Ohio's Bios- Insights from State Rep. David Thomas

S3:E17 Part 2 Columbiana County Republican Women's Club Talk

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 19:00:00 -0400

Listen into this episode as I speak with the Columbiana County Republican Women's Club and discuss our Property Tax Reforms. This is Part 2 where we will hear from the Q&A portion of the discussion. Part 1 from last week dove into the changes we have made.

S3:E16 Part 1 Columbiana County GOP Women's Club

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Listen into this episode as I speak with the Columbiana County Republican Women's Club and discuss our Property Tax Reforms. This is part 1 as part 2 next week will be the Q&A portion of the talk.

S3:E15 Auditor's Conference Panel Discussion

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Listen into this episode as I join the Ohio County Auditor's Association for their annual conference. I spoke alongside Senators Blessing and DeMora on what we see for the future of tax reform, government spending, and the state of Ohio.

S3:E14 Lattes with Legislators- Healthcare, Childcare, Data Centers, Taxes, and more

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Tune in for a special episode of Ohio's Bios as I host State Rep. Kellie Deeter in the 65th District for a morning Lattes with Legislators with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber to answer questions on Healthcare Policy, Taxes, Childcare, Data Centers, Zoning, and much more!

S3:E13 Virtual Townhall with Rep. Santucci

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Listen into the recorded virtual live Townhall hosted by Ohio State Representatives Nick Santucci and David Thomas. This will be the first of many we will have to provide answers and insight into the current events in Columbus impacting Ohioans.

S3:E12 Ottawa County GOP Breakfast Talk

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 15:00:00 -0400

Listen in as I speak to the Ottawa County Republican Party about our Property Tax Reform bills, how they help taxpayers and change local government funding, and what to expect for the future.

S3:E11 Cuyahoga County Fiscal Professionals Tax Townhall

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Join me as I speak with financial leaders in local government in Cuyahoga County on our tax reforms and how they will impact financials.

S3:E10 Cake Mix Cookies and End of the Spring Session Tasty Treats

Sun, 31 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Join my mom and me as we make Cake Batter Cookies and I discuss some of the big things happening before the end of the Spring Session including Data Center Regulations, Medicaid Fraud, Voter ID Constitutional Amendment, and the Capital Budget.

S3:E9 Massillon WestStark Chamber Property Tax Townhall

Wed, 27 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Listen in as I present to a Townhall on Property Tax Reform in Stark County as a guest of Rep. Matt Kishman.

S3:E8 An Auditor and Former Auditor Talk Taxes

Wed, 20 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Listen into this special episode of Ohio's Bios as I joined a roundtable with Warren County Auditor Matt Nolan and Alex Moorman with Pappas & Associates with the County Auditor's Association. We talk the past reforms, future plans for property tax changes, and a lot in between. Hope you enjoy!

S3:E7 Hartsgrove Township Q&A on Property Taxes

Wed, 13 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode I share information to residents of Hartsgrove Township in Ashtabula County and specifically have uploaded to you the Q&A portion of the evening. We discuss school funding, first responders, the changes Ohio made to Property Taxes, and much more.

S3:E6 Warren County Property Tax Reform Press Conference

Wed, 06 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

I joined Rep. Adam Mathews for a Press Conference in Warren County to highlight the Income and Property Tax Reforms Ohio has done and how we will continue to push for needed improvements to the system.

S3:E5 NW Franklin Republican Club Townhall

Sun, 03 May 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Listen into the next episode as I shared what the Legislature has been doing for the taxpayers of Ohio especially in the Property Tax Reform world. I answer questions from members and dive into how our 5 Property Tax Reform bills help lower taxes this year and into the future.

S3:E4 Tasty Treats with the Thomas Family- Sourdough Biscuits and the May 5th Primary

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Join mom and me as we made homemade Sourdough Biscuits and use Ways & Means Chair Bill Roemer's famous Maple Syrup along with discussing Rep. Ty Mathews and my HB 823, other states' inaction on Property Taxes, and the May 5th Primary! This is the audio from a monthly show we do cooking something tasty and discussing important things happening in Ohio.

