Valley House Republicans get committee assignments
Three of the Republican members of the Ohio House who represent the Mahoning Valley were named committee vice chairs.
State Rep. Tex Fischer, R-Boardman, was appointed Tuesday as vice chair of the House General Government Committee while state Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel, R-Columbiana, was selected as vice chair of the House Natural Resources Committee.
Fischer, who was appointed to a vacant seat in June 2024 and then elected to a full four-year term in November, also was named by House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, to serve on three other committees: Energy, Development and Natural Resources.
“I’m very happy with the committees and I’m looking forward to a productive session,” Fischer said.
General Government is a newly-created committee that will work on reforming how state government operates while Energy and Natural Resources used to be one committee.
“I’m going to work on creating consistency to help with economic development,” Fischer said. “Our state has issues with permitting and zoning processes. I want to find a way to respect local governments while finding consistency. It is one of my priorities.”
Fischer said the Energy Committee in particular is going to be very active working to find ways to generate and transmit energy.
Fischer represents the 59th Ohio House District, which includes portions of Mahoning County and two townships in Columbiana County.
Robb Blasdel, who is also serving her second two-year term, was named vice chairwoman of the Natural Resources Committee. She is a member of three others: Energy, Transportation, and Arts, Athletics and Tourism.
Blasdel’s 79th House District includes all but two townships in Columbiana County and all of Carroll County.
State Rep. Lauren McNally, D-Youngstown, said the House Democrats received the list of committees Tuesday and will turn in their preferences shortly. She expects to find out her committee assignments some time next week.
McNally represents the 58th House District, which includes portions of Mahoning County.