The energy policy in the state of Ohio will be the biggest issue facing legislators in Columbus for the remainder of this year, Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted told approximately 125 Republicans gathered Monday night for the Republican Party’s annual Century Club dinner at the Spillway Lodge.

Husted said legislators will be looking at ways to make sure there is an ample supply of energy at a reasonable price. “Energy issues are a growing concern across the globe because we have a growing demand,” Husted said. “We have a global economy and you have all these isssues. You have environmental issues that are affecting how you generate energy. We’re going to have to deal with those issues.”

Part of the plan, Husted said, is to set up a Renewable Energy Authority to help make sure that we are investing in the latest technology in solar and wind.

“Hopefully, through renewable energy, we can create a brand new industry in the state of Ohio and create jobs and also begin to solve some of our energy problems in this state,” Husted said.

“That’s a big issue,” he added. “As you might expect, when you have big businesses and small businesses and utility companies and everybody that is involved in this debate, you will have a lot of people trying to influence the outcome of that debate on Capitol Square. That’s the reason we’re trying to stay focused and make sure we get this done in a timely manner and set Ohio with a clear agenda to try and improve our economy.”

He said education reform is a very big challenge. “We still have pockets of educational despair in this state, both in some of our rural poor communities and urban areas. If you’ve visited any urban schools, you will see entire schools where no child is learning at their grade level. We’re trying to throw them a lifeline to give them better educational opportunities. It will be important for the future of our state that we have a better educated workforce. That’s the thing that continues to bother me,” Husted said.

To win in the future, Husted said we have to take charge of our economy by making sure that we have students who are educated, particularly in the stem areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine. “Those are the skills that are valued in the economy. Those are the skills that these children are going to need if they’re going to be successful. It’s the kind of skills individuals need in the workforce … . It is the foundation for the future of this country. We have to win in those areas.”

Husted told fellow Republicans that Ohio has been losing manufacturing jobs, both global exports and technology, but we can win the next generation of jobs. “Whether that be the alternative energy — solar, wind, hydrogen fuel cells, new medical devices for medical innovations that we have in biotechnology or agriculture technologies that increase productivity. We have all kinds of ways that we can do science and innovation to continue to win as a state and a nation. That is the attitude that I hope our presidential candidates will take, that they will have a positive attitude that America is not defeated, that America can and will compete and win in the global economy.”

He said we have to make a commitment to the things that are going to lay that foundation. “If we get a presidential candidate on our side that will stand up and take on those issues, they will be successful. As much as there’s a sense of economic insecurity that persists, we know that. We have to create jobs and help dispel some of those fears. I believe there is a pride among Americans that we can win, that we can do better and we can be the best if we reject the defeatist attitude.”

Husted said people ask him about the presidential race. He said there is a Web site called www.realclearpolitics.com that combines and analyzes all of the poll numbers. “With technology you can know just about as much as I do. No matter who our candidate is in the Republican Party, we have the benefit of having some good people running for office that represent a diversity of views and we’re going to need to bring Americans from all aspects of those diversity of views if we’re going to be successful in winning the presidency.”

Husted said he thought the election squabble of 2004 was behind us. “Unfortunately, it looks like we’re going to have to revisit that issue again in this presidential election year. We have another controversy about the voting machines here in the state. The secretary of state is making a suggestion that we scrap most of the (optical scan) voting machines in the state. To replace all of the voting machines that two years ago were put in place is going to cost the state $31 million if we pursue that method of action,” he said.

He acknowledged state Sen. John Carey and state Rep. David Daniels in the audience. “Senator Carey taught me everything I needed to know about the state budget when I was working with him on the Finance Committee when he was in the House. David Daniels is chairman of the state Government Committee. We send all the tough bills to Dave. He wants to get them out of his committee in a very timely fashion. He does a good job on the committee and has done a lot of important work. So, you’re well represented (in Columbus).”

Husted said that everything in the General Assembly hinges on the economic success of our state. “As Republicans leading in the General Assembly, John Carey and David Daniels are very much a part of this.”

Since he has been in office, Husted said he is most proud of the reformed tax code in the state two years ago which included the largest tax cut in Ohio’s history. “We’ll save Ohioans $2 billion a year when it is fully implemented. We’ll begin to start emphasizing and rewarding people for earning and investing in the state. This is a very, very important foundational change for our future.”

He stressed that Ohio lawmakers want people to invest here. “We don’t want to run people out of this state. We’re going to cut your taxes.“

Last year, taxes were increased in Michigan, while in Ohio they were lowered. “One of the things Ohio and Michigan both has is manufacturing competence. When people are looking at Ohio to locate jobs and grow businesses, they will find this out. As we’re bringing these new technologies and doing new kinds of manufacturing and growing, they’re going to look at where the most fertile places are to take root and grow,” he said.

He continued, “If we recognize the successes and we identify the next steps about where we need to go as a party, we will be successful in this presidential election because we will have a vision. People will know where we want to take them. Foundation principles and what you believe in guide you in tough times.

“We need to build a vision about where we want to take America. If we do that, we will not only win the majority in Washington, we will keep the majority in Ohio and we will be successful for years to come.”