By Deba Uwadiae

I am excited to start this weekly column, ”From the Ohio Statehouse”,  this day, Monday, March 25, 2019 on happenings and events at the Ohio Statehouse. It is not because I am a journalist but because I want to be held accountable for my work at the state capitol. The huge audience of the New Americans magazine deservedly expects much from me. At this time, I am not just a reporter; I am a “representative” as well – the eyes, ears and voices!

That was why the email sent to me by the President of the Ohio Statehouse Legislative Correspondents Association, Jim Provance announcing the approval of my application as an associate member of OLCA was of great significance to me, the two years’ old New Americans magazine and the community.

“I officially started my coverage from the House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 20, 2019. One of the distinguishable aspects of being an accredited journalist is enjoying “privilege position/seat” at high places.”

“Created by the Ohio General Assembly in 1893 to accredit Statehouse reporters, the Ohio Legislative Correspondents Association (OLCA) spans the era from hand-set type and fountain pens, to VDTs and full-page pagination, to laptops, smart phones and Twitter feeds. OLCA members are professional journalists whose primary duties involve news coverage of the Legislature, state agencies and officials and politics.

More than 40 OLCA members represent newspapers from around Ohio, as well as the Associated Press, daily information and photo services, radio stations and broadcast and cable television stations. OLCA functions independently to ensure only legitimate reporters are granted floor privileges in the House of Representatives and Senate. OLCA also acts as a watchdog to preserve the rights of the public and press to access government records and meetings.”

I officially started my coverage from the House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 20, 2019. One of the distinguishable aspects of being an accredited journalist is enjoying “privilege position/seat” at high places. I was able to see everyone from the vantage position including the familiar members like Rep. Bernadine Kennedy Kent (District 25) and Rep. David Leland (District 22).

As the House broke for a recess, House Speaker Larry Householder met with the press crew for the regular questions and answers. I formally introduced myself to the Speaker after the media chat.

“I assumed you just joined when I saw you,” he said.

“Promoting Health Insurance Transparency: Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Senator Matt Huffman (R-Lima), allows small businesses to access certain claims information when shopping for health insurance plans, enhancing their ability to determine the most cost effective way to provide quality health benefits for their employees.”

The Senate has a voting session on Thursday, March 21. The House had the privilege of having children from some schools on a visit to the capitol lead the pledge of allegiance.

Though the State Senate has 33 members, 31 senators that were present voted in a bi-partisan move on the Health Insurance bill that was considered for the day’s session: “Promoting Health Insurance Transparency: Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Senator Matt Huffman (R-Lima), allows small businesses to access certain claims information when shopping for health insurance plans, enhancing their ability to determine the most cost effective way to provide quality health benefits for their employees.”

During the Senate recess, the Press Secretary and Senior Communications Advisor, John Fortney, a former Statehouse correspondent, explained the media schedule for the day.

As I ended the first week at the Ohio State capitol, Senator Hearcel Craig of District 15 sent a message through me: “Tell everyone that you saw me and my greetings.” Not a bad way to end the first week!