Statehouse staffers to work from home; sessions, committees pushed back

By: Susan Tebben - March 13, 2020 12:59 pm

A photo of the Ohio Statehouse from Wikimedia Commons.

The effects of COVID-19 have reached the Ohio Statehouse.

Staff members of the Ohio General Assembly are being asked by leaders to work from home.

The Ohio House of Representatives will not be holding voting sessions or committee hearings in the foreseeable future, Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, wrote in a Friday memo.

The Ohio Senate is also implementing a “remote, telework policy” through April 6, according to a similar memo sent out Friday by John Barron, the Senate chief of staff.

While no Senate committee hearings are scheduled for at least the next week, Barron noted that upcoming sessions in late March are still on for the time being.

Staffers of both chambers are asked to work hard and log time sheets at home just as they would at the Statehouse.

“Office staff should continue providing essential constituent services during normal office hours by remotely responding to constituent phone calls and emails, as well as providing legislative and communications support for your members as needed,” the Senate memo stated.

Tyler Buchanan contributed to this report.

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Susan Tebben

Susan Tebben is an award-winning journalist with a decade of experience covering Ohio news, including courts and crime, Appalachian social issues, government, education, diversity and culture. She has worked for The Newark Advocate, The Glasgow (KY) Daily Times, The Athens Messenger, and WOUB Public Media. She has also had work featured on National Public Radio.