S3:E3 Portage County Lincoln Day Dinner & Tax Reform Conversation

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Listen in as I gave the keynote address to the Portage County Republican party describing the big wins for tax improvements at the federal level from this past year and at the state level with our income tax cut and sales tax holiday, and then how the state reformed and changed the property tax system at the local level.

S3:E2 Morrow County Township Association Townhall

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 18:00:00 -0400

Season 3 Episode 2 is the audio from a recent Townhall I did in Morrow County where I spoke to their Township Association, took questions, and explained our Property Tax Reform bills in how they would help taxpayers and impact local governments. This is a longer episode, but more in depth and perfect for the afternoon car ride, lunch break, or a Sunday laundry session!

S3:E1 The Podcast is Back, The Making of $3.8 Billion in Property Tax Savings

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:00:00 -0400

I promise, we will have the podcast back and more regular to update you on the work being done in Columbus. Here is Season 3, kicking off with a deep dive on the 5 Property Tax Reform Bills we passed in 2025 and now law. These will save in just 3 years $3.8 Billion and growing. We have changed the mindset for our local governments rely on your property tax revenue and built the foundation for the future reforms needed.

S2:E7 The Bills Are Getting Passed- Senior Sportsmen Fairness and Property Taxes

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 16:00:00 -0500

In this episode I give an update on my two final committees which have met- Public Insurance and Pensions & Arts, Athletics, and Tourism Committees. I also discuss the bills I have introduced including legislation on Property Tax Abatements, Vacated Officeholders, Utility Billing, and much more. It is also budget time and we are reviewing the Governor's proposals.

S2:E6 The Testimony Gets Underway

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 15:00:00 -0500

In this Episode of Ohio's Bios I give a brief update of my testimony before the Legislative Committees on bills such as HB 21 and HB 43 already before the Ways & Means and Education Committees. I also go into the upcoming bills I will be introducing and testimony to be given during the week of February 17th before the Natural Resources Committee and Ways & Means Committee. Finally, I break down what we have been hearing in the Energy Committee and the plans for the large HB 15 work ahead.

S2: E5 The Beginnings of Legislative Committees

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 16:00:00 -0500

The Ohio House has been busy getting our organizational structure up and running and hitting the ground running for this General Assembly. In this Episode I dive into my Committee assignments, the areas of policy those assignments will be touching, and the past two weeks of activity in Columbus!

S2:E4 Opening Day & First Week as a Legislator

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 19:00:00 -0500

Opening Day for the 136th Ohio General Assembly was many things but in a word- special. In this episode I walk you through opening day from my perspective and the work in a first week that occurs as a new Legislator.

S2:E3 Property Tax Review & Reform Study Committee

Sat, 04 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0500

With the start of the new year begins a new General Assembly, I am beyond excited to get to work in Ohio's 136th General Assembly starting January 6th. In this episode I review some of my thoughts on the prior General Assembly's Property Tax Review & Study Committee's report that was just release. This committee did a tremendous job at hearing testimony, ideas, and gathering input from across Ohio on our Property Tax System.

I share some of my views on the good recommendations they have released and plans for what to best tackle to help our tax payers in the coming year!

S2:E2 Lame Duck will always be with us

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 09:00:00 -0500

In Episode 2 of our returned podcast I discuss what I have been doing in Columbus since the November 2024 election, the Speaker election, why Lame Duck will always be with us and some of the outcomes from this most recent session, along with the Ashtabula County Auditor's Office transition and what lies ahead to January 6, 2025 and the start of the next Ohio General Assembly.

The Podcast is back! With a new focus and role.

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 18:00:00 -0500

Join Ashtabula County Auditor and incoming State Representative for Ohio's 65th District David Thomas as he welcomes listeners back to the Ohio's Bios Podcast while cooking up a little lunch.

