Ron Amstutz
Encyclopedia
Ron Amstutz is a Republican member of the Ohio House of Representatives
, representing the 3rd District since 2009. Prior to his current time in the House, he served in the Ohio Senate
, representing the 22nd District from 2001 to 2008, and an early stint in the same House seat from 1981 to 2000. He serves as the Chairman of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee.
, Representative Amstutz was raised on a dairy farm between Dalton
and Kidron
. In 1971, he moved to Orrville
and has lived in Wooster
since 1981. He served on the Orrville City Charter Commission in 1974 and 1975. His political career began in 1976 when he was elected Mayor of the City of Orrville. He held the position through 1980, when he ran successfully for the Ohio House of Representatives
. Prior to his career in public service, Representative Amstutz worked for five years in the Orrville office of The Daily Record. Amstutz is a graduate of Central Christian High School and holds his bachelor’s degree in government communications from Capital University
.
Over the years, Amstutz has been involved with the Ohio Township Association, the Rotary Club, the Orrville Boys and Girls Club, American Legislative Exchange Council, the Ohio Farm Bureau, the Orrvile Jaycees, United Conservatives of Ohio, Wayne County Mayor's Association, the Wooster Grace Brethren Church, as well as many others. He was on the executive committee of the Wayne County Republican Party from 1980 to 2000.
Amstutz won his first term in the Ohio House of Representatives in 1980, replacing five term representative John Johnson. The original district was composed of all of Wayne County, and portions of Stark County
and Holmes County
.
Term limits went into effect in Ohio in 1992, allowing legislators from that point on to only serve eight consecutive years in one chamber. With the completion of his tenth term in 2000, Amstutz was ineligible to run again in the House. However, Senator Grace L. Drake
of the 22nd District of the Ohio Senate was also facing term limits. Amstutz ran for her seat, and won. He was sworn in as a State Senator on January 3, 2001. In the Ohio Senate, Amstutz served as on various committees. He served as Chairman of Senate Ways and Means from 2003 to 2008. In 2004, Amstutz ran for reelection, and won easily.
, was planning to vacate. However, he soon after decided he would return to the Ohio House of Representatives. He faced primary opposition from Charlie Hardmen, but won the election with 64% of the vote. He went on to win the general election handily. Amstutz was chosen to be Ranking Member of the House Finance and Financial Institutions Committee for the 128th General Assembly. He again served as a conference committee member for the biennium budget. He greatly opposed the use of slot machines and VLT's to help balance the budget, and was very vocal about his opinions throughout the budget process.
With Republicans regaining control of the House for the 129th General Assembly, Amstutz serves as Chairman of the Finance and Appropriations Committee. As well as being a de-facto member of all Finance Subcommittees, Amstutz also sits on the Public Utilities Committee; the Ways and Means Committee; the Ohio Legislative Service Commission; the Local Government Innovation Council; and the Controlling Board.
Ohio House of Representatives
The Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio; the other house of the bicameral legislature being the Ohio Senate....
, representing the 3rd District since 2009. Prior to his current time in the House, he served in the Ohio Senate
Ohio Senate
The Ohio State Senate is the upper house of the Ohio General Assembly, the legislative body for the U.S. state of Ohio. There are 33 State Senators. The state legislature meets in the state capital, Columbus. The President of the Senate presides over the body when in session, and is currently Tom...
, representing the 22nd District from 2001 to 2008, and an early stint in the same House seat from 1981 to 2000. He serves as the Chairman of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee.
Career
A lifelong resident of Wayne CountyWayne County, Ohio
Wayne County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States, and is named for General "Mad" Anthony Wayne. As of the 2010 census, the population was 114,520. Its county seat is Wooster....
, Representative Amstutz was raised on a dairy farm between Dalton
Dalton, Ohio
Dalton is a village in Wayne County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,605 at the 2000 census. Dalton is served by a branch of the Wayne County Public Library.-Geography:Dalton is located at ....
and Kidron
Kidron, Ohio
Kidron is an unincorporated community in southwestern Sugar Creek Township, Wayne County, Ohio, United States.It is home to an outdoor flea market held Thursdays and Saturdays, weather permitting, and, since 1929, a retail store called Kidron Town and Country, which includes a grocery store,...
