Rep. Miller seeks info via electronic survey

One of the local state representatives is seeking input from area residents to prepare for the next legislative session in Columbus.

State Rep. Joe Miller, DAmherst, is asking people to respond to an online survey about the issues that lawmakers should take up in the 134th Ohio General Assembly. The House of Representatives will not meet again for substantive actions until February.

Miller published the survey via his electronic newsletter of Jan. 14. It asks respondents what issues they care about most, how they would describe their political views and if they would share an email address.

The survey also will help prepare for future online town hall-style meetings with constituents, Miller said.

Public gatherings are limited now due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. But Miller said he hopes to resume in-person meetings with residents soon.

“As soon as COVID gets under control and we are safe to be able to get together, my goal is to get those town halls going again and meeting and talking to the constituents and making myself readily available again,” Miller said.

His 56th House District sits within Lorain County. It includes Lorain, Amherst, Oberlin, Sheffield Lake, South Amherst, Kipton, the Lorain County side of Vermilion, and Brownhelm, Henrietta, New Russia, Camden, Pittsfield and Brighton Townships.

But the survey is open to any Ohioan, Miller said. He noted he and other state legislators make decisions that affect all Ohioans.

“Anybody can fill it out,” Miller said. A Democrat, Miller said he would share the main concerns with fellow lawmakers, Democrats and Republicans.

“We have to work together,” he said. “If a democratic republic is going to work, we have to work together.”

The survey does not include a reference to COVID-19. By the time the Ohio House of Representatives meets again, Miller said he hopes the only legislation needed for COVID-19 is adjustments to budgets for appropriate departments to dispense the vaccines quickly.

Miller added he contracted COVID-19 but will get the vaccine when it becomes available to ensure he has antibodies against the disease. It is highly contagious and exposure is a matter of when, not if, he said.

OHIO HOUSE OF REPRESENATIVES Rep. Joe Miller, D-Amherst, speaks to Firelands High School FFA students in the House chamber in a pre-COVID gathering. Miller is starting the year asking local residents to complete an online survey to share their views about topics Ohio lawmakers should address in 2021.

OFFICE OF OHIO REP. JOE MILLER Rep. Joe Miller was sworn in by Ohio Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner, with Rep. Mike O’Brien holding the Bible, on Jan. 4. Miller is starting the year asking local residents to complete an online survey to share their views about topics Ohio lawmakers should address in 2021.