Chris Widener (R)
Senator
State Senator Chris Widener represents the 10th Senate District, which includes Madison, Clark and Greene counties. Before coming to the Senate, he served three terms as the State Representative for the 84th House District. An architect by trade, Chris brings strong interpersonal skills, a dedicated work ethic and a keen attention to detail to his job as a legislator. He engages with witnesses in committee and his fellow senators about key issues. He spends hours researching important bills. And, he has a genuine passion for public service and a dedication to doing what is best for the people of the 10th District and the future success of the region.
[Read Complete Biography]
Senator Snapshot
| Hometown: Springfield |
| Party: Republican |
| Elected Experience: State Senator since 2009; State Representative, 1999-2000, 2003-2008 |
| Current Term: Expires December 2012; Eligible to run for another four-year term |
- Contact
- Committees
- Bills
- Resolutions
- Media
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Senate Building 1 Capitol Square, 1st Floor Columbus, OH 43215 Phone: (614) 466-3780 Email: SD10@senate.state.oh.us |
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Finance (Chair) Government Oversight and Reform Rules and Reference State Controlling Board Ways and Means and Economic Development |
| Primary Sponsor | SB 266 |
| Primary Sponsor | SCR 2 | SCR 5 | SCR 19 | SR 30 |
| Cosponsor | HCR 13 | HCR 14 | HJR 1 | SCR 4 | SCR 7 | SCR 24 | SJR 1 | SR 19 |
| SR 20 | SR 29 | SR 40 | SR 59 | SR 66 | SR 71 | SR 77 | SR 78 |
| SR 111 | SR 112 | SR 127 | SR 129 | SR 130 | SR 140 | ||
| 01.31.2012 | |
| Widener resolution to bolster Ohio's UAS industry passes Ohio Senate unanimously | |
| COLUMBUS - State Senator Chris Widener announced that Senate Concurrent Resolution 19 passed the Ohio Senate today by a vote of 32-0. | |
Read more . . .  | |
| 01.30.2012 | |
| Widener announces 985 jobs created statewide | |
| COLUMBUS - State Senator Chris Widener today announced that the state Development Financing Advisory Council has approved economic development loans and assistance to a total of five companies across Ohio that have committed to creating 985 new jobs and retaining an additional 579 positions. | |
| Read more . . . | |
| 01.25.2012 | |
| Widner named Public Servant of the Year by Ohio ACTE | |
 Download High Resolution Image | COLUMBUS - State Senator Chris Widener was named the Ohio Association of Career and Technical Education's (OACTE) 2012 Public Servant of the Year at the association's annual legislative seminar. Read more . . . |
| 01.24.2012 | |
| Widener statement on State of the Union address | |
| COLUMBUS - State Senator Chris Widener released the following state in response to President Obama's State of the Union address this evening to Congress. | |
| Read more . . . | |
| 01.23.2012 | |
| Widener announces 2011-12 legislative scholarship program | |
| COLUMBUS - State Senator Chris Widener today announced the Ohio Association of Career Colleges and Schools 2011-2012 Legislative Scholarship Program. The program offers over 340 scholarship opportunities worth more than $1,100,000 to graduating high school seniors in Ohio. | |
| Read more . . . | |
| 01.19.2012 | |
| Widener testifies on resolution to bolster UAS industry in Ohio | |
 Download High Resolution Image | COLUMBUS - State Senator Chris Widener gave sponsor testimony today in the Ohio Senate Ways and Means and Economic Development Committee on Senate Concurrent Resolution 19, legislation urging the Federal Aviation Administration to choose Ohio as a test site for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) integration into the National Airspace System. Read more . . . |
| 01.09.2012 | |
| Widener announces National Afro-American History Museum emergency funding approved | |
| COLUMBUS-State Senator Chris Widener today announced state Controlling Board approval of an emergency capital funding release to finance a mold removal project at the National Afro-American History Museum in Wilberforce, Ohio. | |
| Read more . . . | |
| 01.09.2012 | |
| Widener announces state action to result in 552 new jobs locally | |
| COLUMBUS-State Senator Chris Widener today announced state Controlling Board approval of economic development loans and assistance for three companies operating in Clark and Madison Counties. As a result, Thirty-One Gifts, Eden Cryogenics, and Tech II will create 552 new jobs and retain an additional 23 at-risk jobs. | |
| Read more . . . | |
| 12.13.2011 | |
| 12.12.11 Widener announces Controlling Board action to result in at least 25 new jobs in Xenia | |
| COLUMBUS - State Senator Chris Widener today announced that the Controlling Board has approved a $1.98 million Clean Ohio grant to the City of Xenia for demolition and remediation activities at the former Hooven and Allison Cordage Company site. | |