The podcast will be coming back regularly to update you on the insights he is gaining from Columbus, behind the scenes views on the important happenings of today, and a look at who makes our state great!

E:14 Brian Walsh and the Plan to Make the Washington DC Air Travel Market More Competitive

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Brian Walsh is a former Washington DC Hill Staffer and current spokesman for the Capital Access Alliance (CAA). We spoke about the group's goal for the FAA Reauthorization Bill to make air travel more affordable and accessible to and from Washington D.C. Since the late 1960s, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) has been the only airport subject to a federally imposed perimeter rule, which limits the number of flights that are allowed to take-off and land outside a 1,250-mile perimeter. This, along with limits on the number of total flights, causes ticket prices to be artificially inflated. We talk about how removing this bureaucratic holdover policy will create better competition for the airplane ticket market.

You can learn more about this group and their plan at: https://capitalaccessalliance.com/

E:13 Veterans Service Commission- Ben Schwartfigure Director for Ashtabula County

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode I speak with Ben Schwartfigure, the Ashtabula County Veterans Service Commission Director, about the services provided to our community's veterans. From health benefits to housing assistance and work with federal and state agencies, the VSC assists veterans everyday. Many are unaware of the programs VSCs across Ohio provide and the federal and state dollars brought in to counties as a result of their work.

Take a listen then learn more about the Veterans Service Commission here: https://www.ashtabulaveterans.com/

E:12 US Mexican Border Visit- Immigration, Border Security, and a Growing Crisis

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 14:00:00 -0400

This episode is different from others run in Ohio's Bios. For Episode 12 I share about a unique opportunity I had to visit the US Mexican Border in McAllen, Texas to view firsthand the Border Crisis at the southern border, learn how it impacts the entire United States, and determine policies ideas for helping to secure the border. I took this trip led by American's For Prosperity, a national policy nonprofit aimed at educating citizens and advocating for economic freedom.

We saw a Rio Grande River crossing in the McAllen Water District run by Othal Brand. Touched several variations of walls, technology, and structural barriers. Also heard from retired Yuma, Arizona Border Patrol Chief Chris Clem about his experience and policy ideas- just a wall or just technology or just more staff will not secure our border, policy changes must be made to clear confusion and direct behavior to legal immigration. Then visited the Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley to hear how they process and serve as respite care hundreds of people daily before they go to their sponsor in America.

The solution isn't just a 1 prong approach but 4. 1) More physical barriers where it makes sense to slow border crossers, 2) more technology for surveillance and notifications where it makes sense, 3) more staffing for Border Patrol Agents to increase the force and immigration Judges, 4) change of policies for Immigration itself removing unclear policies and increasing ability for legal immigration or work migration.

See photos at: www.davidthomasforashtabulacounty.com/single-post/my-visit-to-the-us-mexican-border

E11: Doug Starkey, Ashtabula County Environmental Services Director

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Doug Starkey has served as Director of the Ashtabula County Environmental Services for 3 years in addition to his wealth of local government experiences as Fire Chief and City Manager in the City of Geneva. We discuss his perspective of the challenges local governments and residents face and what he has learned in his decades of leadership for Ashtabula County. From water rates to city councils and everything in-between, you'll get a great sense of the view from an administrative head in a local community.

E10: The Bio of a Landsale

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Ohio's Auditors are responsible for vacant and forfeited land auctions. Many residents are unaware of the process of foreclosure and how land becomes available for use after it has been forfeited to the state.

E9: Asheesh Agarwal, Advisor to the American Edge Project and Former Federal Trade Commission & Department of Justice Staff Member

Sun, 14 May 2023 19:00:00 -0400

Asheesh Agarwal is a former assistant director for the Office of Policy Planning at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), staff member at the Department of Justice, and is currently an advisor to the American Edge Project, a coalition of nearly two dozen organizations dedicated to advancing and protecting American innovation and technology. https://americanedgeproject.org/

We discuss Asheesh's roles in Washington DC assisting policy to increase business competitiveness and help consumers in addition to his insight for today's technology and information sector. While his background is different from many of our guests, this episode highlights the unique impact federal policy and international relations has in the lives of everyday Americans and local governments. Technology is a growing part of all organizations and the need for American led innovation is important now more than ever.

