Representative Tracy Richardson Shares her Experiences Since Swearing in

Dear Friends, Neighbors and Residents,

I’m enthusiastically reaching out to you as your new State Representative to share with you my experiences since swearing into office on January 7^th, 2019. It is an honor to be serving our 86^th District which is all of Union and most of Marion counties and to have the opportunity to make a difference.

Since the new year and the official start of my service, I’ve been engaged in many endeavors and I’m writing to share some of them to help keep you informed. Initially, I took care of administrative concerns like setting up an office and hiring my legislative aide. Thomas Hayworth, my aide, is responsible for answering phone calls, managing my very busy calendar and assisting me with emails and policy creation. My goal is to be connected to you, the residents I represent. We are located in offices on the 13^th floor of the Riffe Center building just across the street from the Ohio Statehouse. If you are ever in the area, I would love to see you and show you around.

Most recently, my office has seen a constant flow of visitors wanting to introduce themselves to me and explain their function/responsibilities in and around Capital Square. Truly, there has been nonstop movement of people in and out of my office. I’m learning a great deal about many issues and topics relating to our great State of Ohio! In addition to visitors, the entire group of Republican Representatives got together to “Caucus” and to get to know one another. We routinely Caucus to talk policy and exchange ideas. I’m quickly trying to develop new friends and relationships in order to get things done on behalf of our 86^th District and our state!

The Speaker of the House announced committee assignments for all State Representatives, and these committees are very important since all legislation goes through committees before being brought to the House Floor for a vote. I’ve been assigned to the Finance Committee and the Finance Subcommittee for Agriculture and Natural Resources which are extremely important and active groups. The Governor announced his budget request and it is now the responsibility of the Legislature to review, amend and vote on his proposal. I take this process very seriously and I am extremely busy and diligently reviewing the requests. Other members of the House have explained that for those of us on the Finance Committee, the budget will consume a great deal of time between now and July 1^st. I’m happy to jump in and work to the best of my ability in making smart and fiscally responsible decisions on behalf of all of you. My additional committees include Higher Education and Armed Services and Veteran’s Affairs. I’m excited to be moving forward on these committees.