While they’re not scheduled to meet again this month, the new Ohio General Assembly has been sworn in. There are a total of four more Republicans than the last two years, as the state heads into the process of creating a new two-year budget. Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler reports.
Republican dominate the House 64-35. The GOP lost a House seat, but gained four others – Republicans knocked off incumbent Democrats in the Youngstown area and Ravenna, and picked up two seats held by term limited Democrats.
In the Senate, Democrats now have 8 of 33 seats, with Youngstown area incumbent Sean O’Brien’s loss to Republican Sandra O’Brien. Twenty two members of the Ohio House – almost a quarter – are new. But two – Republican Jean Schmidt of southwest Ohio and Democrat Daniel Troy of northeast Ohio – are returning after holding other elective offices.
Six Senators are new to the chamber – but four were state reps.
Two thirds of the Ohio House are men, and three quarters of Senators are men.