. In 1971, he moved to Orrville
Orrville, Ohio
Orrville is a city in Wayne County, Ohio, United States. The population was 8,551 at the 2000 census.The J.M. Smucker Co., owner of the Smucker's brand, is headquartered in Orrville.-Geography:Orrville is located at ....
and has lived in Wooster
Wooster, Ohio
Wooster is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Wayne County. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio approximately SSW of Cleveland and SW of Akron. Wooster is noted as the location of The College of Wooster...
since 1981. He served on the Orrville City Charter Commission in 1974 and 1975. His political career began in 1976 when he was elected Mayor of the City of Orrville. He held the position through 1980, when he ran successfully for the Ohio House of Representatives
Ohio House of Representatives
The Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio; the other house of the bicameral legislature being the Ohio Senate....
. Prior to his career in public service, Representative Amstutz worked for five years in the Orrville office of The Daily Record. Amstutz is a graduate of Central Christian High School and holds his bachelor’s degree in government communications from Capital University
Capital University
Capital University is a private liberal arts university of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located in Bexley, Ohio, founded in 1830. In addition to its rigorous liberal arts program, the university also offers a reputable adult degree program in Columbus, Ohio. It is one of the oldest...
.
Over the years, Amstutz has been involved with the Ohio Township Association, the Rotary Club, the Orrville Boys and Girls Club, American Legislative Exchange Council, the Ohio Farm Bureau, the Orrvile Jaycees, United Conservatives of Ohio, Wayne County Mayor's Association, the Wooster Grace Brethren Church, as well as many others. He was on the executive committee of the Wayne County Republican Party from 1980 to 2000.
Amstutz won his first term in the Ohio House of Representatives in 1980, replacing five term representative John Johnson. The original district was composed of all of Wayne County, and portions of Stark County
Stark County, Ohio
Stark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2010 census, the population was 375,586. It is included in the Canton-Massillon, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area....
and Holmes County
Holmes County, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 38,943 people, 11,337 households, and 9,194 families residing in the county. The population density was 92 people per square mile . There were 12,280 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile...
.
Term limits went into effect in Ohio in 1992, allowing legislators from that point on to only serve eight consecutive years in one chamber. With the completion of his tenth term in 2000, Amstutz was ineligible to run again in the House. However, Senator Grace L. Drake
Grace L. Drake
Grace Drake was a member of the Ohio Senate, serving the 22nd district from 1984 to 2000. Her district encompassed the eastern/southern portion of Cuyahoga County and all of Medina and Wayne counties. In 2000, she faced term limits, and was succeeded by Ron Amstutz.-External links:**...
of the 22nd District of the Ohio Senate was also facing term limits. Amstutz ran for her seat, and won. He was sworn in as a State Senator on January 3, 2001. In the Ohio Senate, Amstutz served as on various committees. He served as Chairman of Senate Ways and Means from 2003 to 2008. In 2004, Amstutz ran for reelection, and won easily.
Return to the Ohio House of Representatives
Amstutz initially discussed running for Congress, in the 16th Congressional District, which incumbent of 18 terms, Ralph RegulaRalph Regula
Ralph Straus Regula was a Representative in the United States Congress from the 16th District of the State of Ohio. He retired in January 2009 after 18 consecutive terms. He is a member of the Republican Party. In the 110th Congress , he was the second longest serving Republican member of the U.S...
, was planning to vacate. However, he soon after decided he would return to the Ohio House of Representatives. He faced primary opposition from Charlie Hardmen, but won the election with 64% of the vote. He went on to win the general election handily. Amstutz was chosen to be Ranking Member of the House Finance and Financial Institutions Committee for the 128th General Assembly. He again served as a conference committee member for the biennium budget. He greatly opposed the use of slot machines and VLT's to help balance the budget, and was very vocal about his opinions throughout the budget process.
With Republicans regaining control of the House for the 129th General Assembly, Amstutz serves as Chairman of the Finance and Appropriations Committee. As well as being a de-facto member of all Finance Subcommittees, Amstutz also sits on the Public Utilities Committee; the Ways and Means Committee; the Ohio Legislative Service Commission; the Local Government Innovation Council; and the Controlling Board.