EATON — State Representative Rodney Creech visited the Preble County Commissioners during their Monday, March 13, meeting, to give a voluntary quarterly update.
“First time here since the 4oth District, as you all know the districts changed and they’ll be changing again soon,” Creech began.
“The 40th District is all of Preble County, northern Butler County and northern Montgomery County. I’ve been working in the new district now — officially it took place January one — but I had been working in the new parts of my district for about a year before that,” Creech said.
“Two years ago, I was standing here before you and just didn’t have a clue what I was doing. Just didn’t. But like with any new job, you just start, you see what happens, go with the flow, listen and learn. But I can tell you this General Assembly has been a lot different starting out. I can feel the comradery. Of course, we do have some issues with the speaker race and this, that and the other, but it’s just different. You understand the relationships are there, understanding legislation and how legislation works.”
Creech expressed that when it comes to constituent services and policy, he will choose “constituent services every day,” as he wants all constituents to know he and his office are accessible to the public.
“We have enough legislation in this state, I’m always going to put the people first,” Creech remarked.
Creech went on to elaborate on his support, or opposition to various House bills. According to Creech, he was opposed to a recent transportation bill due to “forced accounts.” Creech added, he represents township government and county government. “I know where I came from. I’m not going to let anyone push me around up there. If we’re not going to take care of our local governments, then I’m not going to support it.”
Creech noted, the operating budget is coming up for review soon, and said. unless spending can be cut, he will vote against it.
“It’s up roughly $44 billion over the last GA (General Assembly) and we’ve got to do some cuts. It’s just amazing to see the spending that’s occurring. We have a 67 supermajority of Republicans, and we’re spending like crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy. I mean the things that are in this budget are insane, and things we all stand against as Republicans. Unless something changes, I probably won’t be a ‘yes’ vote on that,”
“Some of the things that are in there — paying for kids’ college. Listen, if you want to go to college, there’s strings tied to it, it’s called debt, it’s called life. If you want to take that risk and go to college, then you have to pay your debt off. If you don’t think you can pay your debt off and go to college, go into skilled trades. We need that worse than we need college students,” Creech said.
Creech also advocated for House Bill 14, a bill regarding custody rights and single parenting.
“That’s probably the one that means the most to me, the single parenting bill. We had our first sponsor testimony last week; we dropped it about three weeks ago. That’s going to be a fun bill to watch — a very, very, very controversial bill.”
Creech noted House Bill 14 is a heavily sponsored bill and has already begun revision with the Senate.
Creech informed commissioners he was recently appointed the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and is honored to serve as such. “To go up and represent your district is one thing. But to represent the number one industry in the state means the most to me,” Creech commented.
According to Creech, he has had the honor of visiting and spending time with constituents across District 40 for five months during a “lame duck” period in the house of representatives, ranging from Eaton to Huber Heights. Creech expressed his pleasure in meeting new people across his district.
“Setting him up to run for Governor, that’s what it is,” remarked Commissioner Adam Craft.
“Hey, you just never know,” Creech concluded.
Reach Nathan Hoskins at 937-683-4057.
