Lawmakers from region get key roles on Ohio House panels

Staff report

COLUMBUS — Valley lawmakers will serve in leadership positions on seven of 32 Democrat-controlled legislative committees.

House Speaker Armond Budish, a Democrat from the Cleveland area, and Minority Leader Bill Batchelder, a Republican from Medina, announced the committee setup late Tuesday.

Among the committee assignments announced Tuesday:

UAs anticipated, Rep. Vernon Sykes, a Democrat from Akron, was named chairman of finance, the committee that will take up Gov. Ted Strickland’s budget proposal. Rep. Linda Bolon, a Democrat from Columbiana County, was named vice chairwoman of that committee.

URep. Mark Okey, a Democrat from the Carrollton area, was named chairman of the Civil and Commercial Law Committee.

URep. Sandra Stabile Harwood, a Democrat from Niles, was named chairwoman of the Judiciary Committee.

URep. Tom Letson, a Democrat from Warren, was named chairman of Ways and Means and vice chairman of the Insurance Committee.

URep. Ron Gerberry, a Democrat from the Austintown area, was named chairman of the State Government Committee.

URep. Bob Hagan, a Democrat from Youngstown, was named chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.