The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) is asking the Sunset Review Committee to eliminate four of its committees.
The committees, which reviewed the state’s academic standards for English language arts, math, science and social studies, completed their work in 2016. As a result, they are no longer needed.
“These entities have done valuable work, fulfilled their statutory missions and are no longer meeting,” Paolo DiMaria, superintendent of public instruction, said in a letter.
So far, they are the only committees the Review Committee has been asked to eliminate.
In contrast, the Ohio Department of Agriculture is asking for re-authorization of a committee that hasn’t met for eight years. The Agricultural Commodity Marketing Programs Coordinating Committee is responsible for coordinating all the marketing programs that promote the sale of specific agricultural commodities produced in the state.
The department plans to use the committee to help develop new marketing strategies for several children’s initiatives, George McNab, the ODA Legislative Liaison, said in prepared remarks.
The ODA hired a deputy director to work with schools, non-profits and businesses on the nutritional programs for children and on agricultural education for elementary and preschool children, he explained.
The Sunset Review Committee meets in odd-numbered General Assemblies to review the “usefulness, performance, and effectiveness” of specific agencies in state government. It also looks for redundancy or overlap, along with cost-effectiveness. It is made up of three members from the Senate, three from the House, and three of the Governor’s appointees.
State Representative Nino Vitale, (R-Urbana), chairs the Committee.
“It has always been my goal to shrink government and make it as lean as possible,” Rep. Vitale said. “I look forward to ensuring government is operating in as efficient-a-means as possible and potentially recommending some department and committees be defunded or ended if they are not serving the people well.”
The Legislative Service Commission, which creates the list of agencies due for review, identified 180 for this year, Daniel DiSantis, a research associate in the LSC’s Office of Research and Drafting, said. They are trying to hold hearings each week, he added. So far, 29 agencies have made presentations.
After all the hearings are completed, the Review Committee will publish a report of the results. The report will include a draft bill repealing or amending the agencies. The bill will then go to the Ohio House and Senate for a vote
In 2016, 53 agencies were eliminated based upon the work of the Sunset Review Committee.
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Maggie Leigh is a writer for The Ohio Star. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Paolo DiMaria” by Paulo DiMaria.
