At a press conference this week, Ohio House of Representatives Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) and Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) announced the installation of cameras in four additional House hearing rooms, signaling the completion of a major project to offer live coverage of all House committee meetings for the first time.
Prior to this year, only one hearing room had cameras.
The installation of cameras and livestreaming of committee hearings is one of several reforms Householder led after becoming Speaker in January. He said other changes include reforming House rules to make the legislative process more open and collaborative, and improving human resources operations.
“Government transparency should never be a partisan issue, and House Democrats have pushed for cameras in committee rooms for many years,” Sykes said. “Taxpayers have a right to know what is happening in their Statehouses and allowing a live look into the legislative process is key for ethical governing.”
Householder said the benefits of live camera access to state government are significant. “It allows people firsthand access to state government who would not be able to be here in person,” he said. “It allows Ohioans to see and hear their legislators working on their behalf.”
To view committee livestreams and access archived videos, visit The Ohio Channel website at http://www.ohiochannel.org/.