Speaker Householder, Leader Sykes Unveiled Remaining Committee Room Cameras

COLUMBUS— Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) and Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today unveiled the last four committee rooms to be equipped with cameras.

Today’s announcement means all nine House committee hearing rooms are now equipped with cameras. Prior to this year, only one hearing room had cameras.

The installation of cameras and livestreaming of committee hearings is one of several reforms Householder led after becoming Speaker of the Ohio House in January. Other changes include reforming House rules to make the legislative process more open and collaborative, and improving human resources operations.

“Providing live camera access for committees in the Ohio House – the People’s House – is long overdue,” Speaker Householder said. “Ohioans will now be able to see their representatives at work even when they are not able to be here in person. The livestream and video archives will allow our citizens to access their government from anywhere. I am happy we were able to complete this process and get these cameras installed as House committees reconvene from summer recess.”

“Government transparency should never be a partisan issue and House Democrats have pushed for cameras in committee rooms for many years,” said Leader Sykes. “Taxpayers have a right to know what is happening in their statehouses and allowing a live look into the legislative process is key for ethical governing. That is why I was proud to work across the aisle with Speaker Householder to see this historic transition to fruition. With these much-needed reforms in transparency, Ohio taxpayers will now be better able to engage with and access their state government and elected officials.”