| Read more . . . | |
| 12.07.2011 | |
| 12.5.11 Widener announces 680 jobs created statewide | |
| COLUMBUS - State Senator Chris Widener today announced that economic development loans and assistance were approved for12 projects throughout the state that will create 680 new jobs and retain or save 1,707 additional jobs, including 22 new positions at Tech II in Springfield. | |
| Read more . . . | |
| 12.07.2011 | |
| 12.1.11 Widener announces local fallen heroes honored | |
| COLUMBUS - State Senator Chris Widener today announced that two local fallen veterans were awarded the Ohio Military Medal of Distinction. Marine Lieutenant Colonel Mario D. Carazo of Springfield and Army Specialist Jesse A. Snow of Fairborn were among the thirty-five fallen veterans honored at today's Joint Convention of the Ohio General Assembly. | |
| Read more . . . | |
| 12.07.2011 | |
| 11.30.11 Widener announces Preservation Merit Award | |
| COLUMBUS - State Senator Chris Widener today announced that the coalition of groups responsible for the preservation and rehabilitation of the Shawnee Hotel in Downtown Springfield have received a 2011 Preservation Merit Award from the Ohio Historic Preservation Office. | |
| Read more . . . | |
| 12.07.2011 | |
| 11.29.11 Xenia Clean Ohio Fund Award | |
| COLUMBUS - State Senator Chris Widener today announced that the City of Xenia has been awarded a $1.98 million grant from the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund for demolition and remediation activities at the former Hooven and Allison Cordage Company site. | |
| Read more . . . | |
| 11.29.2011 | |
| Widener, Sawyer introduce student trustee voting rights bill | |
| Columbus-State Senators Chris Widener and Tom Sawyer (D- Akron) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would grant full voting powers to student members of university boards of trustees at Ohio's public institutions of higher education. | |
| Read more... | |
| 11.22.2011 | |
| Widener named 2011 Home Care and Hospice Hero | |
| Columbus - State Senator Chris Widener was named a 2011 Home Care and Hospice Hero by the Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice at their recent annual conference in Columbus. | |
| Read more . . . | |
| 11.16.2011 | |
| Widener announces local organizations receive Ohio Arts Council grants | |
| Columbus-State Senator Chris Widener today announced that three area organizations received grant funding through the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). Chamber Music Yellow Springs, Inc., Westcott House Foundation, and Xenia Area Community Theater Inc. won project support grants totaling $18,175. | |
| Read more... | |
| 11.15.2011 | |
| Widener cosponsors bill to help Ohio students afford cost of higher education | |
| Columbus-State Senator Chris Widener today announced that House Bill 167 passed the Ohio Senate unanimously. | |
| Read more... | |
| 11.14.2011 | |
| Widener announces roadwork development grant to create 120 new jobs, retain 442 | |
| Columbus-State Senator Chris Widener today announced that the State Controlling Board has approved the release of a $750,000 Roadwork Development Grant to support the Target Corporation expansion project in the Village of West Jefferson. | |
| Read more... | |
| 11.02.2011 | |
| Ohio companies to create 574 new jobs | |
| Columbus — State Senator Chris Widener today announced that the state Development Financing Advisory Council (DFAC) has approved economic development loans and assistance to six companies across Ohio that have committed to creating 574 new jobs and 436 jobs will be retained. | |
| Read more . . . | |
| 10.26.2011 | |
| Senators Widener, Beagle, Jones, and Lehner introduce resolution to bolster Ohio's UAS industry | |
| Columbus - State Senators Chris Widener, Bill Beagle (R-Tipp City), Shannon Jones (R-Springboro), and Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering) today announced the introduction of legislation calling upon the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to select Ohio as a site for testing Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). | |
| Read more . . . | |
| 10.24.2011 | |
| Widener announces Controlling Board approval of job creation and other investments | |
| Columbus - State Senator Chris Widener today announced that the State Controlling Board has approved the release of loans and grants totaling $1,927,444 for key projects and job creation efforts in the region. | |
| Read more . . . | |
| 09.26.2011 | |
| Development funding to create 375 new jobs | |
| State Senator Chris Widener today announced that the state Development Financing Advisory Council (DFAC) has approved economic development loans and assistance to a total of five companies across Ohio that have committed to creating 375 new jobs, saving 2,298 at-risk jobs, and retaining an additional 1,910 positions. | |
| Read more . . . | |
