President Trump’s time in elected office has been defined by draining the Washington, D.C., swamp and putting American manufacturers and working families first. I’m happy to report that Ohio’s elected leaders are now taking the same approach to Columbus.

The General Assembly cast a decisive vote in favor of Ohio consumers and manufacturers by passing HB 15, a landmark energy bill signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine that delivers key reforms that will deliver more reliable and affordable energy for the Buckeye State. This legislation couldn’t have come at a more critical time as our energy policy had failed to keep up with Ohio’s 21st century economy and the new era of commercial investment we have carefully fostered with constructive legislation and regulatory relief at the state level.

Since our nation’s Industrial Revolution, Ohio has been at the forefront of American manufacturing might. My experience as a business owner and my time on the House Energy Committee has shown me the invaluable role this sector plays in communities across Ohio and the U.S., and it has also given me a front row seat to the regulatory challenges and policy missteps that have saddled our manufacturers with unnecessary costs that hamper job growth and innovation.

Many of these headaches have stemmed from arcane energy and environmental policies. HB 15 is a giant first step towards correcting some of the statutory headwinds facing Ohio families and manufacturers. Specifically, the bill includes provisions to reduce the personal property tax on new electricity generation projects, promote accountability for consumers by eliminating utility riders that hiked energy bills, and repeal costly taxpayer subsidies for outdated projects. These constructive changes represent a consumer-friendly shift in our state’s energy policy and welcome news for Ohio families and entrepreneurs.

Now the question is whether other policymakers across the state will follow in the footsteps of the General Assembly and advance measures that spur economic growth and private investment. One bellwether is the decision on AEP’s proposal before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio that would put in place a new rate structure for data centers. This measure has significant implications for customers across the region and companies looking to develop infrastructure projects in Ohio. Already, Microsoft announced it was scaling back on Ohio data center projects valued at $1 billion, and industry analysts have highlighted AEP’s proposal as a contributing factor to this investment claw back.

It is absolutely necessary that we get the policy right if we are going to remain an industrial leader and an attractive destination for employers looking to build their plants and tap our skilled workforce. States like Indiana, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia are aggressively competing with Ohio for new investment, and we have seen electricity providers in those states work with large load customers to hash out deals that facilitate the construction of new facilities while protecting ratepayers and prioritizing transparency.

By taking a page out of President Trump’s playbook, Ohio legislators have prioritized consumers and delivered meaningful relief for families and manufacturers across our state. Now it’s time for regulators to follow suit.

Mike Loychik is a Niles resident who served two terms in the Ohio House of Representatives.