Rep. Adam Mathews Celebrates Ohio's Ranking as Top State for Business

State Representative Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) celebrated the recent announcement that the State of Ohio has been named number one in the nation for business, according to CNBC America’s Top States for Business rankings.

“We are taking the steps necessary to ensure Ohio reclaims its role as not just the economic engine of the Midwest, but of the whole country,” Mathews said. 

Representative Mathews championed several pieces of legislation during the 136th and 135th General Assemblies that worked to create a better business environment and boost economic development in Ohio.

House Bill 30: Phase-down the state income tax to a flat rate of 2.75% (ultimately established in the State Operating Budget for tax year 2026).

“From a historical maximum of nine tax brackets and a top rate of nearly 10%, Ohio will now have a flat tax of 2.75%, with only Arizona and those states without income tax lower than us,” Mathews said. “This budget moves Ohio forward and is a reflection of our duty to serve as good stewards of our state and constituents’ tax dollars.” 

House Bill 195: Revises Ohio’s Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) to reflect new technologies in contract law, including digital assets such as cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (signed by the Governor on 7/7/26).

“When the technology of business changes, it is the duty of the legislature to evaluate the best way to update the laws,” Mathews said. “With this bill, our contracts and related jurisprudence are clarified for judges, attorneys, lending institutions, and everyday Ohioans.”

House Bill 313: Establishes a grant program to promote housing growth in Ohio (ultimately established in the State Operating Budget). 

"Growing Ohio's economy and supporting our families requires investment in new housing construction,” said Rep. Mathews. “We crafted this program to promote the adoption of pro-housing policies throughout Ohio, give local communities flexibility in determining which policies best fit their needs, and award grant funding to maximize impact on our housing needs. I am grateful to each of the communities that submitted applications and look forward to this program continuing to support new housing being built in Ohio." 

House Bill 121: Simplifies the process for filing municipal net profits taxes in relation to remote work (135th General Assembly - ultimately established in the State Operating Budget).

“Our goal is to simplify remote work and treat Ohio’s workers fairly,” Mathews said. “If passed, this bill will restore efficiency in Ohio’s workforce.”

House Bill 179: Simplifies the legal system by clarifying against which parties and in what time frame a suit must be brought for certain cases (135th General Assembly). 

“Our intent is to ensure transparency, clarity, and easily understood standards for all our businesses, hospitals, and attorneys,” said Rep. Mathews during committee testimony. 

House Bill 331: Ensures villages are providing proper services for their residents by creating a process for village dissolution following each decennial census (135th General Assembly).

“Villages are important and have a real duty to their citizens,” Mathews said. “This bill ensures our voters have control to keep our local governments accountable.” 

Representative Mathews also voted in support of initiatives this General Assembly that helped to maintain a favorable regulatory climate and addressed the issues that matter most to Ohioans: providing tax relief, creating jobs, boosting energy generation, and improving access to workforce training, affordable housing, and more.

BOOSTING COMMUNITIES: Ohio’s Capital Budget allocates millions of dollars to fund hundreds of community projects across Ohio, making renovations to communities, schools, and neighborhoods; further establishing Ohio as the best place to do business, live, work, and raise a family. 

The state has also invested over $415 million for the All Ohio Future Fund and $900 million for brownfield remediation, helping to increase the number of shovel-ready job sites across the state. 

BOLSTERING OHIO’S ECONOMY: The Ohio House recently passed legislation that brings Ohio’s Budget Stabilization Fund balance to over $4 billion, reinforcing Ohio’s strong fiscal foundation and long-term economic stability. Ohio also holds a Triple-A bond rating from all three major credit rating agencies.

IMPLEMENTING A FLAT TAX: Additionally, Republicans in the legislature have continued to phase down the state income tax in recent years, providing savings for Ohioans. The state’s most recent budget plan took the top tax bracket down from 3.5% to 3.125% in tax year 2025 and down to 2.75% in tax year 2026, and into the future. The move to a flat tax makes Ohio more competitive with other states, simplifies the tax code, and spurs revenue. 

INCREASING ENERGY GENERATION: Through House Bill 15, Ohio House Republicans created a comprehensive strategy to ensure Ohio can meet the growing electricity demand created by business growth and economic development. This law helps significantly boost the development underway into both behind-the-meter and grid-connected projects, resulting in more energy generation for businesses and Ohio residents. 

STRENGTHENING OHIO’S TOP INDUSTRIES: The legislature continues to support Ohio’s top industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, energy, aerospace, and defense industries, through legislation that drives innovation, creates and retains good, high-paying jobs, and keeps Ohio competitive.