Quarterly Policy Update: "And... They're Off!" Welcome to the 132nd Ohio General Assembly

Complete Story

By: Belinda Jones - OABA Government Relations Counsel

The 132 General Assembly was officially sworn-in on January 3, 2017. This is always an exciting time for those of us around Capital Square: new faces, new priorities and great anticipation for a long winter and spring of hard work on the state's operating budget and other bills.

Governor Kasich will unveil his final operating budget on January 31 and much of the legislature's work the first half of 2017 will be dedicated to this bill. With the exception of the legislative Spring Break lasting from April 10 to April 21, the General Assembly will be active from February through June. The budget is expected to be difficult at best, with an anticipated deficit of nearly one billion dollars (due to declining state revenues and a federal decision regarding Medicaid).

While we await the Governor's budget, we thought it would be helpful to provide you with a concise summary of the House of Representatives and Senate leadership teams and what we know to date about committee chair appointments. Before doing so, a reminder of the composition of the House and Senate is in order.

House and Senate Republicans added to their supermajorities by picking up additional Republican seats. In the Ohio Senate, Republicans defeated incumbent and former Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Lou Gentile (D; Steubenville) with the election of Frank Hoagland (R; Adena). Ohio House Republicans picked up one new Republican seat as Rep. Jay Edwards (R; Nelsonville) was elected to an open seat created by the departure of term-limited Rep. Debbie Phillips (D; Athens).

The Ohio Senate has eight 'new' faces who, other than Senator Hoagland and recently appointed Senator Wilson (filling the unexpired term of Sen. Shannon Jones who was elected to Warren County Commission), are not 'new' per se. Of the eight, six of the new Senators are coming (directly or recently) from the Ohio House.

In the lower chamber, the Ohio House welcomes 21 'new' faces but of those 21, only 16 are brand new. The 132 General Assembly welcomes back to the House former Senate President Keith Faber, and former Senators Hughes, Patton and Seitz. Also, making a return appearance is former House Speaker Larry Householder (R; Glenford). But even with all of the returnees, OABA leadership will be reaching out to the 16 brand new members. In subsequent articles, we will introduce you to the new faces and we will be urging you to get to know your legislator!

Thus far, 2017 has been 'organizational' for the House and the Senate. The Caucuses for both chambers have been holding their 'retreats' or 'advances' as they get ready to announce committee assignments and priority bills. While we are still waiting on committee chair and full committee assignments for the Ohio Senate, the House announced committee chair assignments last week.

With respect to the committee assignments, I am pleased to let you know that State Rep. Brian Hill (R; Zanesville) will be returning as House Agriculture Committee Chairman. Rep. Kyle Koehler (R; Springfield) will be Vice Chairman. In subsequent communications, we will be introducing you to the many faces of Rep. Koehler.

Additionally, the leadership teams are as follows:

Ohio House of Representatives: (66R / 33D)

Majority Leadership

• Speaker of the House: Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville)
• Speaker Pro-Tempore: Kirk Schuring (R-Canton)
• Majority Floor Leader: Dorothy Pelanda (R-Marysville)
• Assistant Majority Floor Leader: Sarah LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Township)
• Majority Whip: Tom Patton (R-Strongsville)
• Assistant Majority Whip: Robert McColley (R-Napoleon)
• Finance Committee Chair: Ryan Smith (R-Bidwell)

Minority Leadership

• Minority Leader: Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton)
• Assistant Minority Leader: Nicholas Celebrezze (D-Parma)
• Minority Whip: Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood)
• Assistant Minority Whip: Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron)

Ohio Senate: (24R / 9D)

Majority Leadership

• President of the Senate: Larry Obhof (R-Medina)
• President Pro-Tempore: Bob Peterson (R-Sabina)
• Majority Floor Leader: Randy Gardner (R-Bowling Green)
• Majority Whip: Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville)
• Finance Committee Chair: Scott Oelslager (R-Canton)

Minority Leadership

• Minority Leader: Joe Schiavoni (D-Boardman)
• Assistant Minority Leader: Charleta Tavares (D-Columbus)
• Minority Whip: Edna Brown (D-Toledo)
• Assistant Minority Whip: Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati)

In conclusion, rest assured that your leadership at OABA will continue to enhance our relationship with all members of the 132nd General Assembly. But we need your help, too! Do you know your legislators personally? If not, please contact Chris Henney or me ([e-mail]) so we may help you help OABA through relational outreach!