Ohio’s House is now officially in session

Published 12:00 am Sunday, January 9, 2011

Last week, I moved into my Columbus office in the Vern Riffe Center, across the street from the Ohio Statehouse. The move signified to me the start of the 129th General Assembly.

I was sworn in Monday, January 3, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to once again represent the 87th Ohio House District.

In addition to Governor-elect John Kasich being sworn in as governor of our great state and the Legislature having a new House Speaker and Senate President, a lot of fresh faces can be seen around the Statehouse.

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About one-third of the legislators for this General Assembly are new to the job, yet I can still find some familiar faces in the House chamber—one of them being House Speaker William G. Batchelder.

I greatly admire Speaker Batchelder’s dedication to the people of Ohio. Being a stickler for process while also holding open debate and testimony to the highest esteem, these character traits of his will be very important as we move forward with this General Assembly and address the state’s most important issues.

I’m very honored that he chose me to be Vice Chairman of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee, where I will be working with Chairman Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster)—a man who I have served with in both legislative chambers and whose fine character and ability continue to astound me.

As I mentioned before, working with these seasoned and capable individuals during this General Assembly are many new faces who bring a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective to our work in Columbus. The new blood—with the mixture of experience—I believe will lead to a productive session.

Although some critics in the media have faulted the previous Legislature for not passing as many bills as legislatures of the past, I believe it is more important to pass legislation that serves the best interest of the state through creating an environment where individuals and businesses can prosper—not meet a quota.

As our first week in the new Legislature draws to a close, we already have numerous legislative ideas that will help restore our state’s economy.

In his inaugural address, Speaker Batchelder outlined some goals that the Ohio House will pursue throughout the next two years, one of those goals being the repeal of the estate tax. Most of us do not have to worry about the estate tax, but there are many Ohioans with businesses and farms who believe that individuals should not be taxed twice on their assets upon their death. After all, don’t we want to pass our life’s work and savings on to our children and loved ones instead of being forced to relinquish it to the state?

I can tell you with firsthand knowledge that the Ohio estate tax is costing the state jobs and population. Ohio is one of only thirteen states that has an estate tax. Eliminating the estate tax—or “death tax,” as some call it—is one very clear way to keep successful people in our state while protecting family farms and small businesses.

As we embark on an exciting and eventful legislative session, please feel free to contact my office with your views and concerns regarding state government. Thanks again for allowing me to serve as your representative.

John Carey serves in Ohio’s 87th District of the House of Representatives, which includes eastern Lawrence County. He may be reached at (614) 466-1366 or by writing to: Ohio House of Representatives, 77 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. He can also be reached via e-mail his office at District87@ohr.state.oh.us.