 Johnathan Newman
State Representative
House District 80
April Report
In the month of April, my office received hundreds of requests from constituents to help with their concerns. To help address the recent spike in electric bills, my office set up a meeting with the Public Utility Commission of Ohio where constituents were given immediate assistance and guidance on their electric bill and how to potentially reduce them. If you are experiencing this in our district and need help, please don't hesitate to reach out to our office. I also had the opportunity to meet with cancer survivors from my district (pictured below) who were visiting their legislators at the Capitol in Columbus.
Town Hall Event
I had another successful town hall event on April 21st at the Veterans Museum. Dozens of Miami County citizens were there to hear legislative updates and ask questions.
My next town hall event will be May 31st at 9:00 am at the Arcanum Opera House, 102 W South St, Arcanum. Join us for a cup of coffee and donuts to hear what I've been up to in Columbus and see the progress of the renovations to this historic site.
Legislation
Annexation reform – My bill on annexation reform is hugely important for Miami County. H.B. 113 had its first committee hearing in Local Government Committee on April 30th. Eleven county officials, township trustees, and family farm owners gave outstanding testimony stating why this reform is needed.
If there was an award for the 'Capitol Square Quote of the Month', it would go to Bethel Township resident, Jeff Morford, who said during his committee testimony, “No annexation without representation!”
 Energy reform – The Ohio House and Senate have passed a helpful energy reform bill, H.B.15. This legislation will create an environment where new energy will be generated which is needed to help with supply and demand issues. The bill repeals subsidies for power plants paid by the consumer, improves the permitting process for new generation, requires more accountability for cost increases, and much more!
The Given Name Act – Representative Josh Williams and I gave testimony on The Given Name Act, H.B.190, in Education Committee on April 29th. This is an important bill to help protect parents’ rights when they don’t approve of their child being addressed by public school employees by transgender names and pronouns.
 MAHA Caucus – The Ohio House now has its own MAHA Caucus – Make America Healthy Again! Twenty of my colleagues and I have joined this caucus to help make sure Ohioans are protected against food ingredients and vaccinations known to endanger our health.
Protecting religious freedom – Representative Gary Click and I have introduced a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to repeal The Johnson Amendment (H.C.R. 9). Churches have been threatened with the loss of their tax exemption status if they speak out on important issues from a biblical worldview. This is clearly not the vision of the Founding Fathers as is documented in the language of this resolution.
Groundbreaking for Troy Schools
I was honored to attend a recent groundbreaking event at Troy City Schools, marking a huge milestone for the district as they begin to build three new school buildings. Superintendent Piper and the Troy School Board have done a great job leading students and faculty, and I have no doubt they will continue to as they proceed with this expansion. I have every confidence they have what it takes to get it done well.
First Responders Awards Event
On April 1st, the First Responders Awards Event was held at the Arbogast Performing Arts Center in Troy. The purpose of this event was to say thank you and help honor those who serve our community and families. I gave several commendations to retiring first responders. Dozens of stories were told of incredible acts of courage by these exceptional men and women that make all of us proud to live in such a great community. Thank you to the men and women in uniform! Our prayers are always with you.
National Day of Prayer
On May 1st, hundreds of thousands of Americans joined together for prayer calling upon the Lord our God to bless our country and turn our path back to truth and righteousness. The National Day of Prayer started in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress signed by President Truman. It's held on the first Thursday of May inviting citizens across the country to pray to the God of heaven.
2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
The next National day of Prayer is May 7, 2026. Put it on your calendar and come pray with us.
 *Pictured above, Rep. Newman at First United Methodist Church in Greenville, Ohio
The People’s Office
I continuously add decor from local schools, businesses, and organizations to the District 80. I recently had a great meeting with the leadership team at the Darke Rural Elect Cooperative to hear the legislative priorities they think will help better serve our community.
Summer Intern - Parker Nichols
District 80 is excited to announce that Parker Nichols is our Summer Intern! Parker is a graduate of Troy High School and is finishing up his freshman year at Davidson University where he is majoring in political science and is on a football scholarship. He will join me as an intern mid-May through mid-July looking to gain experience that will help shape his future in possible political endeavors. If you see him out and about serving our constituents, please give him a high five and tell him how proud we all are of him.
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