COLUMUBUS - State Representative Barbara Sears (R-Sylvania) today
announced the creation of a legislative task force to study Ohio's
changing automobile industry. Sears will soon be appointed as member of
the study group.
"I appreciate the opportunity to serve on this task force," Sears said.
"It is absolutely crucial that we study all the laws that affect Ohio's
automotive manufacturing industry, and we need to look at how our
franchise laws and consumer protections impact the needs of Ohioans and
the industry."
Monday, the Ohio Senate agreed to the creation of the Joint Select
Committee on the Impact of the Changing Automobile Industry in Ohio. The
committee was created through House Resolution 24, which passed
unanimously from the Ohio House last week. The committee will examine
the state's automotive business as it relates to manufacturers,
suppliers, dealers and consumers, including franchise laws, consumer
protection issues and warranties.
The committee will consist of six legislators, three from the Senate and
three from the House. After completion of the analysis, the committee
will make recommendations concerning Ohio's laws that regulate and
support the automotive industry.
"I'm looking forward to a short but intense study of these issues,"
Sears said. "The automotive industry is critically important to Ohio,
specifically to Lucas County, so it is necessary that we take some time
to review the industry and its future in Ohio."
Ohio ranks second in the nation in number of jobs associated with
automotive manufacturing, with more than 10 percent of the Ohio
workforce employed in this sector. The recent bankruptcies of General
Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC have contributed significantly to the
rising unemployment in northwest Ohio.
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