The PIA Public Affairs Team puts your Agent Clout to work through our advocacy with the legislative and insurance regulatory divisions of our state government. Through continual government advocacy efforts, PIA keeps professional independent insurance agents informed and at the table when important insurance regulations and insurance policy measures are debated.

PIA of Ohio employs a full-time lobbyist who represents insurance agents by working with the Ohio Department of Insurance and with legislators at the Ohio Statehouse. In addition, the PIA Public Affairs Team keeps you informed about the issues that matter most to you and your professional insurance agency's business interests. Read the latest issue of ProAction to learn about recent government and industry news.

Part of PIA's success in keeping your Agent Clout strong is through the success of IMPACT, PIA's political action committee. IMPACT helps independent agents across the state have a voice in the political arena by supporting the election of sensible leaders who will listen to agent and industry concerns.

Learn more about IMPACT and how your contributions to IMPACT can help increase Agent Clout.


LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS NEWS

BWC Board Rejects Public Input and Increases Premiums for 2008;
Lowers Group Rating Discount to 85%
On the day before Thanksgiving, the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Board opted to ignore its actuary committee’s recommendation to slow the rate of its proposed increase in premium costs for group-rated employers. The committee’s recommendation for a more reasoned approach, with a moderate increase, followed a public hearing where PIA and several other interested parties testified about the effects a drastic increase would have on nearly 100,000 Ohio employers. The BWC had claimed the public hearing was scheduled to hear directly from citizens, employers and organizations about how the proposed changes would affect all parties. Unfortunately, the bureau crammed "public input" into a two hour window - then ignored the committee recommendation that arose from the public’s concerns. Learn more.