While talking, we discovered a policy he helped initiate directly benefited Ashtabula County and Ohio's Wine Industry by allowing the shipment of wine across state lines. A perfect example of the benefits of allowing competition and lowering barriers to entry for businesses.

E:8 Alex Iarocci, Executive Director of the Ashtabula County Land Bank

Mon, 01 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Alex Iarocci is the Executive Director of the Ashtabula County Landbank, a quasi government non-profit organization housed in the Ashtabula County Treasurer's Office focused on revitalizing abandoned and dilapidated properties. We discuss the economic impacts a Landbank can have on a community, the challenges to being largely grant funded, and future goals of development through a Landbank. Learn more here: www.ashtabulacountylandbank.com/

The Ashtabula County Landbank is celebrating its 10th year in existence with a party on Tuesday, May 22nd at 4:30pm at the Ashtabula County Courthouse. All are welcome to learn about the impact the Landbank has had.

E:7 So my taxes are how much? The Auditor's Role in Property Taxes and Values

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 10:00:00 -0400

In this Episode, Ashtabula County Auditor David Thomas breaks down the role of County Auditors in property values and taxes for Ohio's residents. Learn the process for valuing properties, how tax rates are determined, and the basis of your tax bill originates.

E:6 Deb Friedstrom, Plymouth Township Trustee- Fire and Road Departments, Life of a Trustee, Grassroots Leadershp

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Deb Friedstrom is the Township Trustee for Plymouth Township in Ashtabula County and serves as the Township Association President. We discuss her 14 years as a Township Trustee with lessons of cooperation and communication in addition to struggles of a small township with large expenses.

E:5 The Duty of Weights & Measures- Local Government Role in Consumer Protection

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 5:

March 1st-7th is National Weights & Measures Week. The Auditor's Office is Ohio is responsible for certifying the weight of commercial scales and devices ranging from gas pumps to deli scales, highway truck scales to propane trucks, and everything in-between. Listen in as County Auditor David Thomas describes the role of County Auditor in Weights & Measures and why this Consumer Protection duty is so important to you, the taxpayer!

E:4 Geneva City Council President Mario Butera- Paving, Public Relations, and Money Priorities

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 01:00:00 -0500

Episode 4:
Mario Butera is the Geneva City Council President and serves as a music teacher in the community as well. In this episode, we discuss the competing financial interests of a small town, the role a council takes in the governing process, and some interesting fun facts about Geneva, Ohio.

E:3 The Bio of an Ohio Auditor's Office- Roles, Responsibilities, and Duties

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 08:00:00 -0500

In the 3rd episode of Ohio's Bios, you get an introduction into the many jobs an Ohio Auditor's Office performs to serve other governments and tax payers. Chief Assessor, Fiscal Officer, Sealer of Weights & Measures, Licensor, and Head of IT are just some of the titles given to Ohio's County Auditors. Learn how the Auditor's Office is at the center of County Government.

E:2 Geneva on the Lake Village Administrator Jeremy Shaffer- Tourism, Lake Erie Erosion, Leadership

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 07:00:00 -0500

Jeremy Shaffer is the Village Administrator for Geneva on the Lake, Ohio. In this episode he discusses the qualities needed in good local government leaders, challenges specific to Geneva on the Lake such as lake front erosion and the seasonality of their village tourism, and his background in the military and local government.

E:1 Podcast Launch for Ohio's Bios- Insights from Ohio Local Governments

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 09:00:00 -0500

Ashtabula County Auditor David Thomas launches his podcast, Ohio's Bios- Insights from Ohio's Local Governments. This podcast will help shed light on the people behind local government as we learn about the services they provide, challenges and opportunities they face, and why they have a passion in working for you.