Ohio's Bios- Insights from State Rep. David Thomas
Conversations with Ohio Government leaders, public servants, and perspectives from those who lead Ohio hosted by State Rep. District 65 David Thomas. As you head to work, hear from those who work for you with stories of policy successes, opportunities, and the motivations behind the service to you. Learn more about David Thomas at www.davidthomasforohio.com. Questions, ideas, or want to learn more? Email david@davidthomasforohio.com.
Episodes
21 episodes
S2:E7 The Bills Are Getting Passed- Senior Sportsmen Fairness and Property Taxes
In this episode I give an update on my two final committees which have met- Public Insurance and Pensions & Arts, Athletics, and Tourism Committees. I also discuss the bills I have introduced including legislation on Property Tax Abatements...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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15:07
S2:E6 The Testimony Gets Underway
In this Episode of Ohio's Bios I give a brief update of my testimony before the Legislative Committees on bills such as HB 21 and HB 43 already before the Ways & Means and Education Committees. I also go into the upcoming bills I will be in...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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15:26
S2: E5 The Beginnings of Legislative Committees
The Ohio House has been busy getting our organizational structure up and running and hitting the ground running for this General Assembly. In this Episode I dive into my Committee assignments, the areas of policy those assignments will be touch...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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18:22
S2:E4 Opening Day & First Week as a Legislator
Opening Day for the 136th Ohio General Assembly was many things but in a word- special. In this episode I walk you through opening day from my perspective and the work in a first week that occurs as a new Legislator.
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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12:48
S2:E3 Property Tax Review & Reform Study Committee
With the start of the new year begins a new General Assembly, I am beyond excited to get to work in Ohio's 136th General Assembly starting January 6th. In this episode I review some of my thoughts on the prior General Assembly's Property Tax Re...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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21:20
S2:E2 Lame Duck will always be with us
In Episode 2 of our returned podcast I discuss what I have been doing in Columbus since the November 2024 election, the Speaker election, why Lame Duck will always be with us and some of the outcomes from this most recent session, along with th...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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14:22
The Podcast is back! With a new focus and role.
Join Ashtabula County Auditor and incoming State Representative for Ohio's 65th District David Thomas as he welcomes listeners back to the Ohio's Bios Podcast while cooking up a little lunch. The podcast will be coming back regular...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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5:26
E:14 Brian Walsh and the Plan to Make the Washington DC Air Travel Market More Competitive
Brian Walsh is a former Washington DC Hill Staffer and current spokesman for the Capital Access Alliance (CAA). We spoke about the group's goal for the FAA Reauthorization Bill to make air travel...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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18:36
E:13 Veterans Service Commission- Ben Schwartfigure Director for Ashtabula County
In this episode I speak with Ben Schwartfigure, the Ashtabula County Veterans Service Commission Director, about the services provided to our community's veterans. From health benefits to housing assistance and work with federal and state...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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26:58
E:12 US Mexican Border Visit- Immigration, Border Security, and a Growing Crisis
This episode is different from others run in Ohio's Bios. For Episode 12 I share about a unique opportunity I had to visit the US Mexican Border in McAllen, Texas to view firsthand the Border Crisis at the southern border, learn how it impacts ...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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28:03
E11: Doug Starkey, Ashtabula County Environmental Services Director
Doug Starkey has served as Director of the Ashtabula County Environmental Services for 3 years in addition to his wealth of local government experiences as Fire Chief and City Manager in the City of Geneva. We discuss his perspective of the cha...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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28:29
E10: The Bio of a Landsale
Ohio's Auditors are responsible for vacant and forfeited land auctions. Many residents are unaware of the process of foreclosure and how land becomes available for use after it has been forfeited to the state.
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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11:31
E9: Asheesh Agarwal, Advisor to the American Edge Project and Former Federal Trade Commission & Department of Justice Staff Member
Asheesh Agarwal is a former assistant director for the Office of Policy Planning at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), staff member at the Department of Justice, and is currently an advisor to the American Edge Project, a coalition of ne...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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31:14
E:8 Alex Iarocci, Executive Director of the Ashtabula County Land Bank
Alex Iarocci is the Executive Director of the Ashtabula County Landbank, a quasi government non-profit organization housed in the Ashtabula County Treasurer's Office focused on revitalizing abandoned and dilapidated properties. We discuss the e...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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30:48
E:7 So my taxes are how much? The Auditor's Role in Property Taxes and Values
In this Episode, Ashtabula County Auditor David Thomas breaks down the role of County Auditors in property values and taxes for Ohio's residents. Learn the process for valuing properties, how tax rates are determined, and the basis of your tax ...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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23:46
E:6 Deb Friedstrom, Plymouth Township Trustee- Fire and Road Departments, Life of a Trustee, Grassroots Leadershp
Deb Friedstrom is the Township Trustee for Plymouth Township in Ashtabula County and serves as the Township Association President. We discuss her 14 years as a Township Trustee with lessons of cooperation and communication in addition to strugg...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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34:17
E:5 The Duty of Weights & Measures- Local Government Role in Consumer Protection
Episode 5: March 1st-7th is National Weights & Measures Week. The Auditor's Office is Ohio is responsible for certifying the weight of commercial scales and devices ranging from gas pumps to deli scales, highway truck scales to...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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13:12
E:4 Geneva City Council President Mario Butera- Paving, Public Relations, and Money Priorities
Episode 4: Mario Butera is the Geneva City Council President and serves as a music teacher in the community as well. In this episode, we discuss the competing financial interests of a small town, the role a council takes in the governi...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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33:13
E:3 The Bio of an Ohio Auditor's Office- Roles, Responsibilities, and Duties
In the 3rd episode of Ohio's Bios, you get an introduction into the many jobs an Ohio Auditor's Office performs to serve other governments and tax payers. Chief Assessor, Fiscal Officer, Sealer of Weights & Measures, Licensor, and Head of I...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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26:40
E:2 Geneva on the Lake Village Administrator Jeremy Shaffer- Tourism, Lake Erie Erosion, Leadership
Jeremy Shaffer is the Village Administrator for Geneva on the Lake, Ohio. In this episode he discusses the qualities needed in good local government leaders, challenges specific to Geneva on the Lake such as lake front erosion and the seasonali...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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28:23
E:1 Podcast Launch for Ohio's Bios- Insights from Ohio Local Governments
Ashtabula County Auditor David Thomas launches his podcast, Ohio's Bios- Insights from Ohio's Local Governments. This podcast will help shed light on the people behind local government as we learn about the services they provide, challenges and...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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4:21