State Representative Richard Adams (R-Troy)...
Adams To Be Candidate for Election  
December  3, 2011 

COLUMBUS---State Representative Richard Adams (R-Troy) today announced his candidacy for election as representative of the 80th Ohio House District----which will include all of Miami County and southern Darke County----during the 130th General Assembly. 

“My goal is to conduct an informative campaign to be elected by the voters of the 80th District to represent them in Columbus,” Adams said.  “I will continue to work hard to keep Ohio fiscally solvent and ensure that our business climate encourages economic investment and job creation. “My objective is to do or undo those things in Columbus which are important to the people I represent.”  

During the 2011 session of the 129th General Assembly, Adams has helped the Ohio House to fill an $8 billion budget deficit without raising taxes on Ohioans, reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses, and reduce and/or eliminate non funded mandates. 

Adams commented on his overall goals.  “I will continue to work to make state government more efficient and more economical.  My efforts have earned me the Watch Dog of the Treasury Award in Ohio.  As a responsible steward of the taxpayers’ dollars I will continue to protect Ohio’s citizens through a more accountable state government.  The award is presented to public officials who demonstrate a commitment to limited government, lower taxes, regulatory relief and individual liberty.  During these difficult economic times it is very important to eliminate government waste.  I recognize the importance of the state fulfilling its responsibility to be a financial partner with our school districts including the end of state mandates, especially those without the necessary state financial support.  I am committed to working in the legislature to provide the necessary legislation to improve the management of state government.” 

He sponsored House Bill 302, which eliminated the need for a new department in Miami County by consolidating the current Clerk of Courts of Miami County and the new Clerk of Miami County Municipal Court.  This consolidation will save the taxpayers of Miami County $600,000 during the next six years. 

He sponsored House Bill 209 which enables governmental entities including school districts to have their checking account fund balances to be invested over night to draw interest and be fully protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in multiples of $250,000.  It is expected to earn hundreds of thousands of dollars state wide in interest for local governments. 

Adams serves as the chairman of the House Financial Institutions, Housing and Urban Development Committee and also is a member of the Commerce and Labor Committee and the Finance and Appropriations Committee.  He serves on the Finance and Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services.  In addition he serves on the Workforce Development Task Force.  He has been appointed to the Medicaid Financial Overview Committee and the Medicaid Reform Committee. 

Adams previously served two terms as Miami County Commissioner.  He also has a long history in education, including serving as the founding superintendent of the Upper Valley JVS and as a trustee of Edison Community College. 

Adams has been very active as a community volunteer.  He is a member of the Miami County Farm Bureau, the Miami County Foundation Board of Directors serving as Chairman of the Grant Distribution Committee, the Piqua Rotary Club having served as President and District Governor and the Miami County Republican Men’s Club having served as President.  He is a member of the Darke County Republican Men’s Club.  Currently at the state level he is a member of the Sportsmen’s Alliance in the House of Representatives.  Adams has served on a number of boards and committees including the Troy Development Council, Miami County Board of Elections, and Clear Creek Farm Board (past chairman).  While serving on the Edison Community College Board of Trustees he was recognized as the Out standing Community College Trustee in the United States and Canada, and at the state level he received the Maureen Grady Award for Special Achievement and was the first recipient of the Richard N. Adams Award for Educational Service (named in his honor) from the Ohio Association of Community Colleges. 

Adams has served as Chairman of the National Association of Community Colleges, Chairman of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges, Member of the American Association of Community Colleges Board of Directors, President of the National Community Colleges Trustees Trust Fund Board, Member of the Ohio Republican Party Central Committee representing the Fifth Senate District, President of the Miami County OSU Alumni Club, Chairman of the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce, President of Brukner Nature Center Board, Chairman of the Piqua United Fund Campaign, Chairman of Leadership Piqua Board, President Piqua United Fund Board, President of Dayton Area Superintendent’s Association, President Miami County Council, President of Challenge 95 Regional Planning Task Force, President Tri-County Mental Health Board, President Miami Valley Health Improvement Council and President of Riverside Board of Developmental Disabilities. 

Adams has received several honors for his work and community service including being named a Distinguished Alumni by The Ohio State University College of Agriculture, Honorary State FFA Degree from the Ohio FFA, Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International, Community Service Award by Troy Jaycees, Ohio Outstanding Administrator by Ohio Vocational Association, Citizenship Award for Distinguished Service to Humanity from The Ohio State University Alumni Association, and Distinguished Citizen of Troy by Troy Chamber of Commerce. 

Adams graduated from Fairlawn High School and was the first inductee into the Fairlawn School District Hall of Honor.  He received B.Sc., MA., and Ph.D. degrees from The Ohio State University and was inducted into Gamma Sigma Delta (scholastic honorary fraternity). 

Adams resides in Concord Township with his wife Sandy.  The have three adult children, Julie, Rick and Christian.