention,” North said. “This initiative will demonstrate that lasting progress can be made by working hand-in-hand with the business community, government and consumers.”
North, 48, is a native of Dayton. Before joining the Strickland administration, North served as a litigation partner in the Columbus office of Porter, Wright, Morris and Arthur. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1980 with an honors degree in economics and received his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1983.
North resides in Columbus with his wife, Debbie, who is also a native of Dayton.