Rep. Antonio Again To Serve As Top Democrat On House Health Committee
State Representative Nickie J. Antonio
As your State Representative, it is an honor to serve house District 13, consider the many views and interests of our diverse and vibrant community and bring your voice to the Statehouse in Columbus. We know that the laws made in Columbus have a direct impact on our lives in Lakewood. To help make the lawmaking process more efficient and thorough, pieces of legislation, once introduced and then assigned to issue-specific committees, are vetted through committee hearings where testimony and expert opinion on each bill are presented.
For the 132nd General Assembly, I have been chosen to serve on the following five committees:
- House Finance Committee: The Finance Committee hears bills related to the state’s finances, including the two-year state operating budget. Committee hearings for the state budget have already begun, and will end with the adoption of the budget by June 30, 2017.
- House Finance Subcommittee on Higher Education: This committee is a smaller group within the larger Finance Committee that will look at how our state funds public institutions of higher education.
- House Health Committee: I am honored to be selected as the highest ranking Democrat on this committee, which reviews legislation related to health and healthcare policy.
- Rules and Reference: Comprised of the House’s leadership team, this committee assigns bills to a committee.
- Joint Legislative Ethics Committee: The Joint Legislative Ethics Committee (JLEC) is the bipartisan ethics body that advises Ohio’s legislative branch of government on matters concerning ethics, conflicts of interest, and financial disclosure
It is an honor to continue to provide policy leadership in the Ohio House and I look forward to working with my fellow colleagues to serve the 11 million Ohioans that count on us. As we turn our focus to the state budget over the next few months, I will urge my colleagues to prioritize spending that creates jobs to ensure a strong economy, quality public education, while protecting the health and well-being of all Ohioans.
Nickie Antonio
State Representative Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) is honored to be serving her third term in the Ohio House of Representatives, where she was elected by her collegaues as Minority Whip for the 131st General Assembly. House District 13 includes the city of Lakewood in its entirety and parts of Cleveland’s West Side including the Detroit Shoreway (Gordon Square Arts District), the Stockyards, West Boulevard, Cuddell, the Village of Linndale, and a section of Ohio City neighborhoods. Representative Antonio is a civic minded public servant who is concerned with the quality of life of those around her and has been a social justice advocate working for human rights and equality for all people for more than two decades. Antonio began her public policy service when she was elected to Lakewood City Council in 2005 and was re-elected in 2009. During her tenure on Lakewood City Council she chaired the Economic Development, Housing, and Human Services committees and served on the Public Works and Finance Committees and was the council representative for the Lakewood Hospital Board and Community Relations Boards. She brought successful strategies for economic development through proactive policies such as the first ever sidewalk dining legislation, the results of which can be seen today in the vibrant outdoor dining scene throughout the city. Ever concerned about environmental policy and practice, Antonio also shepherded through legislation to reduce toxic emissions through a reduced idling ordinance. Antonio also exercised leadership by developing opportunities for diversity appreciation and understanding and civic engagement through the Lakewood Community Relations Advisory Commission of which she was a founder and promoted citizen human rights by expanding protections in the existing municipal intimidation laws. She also championed the push to retain funding for senior programs and services. Antonio is an alumni of the Harvard Kennedy School Senior and Executive Leadership program for State and Local governments. The first in her family to graduate from college, Antonio holds a Master of Public Administration Degree from the Maxine Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, also from CSU. She is a graduate of Lutheran West High School located in Rocky River, Ohio. A former Special Education teacher and non-profit Executive Director for a women’s outpatient drug/alcohol treatment program, she also served for nearly two decades as a consultant to non-profits and governmental agencies throughout Northeast Ohio and served as administrator for a multi-County HIV/AIDS regional planning group. During this same period she was an Adjunct Professor at CSU teaching courses in Women’s Studies and Public Administration policies and practice. She continues her civic involvement through membership in numerous community groups and serves in an advisory capacity for Spaces Art Gallery and on the board of the non-profit Cleveland Tenants Organization. Antonio currently serves as Ranking Member of the Health and Aging Committee. She also serves on the Finance and Appropriations Committee, Finance Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee, and the Joint Legislative Committee for Unified Long-Term Servics and Supports. Rep. Antonio is a member of the Ohio House Democratic Women's Caucus. Because of her social justice advocacy and activity, Antonio is known as a collaborative community builder and organizer. She is an enthusiastic proponent of the arts and civic engagement as some of the best tools available to develop local and statewide viability and economic success. She is also a certified coach and advocates the benefits to the world when people are valued and encouraged to rise to their highest potential and purpose. Daughters Ariel and Stacey, both Lakewood High School graduates, have made Rep. Antonio and wife Jean Kosmac very proud as the girls engage in their post-secondary pursuits.