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.
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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
- Media
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Senate Building 1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor Columbus, OH 43215 Phone: (614) 466-3780 Email: SD10@senate.state.oh.us |
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Energy and Public Utilities (Chair) Finance and Financial Institutions (Vice Chair) Insurance, Commerce and Labor Ways and Means and Economic Development |
| Primary Sponsor | SB 10 | SB 232 |
| Cosponsor | HB 5 | HB 10 | HB 27 | HB 67 | HB 150 | HB 290 | HB 363 | SB 1 |
| SB 4 | SB 5 | SB 42 | SB 80 | SB 86 | SB 96 | SB 131 | SB 155 |
| SB 162 | SB 185 | SB 186 | SB 190 | SB 204 | SB 211 | SB 223 | SB 235 |
| 03.05.2010 | |
| Widener meets with local pastor | |
 Download High Resolution Image | Columbus - State Senator Chris Widener recently met with Pastor Brian Hanson from the Grace Baptist Church in Cedarville on the Ohio Senate floor. Pastor Hanson was asked to say the traditional prayer at the beginning of Senate session on March 3. Read more...  |
| 03.03.2010 | |
| Widener testifies renewable energy bill will jump start 700 green-collar jobs | |
| Columbus - State Senator Chris Widener, chairman of the Senate Energy & Public Utilities Committee, today presented sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 232, legislation that would make Ohio more competitive with surrounding states to attract renewable energy projects and create green-collar jobs in Ohio. | |
| Read more... | |
| 03.01.2010 | |
| Widener announces emergency funds for Springfield homeless shelter | |
| Columbus - State Senator Chris Widener today announced that the Director of the Ohio Department of Development has released $85,000 in Emergency Discretionary Funds for the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Springfield. The funds will be used for the renovation and conversion of an existing building into an emergency shelter for homeless men. | |
| Read more... | |
| 02.24.2010 | |
| Widener recognized as 'watchdog' of Ohio taxpayer dollars | |
 Download High Resolution Image | Columbus - Senator Widener today received the United Conservatives of Ohio's Watchdog of the Treasury award for his dedication to fiscal responsibility and strong conservative voting record as a member of the Ohio House during the 127th General Assembly. Read more... |
| 02.24.2010 | |
| Widener introduces bill to jump start 700 green-collar jobs on renewable energy projects | |
 Download High Resolution Image | Columbus - State Senator Chris Widener, chairman of the Senate Energy & Public Utilities Committee, today introduced legislation that would make Ohio more competitive with surrounding states to attract renewable energy projects and create green-collar jobs in Ohio. Read more... |
| 02.09.2010 | |
| Widener appointed Vice Chair of the influential Senate Finance & Financial Institutions Committee | |
| Columbus - Today State Senator Chris Widener took on additional legislative responsibilities as he was appointed by Senate President Bill Harris to serve as Vice Chairman of the influential Senate Finance & Financial Institutions Committee for the remainder of the 128th General Assembly. | |
| Read more... | |
| 02.09.2010 | |
| Widener encourages businesses, public officials to participate in National Entrepreneurship Week | |
| Columbus - Senator Widener today encouraged Ohio's public officials and business leaders to participate in the 2010 National Entrepreneurship Week. The event, which runs from February 18 through February 22, was developed in Ohio by the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education and is a nationwide annual celebration of the contributions made by entrepreneurs and small businesses owners to our country's economy. | |
| Read more... | |
| 02.08.2010 | |
| Widener announces state grant for growth of Code Blue in Springfield, creation of 225 jobs | |
| Columbus - Senator Widener announced today that the state Controlling Board approved the release of a $750,000 Rapid Outreach Grant to help Code Blue, LLC purchase new machinery and equipment as part of the Wisconsin-based company's plan to expand operations in Springfield and bring 225 new, full-time jobs to the area. | |
| Read more... | |
| 02.08.2010 | |
| Widener announces release of state capital funds for renovation projects at Wright State | |
| Columbus - Senator Widener announced today that the state Controlling Board approved the release of more than $257,000 in state capital funds to complete needed renovations at Wright State University. | |
