Now is the time to review MIRA’s Energy Savings Program, which can save you several thousand dollars annually on electric rates. The Ohio Public Utilities Commission has approved a rate plan for American Electric Power that will see increases of 5% to 7% in the first year of a 3 year plan. This will affect…
Each year, Ohio employers have the opportunity to participate in the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Group-Experience-Rating Program or Group-Retrospective-Rating Program. While these programs are not required, they do provide an opportunity to significantly reduce workers’ compensation premiums, while increasing awareness of safety and risk-management strategies. A group-rating program is a partnership that includes…
Ohio’s ban on texting and driving took effect August 31, 2012. Activities like typing, sending, receiving and reading emails, tweets, and status updates are now illegal. Drivers who engage in this activity can be ticketed by the police. The law does not carve out an exception for “just a quick email,” responding to an angry…
The Ohio State Fire Marshall has begun inspecting retail gasoline facilities. According to an MIRA board member, the inspection was “very thorough.” They were required to show proof that they had successfully completed the mandatory training, had trained their Class B and C employees, and met all the requirements of the BUSTR regulations. Business owners…
All WIC vendors are asked to complete a UPC Database survey by October 19 to indicate your plan to incorporate the UPC database. The Ohio WIC program is in the process of planning for statewide implementation of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT), with a targeted roll-out date of 2015. A series of additional communications and surveys…
Premium refunds of $48,000,000 are projected for employer participants in CareWorks Consultants’ workers’ compensation Group Retrospective Rating programs, representing an average of $28,000 per employer. This outstanding performance has spurred more than a 3,000% increase in the number of employers participating in a CareWorks Consultants’ plan since the programs were introduced in 2009. CareWorks Consultants’…
UPDATE: As previously reported MIRA opposed the initial Ohio EPA plan to exempt ground-up, new-to-industry locations from the requirement to install Stage II because we feel current operators should also be exempt if they make the appropriate upgrades. MIRA met with Ohio EPA and industry leaders on Nov. 5, and Ohio EPA has agreed to…
Some Ohio families will see their monthly food stamp amount cut $25 on average come January 1, but the reduction won’t be as a severe as state officials and food bank operators first feared. A week ago, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services was reportedly planning to cut monthly assistance by an average…
Effective January 1, 2013, Ohio SNAP/Food Stamp recipients began receiving $10 to $20 less per month in benefit amounts, based on a change in the Standard Utility Allowance, a deduction in income for household utility costs that is used to determine eligibility. Because of last winter’s unusually warm weather, it cost less for many SNAP/Food…
Last week, Governor John Kasich introduced the details for his biennial budget for Fiscal Years 2014-2015. In it, there are many proposals that are expected to create spirited debate within the Ohio Legislature over the next few months. Some of the highlights include: Income tax reform: In Governor Kasich’s proposal, the administration takes the first…