Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More
Continue in Browser
Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts.
Please enter a valid zipcode.
Save
COLUMBUS, Ohio — It’s a new year, and Ohio lawmakers are gearing up for the new session, but before they do that, they’re sharing some of their goals for 2025.
One thing in common is having people you love and wanting to spend time with them.
“I’ve got three little girls and an amazing wife who love me and deserve my time,” Republican Secretary of State of Ohio Frank LaRose said.
State Senator Jerry Cirino, R-district 18, has a huge family. He said he has nine children and 38 grandchildren.
Cirino said family is a big priority for him.
“I look forward to continuing to spend time with my whole family,” Cirino said, “but improving on that and spending more quality time with them.”
State Rep. Heidi Workman, R-Portage County, has similar goals.
“I would like to diversify and really pull in some more of those family recipes,” Workman said.
But lawmakers reflect on past years differently.
They often measure success with what they were able to bring on the legislator’s table and in the community.
"We had well over 160,000 new businesses that started in 2024, and I hope that that number is going to go even higher,” LaRose said.
They often have to overcome huge challenges.
“I ran through another competitive general election, which in the past four years was only won by less than 1500 votes," Workman said. "This election I won by over 10,000 votes, so it’s a great victory.”
They often measure success based on what happened inside the statehouse.
“We passed a lot of bills, and I co-sponsored probably over 100 bills just in 2024,” Cirino said.
Gearing up for 2025 for legislators means being responsible for some big stuff.
“Really looking forward to the next general assembly of leading very effectively the finance committee,” Cirino said. “We have a big operating budget this year.”
Political goals is an important part of the lawmaking equation.
“The first priority would be related to property tax reform,” Workman said.
Health is another goal many lawmakers add to their list.
“Probably like everybody at this time of year, I want to stay fit and healthy,” Cirino said.
For some lawmakers stakes are high.
“To make sure that I can stay in shape,” LaRose said. “I’m still a reservist in the army, so I’ve got to pass that fitness test every few months.”
One thing is certain, the new year of 2025 is here.
“It’s important that we put America first, Ohio first, and our communities first,” Workman said, “the people we are elected to serve.”