| 09.15.2011 | |
| Widener announces 400 new jobs coming to district | |
| Columbus - State Senator Chris Widener released the following statement regarding new job creation in the research and defense-aerospace industries in Clark, Green, and Madison Counties: "It is great to see private industry stepping up to the plate to create jobs in the Miami Valley," Widener said. "The defense and aerospace industry holds massive potential for job creation and economic growth in the region, and we need to be doing everything humanly possible to make it happen." | |
| Read more... | |
| 09.13.2011 | |
| Controlling Board moves to save jobs | |
| Columbus -State Senator Chris Widener today announced Controlling Board approval of a $1,781,250 loan to Springfield-based Tech II for the expansion of manufacturing operations in the region. | |
| Read more . . . | |
| 08.23.2011 | |
| Widener objects to state universities purchasing facility data twice | |
| Columbus - State Senator Chris Widener released the following statement in response to Controlling Board deferral of a $127,858 contract between Youngstown State University (YSU) and Sightlines, a facility assessment company headquartered in Guilford, CT: | |
| Read more . . . | |
| 08.08.2011 | |
| Widener announces Controlling Board approval of new jobs for the region | |
| Columbus- State Senator Chris Widener today announced that the State Controlling Board has approved the release of $40,000 to Systran Corporation for costs associated with the acquisition of new machinery and equipment in support of their work in Fairborn. This investment will lead to the creation of 15 engineering and technical jobs with an average hourly wage of $36. | |
| Read more . . . | |
| 07.25.2011 | |
| State moves to save over 600 jobs | |
| Columbus - State Senator Chris Widener today announced that the state Development Financing Advisory Council (DFAC) has approved economic development loans and assistance to a total of six companies across Ohio that have committed to creating 265 new jobs, retaining 114 at-risk jobs, and retaining an additional 316 positions. These companies from across Ohio will invest over $1.3 million of private capital in addition to the $9.8 million committed by the Ohio Department of Development. | |
| Read more . . . | |
| 06.21.2011 | |
| Widener cosponsors legislation to reduce size of state government, save taxpayer millions | |
| Columbus-State Senator Chris Widener today cosponsored and voted favorably to pass legislation that would adopt recommendations from the bipartisan Sunset Review Committee. Substitute Senate Bill 171 will abolish or consolidate 85 state boards and commissions in an effort to reduce the size of state government and save Ohioans more than $6.7 million over the next five years. | |
| Read more... | |
| 06.15.2011 | |
| Widener, Jones named to budget conference committee | |
| Columbus - Ohio Senate President Tom Niehaus formally appointed today Senator Chris Widener and Senate Majority Whip Shannon Jones (R-Springboro) to serve on the state budget conference committee. | |
| Read more... | |
| 06.08.2011 | |
| Governor presents Widener with Good Government Award | |
 Download High Resolution Image | Columbus-State Senator Chris Widener, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) today was honored by the governor and AIA Ohio with the "Good Government Award." Read more... |
| 05.23.2011 | |
| Widener announces Controlling Board approval of almost 40 new jobs | |
| Columbus-State Senator Chris Widener today announced that the State Controlling Board has approved the release of $7.8 million to seepex Inc. (SI) for the construction of an additional 63,000 square feet to the existing Enon facility and the creation of 38 new jobs. | |
| Read more... | |
| 05.20.2011 | |
| 100 new employees showcased at ribbon cutting for new CodeBlue command center | |
| Springfield, OH - State Senator Chris Widener joined local business leaders and other elected officials this morning to cut the ceremonial ribbon on the permanent location of CodeBlue's largest command center. | |
| Read more... | |
| 05.11.2011 | |
| Senator Widener: Ohio veterans can still apply for bonus program | |
| Guest column from State Senator Chris Widener | |
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| 05.03.2011 | |
| Widener announces budget testimony to be available online | |
| Columbus-Senate Finance Committee Chairman Senator Chris Widener and Senate President Tom Niehaus (R- New Richmond) today announced that the Senate Finance Committee will be utilizing technology to help streamline the budget process by allowing Ohioans to view testimony and other items online. | |
| Read more... | |
| 04.25.2011 | |
| Widener announces 100 new and retained jobs | |
