Ghanbari and Latta speak on growing economy

PERRYSBURG — Jobs and the economy were popular topics for guest speakers Rep. Bob Latta, R-Bowling Green, and State Rep. Haraz Ghanbari, R-Perrysburg, as they fielded questions during the Northern Wood County Republican Club meeting on Monday at the Carpenters Local 351 Hall.

“Facilities like this are driving our economy,” Latta said, extending his arm out to the sign of the Carpenter’s Union hall.

Introductions were provided by Perrysburg High School student Jack Bowe. He started his own political podcast, called “The Jack Bowe Show,” while having to spend so much time at home with a hybrid school schedule. He also asked the opening questions of the legislators.
 
“The number one issue I have when I cross my district is I hear ‘we can’t find employees,’” Latta said. “We’ve got to have the economy where people can get those jobs.”

He talked about the growth in Wood County, with the announcement of the new Peloton facility that will be bringing an estimated 2,200 jobs. At the same time he’s seeing both small businesses and entire industries, like the trucking industry, that can’t find employees.

“We have to make sure that we have the people that have the skills to get these jobs. Again, I go to my career centers across my district, they are training people to get their CDLs … to drive trucks at $25 an hour,” Latta said.

Ghanbari agreed.

“I certainly hope that Peloton is looking at the skilled trades in Northwest Ohio,” Ghanbari said.

The legislators’ opinions on a federally mandated increase to the minimum wage was also asked, including the raising of the minimum wage for people in the restaurant industry.
 
The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, while in Ohio it is $8.80 per hour. In the Ohio restaurant industry, for those who receive tips, the hourly wage is $4.40 per hour. Meanwhile, the federal tipped minimum wage is $2.13 per hour.

Ghanbari talked about his experiences working in restaurants, during high school. He had a job as a server at a Max and Erma’s.

“I believe those restaurants should be paying their employees a livable wage. Simply paying someone $2 per hour, and making them rely on tips, well, I think you can see what the pandemic has done as far as some folks patronizing those restaurants,” Ghanbari said.

He also spoke about the increase to $15 per hour, as a federal mandate on states.

“Having the federal government mandate all those significant increases to $15 per hour, I don’t think that’s the government’s place to do that. In a free market society, people will flock to those businesses that if they don’t get good food and they don’t get good service they aren’t going to come back,” Ghanbari said.

Other subjects covered over the two-hour meeting included: critical race theory, state educational testing, the 1776 Initiative, election reform, improving the postal system, Social Security, immigration, cyber security and pipelines.

In the audience was former Ohio Speaker of the House Charles Kurfess, Perrysburg school board members Sue Larimer and Kelly Ewbank, Perrysburg Councilman Barry VanHoozen, Wood County Commissioner Ted Bowlus and Wood County Republican Party Chairman Jon Jakubowski.

The monthly event is open to the public.