A Republican State Representative has been tapped to lead the Ohio House Finance Committee.
Ryan Smith replaces longtime Ron Amstutz. House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger announced the appointment Tuesday. It comes a day after the new General Assembly convened, and Rosenberger took over as speaker. Amstutz, a Wooster Republican, now has the No. 2 ranking position of speaker pro tempore. Smith was appointed to the House in April 2012 and is serving in his second full term. He was a member of the finance panel last session. Republican Gov. John Kasich is expected to make his budget pitch in early February.