Guest Column from State Representative Tom Patton: A Legislative Year in Review

As a member of the Ohio House Republican Caucus, we have had a busy 2017. In addition to debating and passing the state budget for fiscal years 2018 and 2019, we had multiple task forces traveling the state to learn more about Ohio’s most pressing issues and passed many bills that aligned with our policy platform, the Buckeye Pathway. Our goals for this General Assembly have been to improve the economic environment, enhance opportunities for all Ohioans, and strengthen families and communities.

Developing a state budget that both prioritized responsible spending and contributed to quality lives for all Ohioans was difficult during this cycle. With tax revenues that came in under estimates, we had to consider essential services and critical issues while restraining spending. I’m proud of the budget we put forth, which ensured that a majority of schools would not lose state funding while increasing per-pupil funds as well. We also invested $180 million in new money towards the opioid epidemic under the HOPES (Heroin, Opioids, Prevention, Education, and Safety) Agenda.

The budget covered a number of other matters that are crucial for keeping the state operating at full-speed, but it is only a portion of the work we’ve done this year. Several months ago, the Speaker announced the creation of five bipartisan task forces that would be responsible for researching and addressing a specific policy area. The task forces focused on Alzheimer’s and Dementia, Education and Poverty, BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) and Military Affairs, Energy, and HOPES. These groups have met with concerned Ohioans, local officials, and policy experts to get more insight into the biggest problems our state is facing.

We’ve also passed many pieces of legislation that make up the founding values of the Buckeye Pathway. From improving communication between law enforcement and those with communication disabilities to championing palliative care initiatives, our work has been solely focused on making Ohio a better place for you and your family to enjoy a quality life.

The year has come to an end, but our commitment to legislating for the good of the people never fails. As 2018 begins, I’m looking forward to continuing along this same line to do more for Ohio at the Statehouse. I hope you and your family had a blessed 2017 and a happy holiday season!