Public Policy

Working to build better regions through public policy is an important focus of Ohio’s regional planning and development organizations. By bringing together public and private sector, government and non-profit, and citizens and stakeholders, Ohio’s regional planning and development organizations serve as a catalyst for creating innovative, collaborative public policy solutions to address our local and state challenges. The public policy work is designed to be proactive and provide new policies that enhance the quality of life in Ohio’s regions but also specifically address issues in the areas of transportation, environment, housing, energy, economic development, elderly, local food production and land use.

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MORPC’s 2011 Public Policy Agenda

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s (MORPC) 2011 Public Policy Agenda aims to reflect the objectives and ideals of both MORPC’s members and the greater community for an even stronger 12-county central Ohio region. By placing issues within three tiers (Lead, Collaborate and Follow), Roundtable members were able to create a strategic agenda that will be used to educate elected officials and stakeholders. The Public Policy Agenda is by no means considered a final document – it will evolve and change as important issues arise. MORPC utilizes this framework to proactively advocate for policies and opportunities to enhance the quality of life in central Ohio and advance the region.

TMACOG’s 2010-2011 Transportation Legislative Agenda

Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) and a group of partners representing elected officials, planning agencies, economic development organizations, engineers, and industry groups cooperated to create a Transportation Legislative Agenda for northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. This document is a tool for legislators who are making decisions affecting our region. It clearly states this region’s transportation needs and plans and demonstrates that area leaders have a consensus. The Transportation Legislative Agenda is reviewed and updated as needed. It is one of many tools we use to communicate with state and federal decision-makers.

Ohio Commission on Local Government Reform and Collaboration

OARC served on the Commission on Local Government Reform and Collaboration, created by the General Assembly in 2008 to develop recommendations for how local governments can more effectively collaborate and how to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of local government operations, thereby reducing costs to taxpayers and helping to facilitate economic development in Ohio. The Commission met between 2009 and 2010 throughout the state and released a final report in 2010. One of the recommendations by the Commission was that Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) be given a formalized role in state government, as they are federally recognized agencies under direction of elected officials that currently fulfill regional roles related to transportation, land use and environmental issues.