While Ohio University students have been away, officials in Athens and Columbus have been busy passing legislation and preparing for a new year
About the same time Ohio University students were packing up their bags and heading home for a month-long rest, local and state legislators were cementing budgets and pushing through their final proposals.
Athens City Council members held two legislative meetings with their own break during the month that Ohio University students were on break.
On the legislative body’s Dec. 15 meeting, council members closed the books on 2014 by updating city employee budgets and benefits.
On the agenda that night, council members elected to raise their wages from $7,537 to $7,612 a year; though the increase will not take place until 2016 when the new term for councilmembers begin.
The legislative body then took a two-week break.
Council reconvened for its first meeting of 2015 on Jan. 5, passing a resolution to officially thank former Council President Jim Sands for his many years of service.
“I can’t think of any better way to bring in 2015 than to thank Jim for his work,” Councilwoman Chris Knisely, D-At large said.
Sands announced he would be stepping down from his position in early December. At the Athens County Democratic Party meeting on Dec. 10, it was announced that Knisely would be taking his place at the earliest possible moment.
She will step in as city council president at the council meeting Jan. 12.
On the state-level, members of the Ohio legislature also wrapped up a number of 2014 bills in late December.
State Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-Albany, who represents Athens, worked to pass a “school safety drill” bill, which relaxes regulations on fire drills in public schools in favor of safety drills, preparing students for imposing threats.
The idea for the bill came from Athens residents, Phillips said.
The legislature also passed a bill that that could make reapportionment – which determines how representative districts are drawn – more fair.
Legislators returned to the statehouse in Columbus Jan. 5 for opening ceremonies.
“The opening day is largely ceremonial,” Phillips said. “There’s an opportunity for (legislative leaders) to set the tone.”
She said that this year’s opening ceremonies placed a high emphasis on bipartisanship.
“It gives me hope,” she said.
Phillips was sworn in to begin a new term after her reelection in November.
Senator Lou Gentile, D-Athens, was elected to continue his role as the Ohio Senate assistant minority whip. That will be his second year serving in the role.
Gentile added he hopes to serve on the state’s budget committee.
“I’m optimistic,” he said. “It’s an important committee to serve on.”
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