| Read more... | |
| 01.27.2010 | |
| Ohio Senate recognizes Boy Scouts 100th Anniversary | |
| Columbus - The Ohio Senate this afternoon approved a resolution recognizing the Boy Scouts of America for celebrating their 100th anniversary. Senator Widener, who cosponsored the resolution, congratulated the organization for achieving such an impressive milestone. | |
| Read more... | |
| 01.14.2010 | |
| Widener encourages local high school seniors to apply for legislative scholarship program | |
| Columbus - Senator Widener today encouraged local high school seniors to apply for college tuition assistance through the Ohio Association of Career Colleges and Schools' Legislative Scholarship Program. The OACCS, in cooperation with the Ohio General Assembly and 48 participating career colleges and schools across the state, is offering more than 275 scholarships worth nearly $1 million for students pursuing post-secondary training for careers in business, law, technology, medicine, criminal justice, education and a variety of other professions. | |
| Read more... | |
| 01.11.2010 | |
| Widener announces release of state grant to support expansion of Peerless Tech in Fairborn | |
| Columbus - Senator Widener announced today that the state Controlling Board approved the release of a $50,000 Rapid Outreach Grant to help Peerless Technologies Corporation make renovations and upgrade equipment at their facility in Greene County. As a result, the company will create 42 full-time jobs and retain 47 existing positions. | |
| Read more... | |
| 12.30.2009 | |
| A New Year's resolution | |
| Guest column by State Senator Chris Widener | |
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| 12.16.2009 | |
| Widener supports JROTC | |
| Columbus - Senator Widener this afternoon joined his Senate colleagues in approving House Bill 290, legislation that would ensure that the thousands of Ohio students who participate in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) will continue to receive credits toward high school graduation. | |
| Read more... | |
| 12.16.2009 | |
| Ohio Senate passes bipartisan campaign finance bill | |
| Columbus - The Ohio Senate today approved House Bill 5, legislation designed to govern contributions and expenditures related to political transition accounts and the inaugural activities of statewide officeholders. Senator Widener, who cosponsored HB 5, introduced similar legislation - Senate Bill 10 - in January. | |
| Read more... | |
| 12.15.2009 | |
| Ohio Senate leads passage of bipartisan effort to reform telecom regulations | |
| Columbus - The Ohio Senate voted to pass bipartisan reforms to Ohio's telephone regulations today. Senate Bill 162 has received eight hearings in the Senate Energy & Public Utilities Committee, chaired by Senator Widener. | |
| Read more... | |
| 11.30.2009 | |
| Widener announces state support for university, park projects in Greene County | |
| Columbus - Senator Widener announced today that the state Controlling Board approved the release of more than $326,500 in state capital funds for renovation projects at Wright State and Central State universities, as well as much-needed repairs to the bike path running through Little Miami State Park. | |
| Read more... | |
| 11.25.2009 | |
| Widener appointed to bipartisan budget planning commission | |
| Columbus - Senator Widener was recently appointed by Senate President Bill Harris to serve on a bipartisan commission charged with exploring long-term solutions for reducing state government spending and developing a plan for balancing Ohio's next budget bill. | |
| Read more... | |
| 11.05.2009 | |
| Widener announces release of Choose Ohio First Scholarship awards | |
| Columbus - Senator Widener announced today that the state Controlling Board approved the release of more than $13.3 million in Choose Ohio First Scholarship awards on November 2 to help recruit Ohio students to study the STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine at our state's colleges and universities over the next five years. This includes nearly $2.7 million to support a key partnership between schools in the Miami Valley designed to recruit and graduate more students with disabilities in STEM majors. | |
| Read more... | |
| 11.05.2009 | |
| Widener announces release of state capital dollars for renovations to Miami Valley Juvenile Rehabilitation Center | |
| Columbus - Senator Widener announced today that the state Controlling Board approved the release of $192,750 in state capital dollars on November 2 to help the Department of Youth Services make several renovations to the Miami Valley Juvenile Rehabilitation Center in Greene County. | |