| Columbus-State Senator Chris Widener today announced that the state Development Financing Advisory Council (DFAC) has approved the release of $7.8 million to seepex Inc. (SI) for the construction of an additional 63,000 square feet to the existing Enon facility and the purchase of machinery and equipment to streamline and expedite the manufacturing process. | |
| Read more... | |
| 04.22.2011 | |
| $1.8 million in infrastructure improvements await approval for economic expansion | |
| Columbus - State Senator Chris Widener announced today that the State Controlling Board is expected to approve $1.8 million for job creation to the City of Springfield at their Monday meeting. The funds will be used to redevelop the Champion City Business Park located at the former International Lagonda Assembly Plant site. | |
| Read more... | |
| 04.11.2011 | |
| Widener announces release of $350,000 to fund local university safety upgrades | |
| Columbus-State Senator Chris Widener today announced that the State Controlling Board has approved projects to uphold safety standards and fund renovations at Wright State University and Central State University. | |
| Read more... | |
| 03.30.2011 | |
| Widener announces $1.8 million approved for Springfield infrastructure improvements | |
| Columbus - State Senator Chris Widener announced today that the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) has committed $1.8 million for job creation within the region to the City of Springfield to redevelop the Champion City Business Park located at the presently unusable, former International Lagonda Assembly Plant site. | |
| Read more... | |
| 03.23.2011 | |
| Widener announces Glen Helen specialty license plate | |
| Columbus - State Senator Chris Widener and the Glen Helen Ecology Institute announced today that the state transportation budget, House Bill 114, will include a provision allowing for the creation of a Glen Helen Nature Preserve specialty license plate. | |
| Read more... | |
| 03.15.2011 | |
| Widener resolution to bring space shuttle to Miami Valley passes Ohio Legislature | |
| Columbus - Senator Chris Widener today announced the Ohio House passed a resolution urging President Obama and the Administrator of NASA to transfer one of the retiring space shuttle orbiters to the National Museum of the United States Air Force (NMUSAF) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The measure passed the House unanimously. | |
| Read more... | |
| 02.28.2011 | |
| Widener announces SAIC to expand operations in Dayton region and create new jobs | |
| Columbus - State Senator Chris Widener and the Dayton Development Coalition (DDC) today announced that the Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to expand its operations in Springfield and create new jobs in Beavercreek. | |
| Read more... | |
| 02.24.2011 | |
| Ohio Senate votes to save Ohioans $48 million in income taxes over next three years | |
| Columbus - State Senator Chris Widener announced the Ohio Senate recently voted to change the definition of "income" to match the federal definition, which will save Ohioans more than $48 million over the next three years. House Bill 58 passed with unanimous support, including an emergency clause causing it to take effect immediately. | |
| Read more... | |
| 02.09.2011 | |
| Widener resolution to bring space shuttle to Miami Valley passes Ohio Senate Committee | |
 Download High Resolution Image | Columbus - State Senator Chris Widener today announced the Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committee has approved a resolution urging President Obama and the Administrator of NASA to transfer one of the retiring space shuttle orbiters to the National Museum of the United State Air Force (NMUSAF) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Read more... Senator Widener's testimony |
| 01.31.2011 | |
| Widener announces $165,000 for mental health project in Greene County | |
| Columbus-State Senator Chris Widener today announced that the State Controlling Board has approved the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH) to release $165,000 for a housing project in Xenia for individual and families with severe and persistent mental illness. | |
| Read more... | |
| 01.03.2011 | |
| Widener sworn in as senator for the 129th General Assembly | |
 Download High Resolution Image | Columbus-As part of opening day for the 129th General Assembly, State Senator Chris Widener today was sworn in as the state senator representing Ohio's 10th Senate District, which includes Clark, Greene and Madison counties. Read more... |
| 12.03.2010 | |
| Senate President-Elect Niehaus selects Chris Widener to head Senate Finance Committee | |
| Columbus- Senate President-Elect Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) today announced his intent to appoint Senator Chris Widener as chairman of the Senate Finance & Financial Institutions Committee for the 129th General Assembly. Widener currently serves as the panel's Vice Chairman. | |
| Read more... | |