City officials talk budget with legislators

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- City officials discussed budget and funding with legislator representatives Tuesday morning.

The legislative forum was organized by city administrators and the Muskingum County Commissioners. Housing programs, public transit and healthcare were among the many topics that were addressed.

“It was just to get legislators, or their representatives, in town. We’ve heard a lot about what’s happening with the state budgets and federal budgets and we just wanted to give them kind of an update on what we’re doing with that money and how, if it’s cut in the future, it will affect our community,” said Zanesville City Major Jeff Tilton.

State Representative for the 97th House District, and Zanesville native, Brian Hill said that the majority of the dollars that come through the state budget end up in local government; making it important to keep strong communication.

“I think it’s important that we always stay in touch with our constituents,” said Hill. “I go to Columbus every week and we have hearings up there where they have the ability to come up and testify, but when we can come here locally, in the setting like we had today, I think it’s always important for me to learn whats most important to our local communities.”

Hill is in his third term as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. The 97th District includes Guernsey County and most of Muskingum County.

Also in attendance were representatives from the offices of State Senator Troy Balderson, Congressman Pat Tiberi, Congressman Bill Johnson, Senator Rob Portman, Senator Sherrod Brown and Ohio Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor.