Wayne Lawrence, Weiss Movers
EMPLOYMENT/UNEMPLOYMENT
Ohio’s unemployment rate fell slightly to 4.7 percent in December, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), down from 4.8 percent in November. The state added 2,500 jobs over the month, going from a revised 5,539,700 in November to 5,542,200 in December 2017.
SECRETARY OF STATE
Secretary of State Jon Husted announced that 117,429 entities filed to do business in 2017, which he said broke a record from the year before. Husted said the previous record from 2016 was 105,009 new entities registering in the state. 2017 was the eighth consecutive year to see an increase in filings.
STATE GOVERNMENT
The state Office of Budget and Management (OBM) said Friday it was closely following the threat of a federal shutdown and coordinating with state agencies to prepare for the possibility. “In the event a continuing resolution is not in place, OBM is prepared to work with affected state agencies to manage known impacts on their programs and operations and implement strategies to limit potential impacts due to the absence of Federal spending authority. Given Ohio’s current fiscal good health, it is our general sense that any such challenges can be successfully managed.” OBM spokesman John Charlton noted that federal money has already been drawn down to allow affected state programs to continue for some time. “As far as short term impacts, there are few, if any,” he said. The shutdown did occur but lasted only three days.
TAXATION
A new, optional municipal tax filing and collections system that allows businesses to centrally file and pay municipal net profit taxes through the Ohio Business Gateway is now accepting registrations, the Ohio Society of CPAs (OSCPA) announced. As businesses prepare for the tax season, the deadline to register to opt-in to central filing in 2018 is Thursday, March 1. The election is binding for one tax year
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) on Thursday began rolling out a new, free workplace wellness program focused on workers at greater risk for on-the-job injuries. “Better You, Better Ohio!” seeks to boost employee health, reduce workplace injuries and save employers money on medical, legal and other costs associated with injury claims and poor health.
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