| Read more... | |
| 11.05.2009 | |
| Widener announces release of state capital funds for security upgrades at Madison Correctional | |
| Columbus - Senator Widener announced today that the state Controlling Board approved the release of $45,000 on November 2 to help complete much-needed security improvements at the Madison Correctional Institution. | |
| Read more... | |
| 10.27.2009 | |
| Widener recognizes local SADD Student of the Year on Ohio Senate floor | |
 Download High Resolution Image | Columbus - Senator Widener today honored Northwestern High School graduate, Ricky Brit, on the Ohio Senate floor for his nationally-recognized work to raise awareness among his peers about the dangers of underage drinking, substance abuse, impaired and risky driving, teen violence, suicide and other destructive behaviors. Read more... |
| 10.19.2009 | |
| Widener announces release of Clean Ohio funds for work at former Hooven and Allison site in Xenia | |
| Columbus - Senator Widener announced on October 19 that the state Controlling Board approved the release of a $275,878 Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant to help the City of Xenia conduct an environmental assessment at the former Hooven and Allison Cordage Company site on Cincinnati Avenue, with the goal of marketing the property for future development. | |
| Read more... | |
| 10.19.2009 | |
| Widener announces release of Clean Ohio funds to preserve farmland in Clark County | |
| Columbus - Senator Widener announced on October 19 that the state Controlling Board approved the release of more than $200,000 from the Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program to help preserve nearly 300 acres of farmland in Clark County. | |
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| 10.07.2009 | |
| Widener to serve on council working to improve educational opportunities for military children | |
| Columbus - Senator Widener was recently appointed to serve on an important panel charged with helping reduce administrative and bureaucratic hurdles to educational success for military children. | |
| Read more... | |
| 10.02.2009 | |
| Senate approves bill to promote bio-products development in Ohio | |
| Guest column by State Senator Chris Widener | |
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| 09.28.2009 | |
| Widener announces release of state dollars to support Calamityville project in Fairborn | |
| Columbus - Senator Widener announced on September 28 that the state Controlling Board approved the release of $460,000 to support the design and planning of Wright State University's proposed Calamityville research, training and development facility in Fairborn. | |
| Read more... | |
| 09.28.2009 | |
| Widener announces release of state grants for park improvements in Clark and Greene counties | |
| Columbus - Senator Widener announced on September 28 that the state Controlling Board approved the release of nearly $76,500 in NatureWorks grants through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to support key parks and recreation projects in Clark and Greene counties. | |
| Read more... | |
| 08.10.2009 | |
| Widener announces state capital dollars for university renovation projects in Greene County | |
| Columbus - Senator Widener announced on August 10 that the state Controlling Board approved the release of more than $375,000 in state capital dollars to complete important renovations at Central State and Wright State Universities. | |
| Read more... | |
| 08.10.2009 | |
| Widener announces state capital dollars for energy efficiency upgrades at Clark State | |
| Columbus - Senator Widener announced on August 10 that the state Controlling Board approved the release $45,000 in state capital dollars to help make energy efficiency upgrades to Shull Hall on the Springfield Campus of Clark State Community College. | |
| Read more... | |
| 07.17.2009 | |
| Priorities not chosen for this budget | |
| Guest column by State Senator Chris Widener | |
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| 07.06.2009 | |
| Cap and trade bad for Ohio businesses, consumers | |
| Guest column by State Senator Chris Widener | |
| Read more... | |
| 06.30.2009 | |
| Widener wins Senate support for anti-cap and trade resolution | |
 Download High Resolution Image | Columbus - On June 30, the Ohio Senate approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 15, a proposal sponsored by Senator Widener, which urges members of the U.S. House and Senate to reject a cap and trade energy policy that would be a tremendous detriment to economic growth in Ohio, impact thousands of Ohio jobs and saddle Ohio consumers with higher energy bills. Read more... |