Rep. Dovilla's Newsletter: May 2025
At the Statehouse | Around the 17th | Return Your "Legislator for a Day" Bookmarks! | Upcoming Events | Contact Us
Dear Constituents & Friends,
Welcome to our newsletter for May 2025! This month’s issue includes updates on our legislative and oversight work, activities around the 17th House District, a reminder for elementary school students to return their “Legislator for a Day” bookmarks, and an expanded calendar of upcoming local events, including district office hours in North Royalton.
Thanks for sending me to represent you in Columbus. If I may ever be of assistance to you or your family, please feel free to contact our office at (614) 466-4895 or Rep17@ohiohouse.gov.
Best regards,
State Representative Mike Dovilla
At the Statehouse
LEGISLATION
House Bill 142
On May 7, I offered sponsor testimony on H.B. 142, legislation I’ve introduced with Rep. Tex Fischer (R-Boardman). This bill will modernize Ohio’s utility regulatory environment, foster opportunities for additional economic development, and ensure our state maintains and grows natural gas infrastructure at a time when such investments are needed. The measure continues to receive hearings in the House Energy Committee. You can watch my full remarks here.
OVERSIGHT
April 28
I participated in a field hearing with fellow members of the House Veterans and Military Development Committee, which convened at the National Museum of the United States Air Force on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. It was great to hear from local military and civilian leaders about the important work our Joint Force and U.S. Department of Defense civilian employees, in concert with Wright State University and other stakeholders, are doing in the Miami Valley.
Around the 17th
April 24
I enjoyed welcoming legislative colleagues to our district for a roundtable on education with Dee and Jimmy Haslam. We had a great policy discussion on our state's education landscape and how we can continue to prioritize the needs of Ohio's children. While at the Cleveland Browns campus in Berea, we had a chance to tour the facility, including the war room where draft decisions were made that evening.
April 26
I conducted my fourth set of district office hours this winter/spring at the Brecksville branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library (which also serves the residents of Broadview Heights in our district). I was joined by about a dozen constituents for a conversation on property tax reform, public school funding, infrastructure, and other public policy issues.
May 1
I attended the Baldwin Wallace University Ovation Festival, my undergraduate alma mater's annual celebration of student achievement. This year's program featured the work of more than 300 students who presented 150 projects. Congratulations to all of the outstanding Yellow Jackets who participated and special thanks to BW Trustee Susan Zanetti, President-designate Lee Fisher, Interim Provost Dr. Linda Chase, and Dean Jim McCargar for taking time to catch up while I was on campus.
May 10
I returned to Baldwin Wallace University once again to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2025. I enjoyed hearing from President-designate Lee Fisher, who offered the commencement address, and catching up with students, faculty, staff, and members of the BW Board of Trustees.
May 12
I held meetings with representatives of the Center for Community Solutions and Cuyahoga County Public Library. District work days provide an opportunity for me to meet with constituents of our district as well as representatives of a wide variety of community organizations from Greater Cleveland. If you would like to schedule a meeting for yourself or an organization you represent, please contact my office at (614) 466-4895 or Rep17@ohiohouse.gov.
Return Your Legislator for a Day Bookmarks!
Our popular Legislator for a Day reading contest for elementary school students kicked off for its seventh year on April 23. Students have until the end of the day on May 23 to return completed bookmarks to their homeroom teachers or local branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library. Next week, I will be making another round of visits to participating schools and library branches in Berea, Broadview Heights (Brecksville), North Royalton, Olmsted Falls (Olmsted Township), and Strongsville to collect bookmarks. We’ll draw one winner from each location and invite that lucky student and his or her family to join us in Columbus this summer for a half-day program at your historic Ohio Statehouse. Read and return those bookmarks!
Upcoming Events
DISTRICT OFFICE HOURS
Our winter/spring 2025 round of District Office Hours concludes this month as I host my 53rd such opportunity while serving in the Ohio House of Representatives. Office Hours are an opportunity for constituents to meet with me to share their views on public policy issues, pending or potential legislation, and any other matters on which they wish to express their thoughts. No appointment is necessary, and residents will be seen on a first come, first served basis.
May 31 (9:00-11:00 a.m.): North Royalton District Office Hours, North Royalton Library, 5071 Wallings Rd., North Royalton
Stay tuned for information on our fall 2025 set of office hours, which we will announce in a future issue of this newsletter.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
May 24 (1:00-3:00 p.m.): Berea Community Memorial Service, Coe Lake Gazebo, presented by Northern Ohio Veterans Association
May 26 - Memorial Day Ceremonies
Berea - Services at Adams Street Cemetery (8:00 a.m.) and Woodvale Cemetery (9:00 a.m.); 157th Memorial Day Parade (10:00 a.m.), steps off from municipal parking lot behind City Hall
Broadview Heights - Parade & Ceremony (9:00 a.m.), steps off from Assumption Academy, 9183 Broadview Road
North Royalton - Ceremony (9:00 a.m.) at North Royalton Cemetery, 6320 Royalton Road
Olmsted Falls - Parade (9:30 a.m.) steps off from Falls-Lenox School parking lot, 26450 Bagley Road
Strongsville - Parade (11:00 a.m.) steps off from St. Joseph Church, 12700 Pearl Road; Ceremony will follow at Freedom Trail gazebo
June 6 (9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.): Strongsville Shred Day, Strongsville Middle School, 13200 Pearl Road
June 7 (9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.): Habitat for Humanity Tool and Furniture Drive, Strongsville Service Center, 16099 Foltz Parkway
June 12 (5:30-8:00 p.m.): Olmsted Chamber of Commerce Mini Golf Outing, Swings N Things, 8501 Stearns Road
June 15 (3:00-6:00 p.m.): Fathers Day Car Show, Berea Triangle, 40 Front Street
June 28 (5:00-6:00 p.m.): Olmsted Falls Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day, Village Green Park, Columbia Road & Water Street
For more information on any event or to submit an event for inclusion in a future issue of our newsletter, please email me at Rep17@ohiohouse.gov. Thank you!
Contact Us
I am honored to serve you and all residents of the 17th House District. To contact our Statehouse office in Columbus, please call (614) 466-4895 or send an email to Rep17@ohiohouse.gov. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., and our dedicated staff team is currently comprised of:
Jeremy Wald, Legislative Aide
Jeff Tournier, Caucus Aide