| Cliff Hite | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Ohio Senate from the 1st district |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office February 1, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Steve Buehrer |
| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 76th district |
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| In office January 2, 2007-February 1, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Mike Gilb |
| Succeeded by | Robert Sprague |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 4, 1954 Findlay, Ohio |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence | Findlay, Ohio |
| Alma mater | University of Kentucky |
| Profession | Teacher, Coach |
| Religion | Methodist |
Cliff Hite was an American high school teacher and coach who represents the First District in the Ohio Senate. He also serves as the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
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Hite graduated from Findlay High School in 1972, and obtained his B.S. degree from the University of Kentucky in 1977 in Secondary Studies with an emphasis in social studies.[1]
Upon graduating from UK, Hite served in four school districts as teacher. From 1977 to 1980, Hite taught in Danville, Kentucky at Danville High School. In 1980, Hite returned to Findlay for the first of three years as a teacher at Findlay High School. Hite spent from 1983 to 1996 teaching at Bryan High School in Bryan, Ohio. In 1996, Hite returned to Findlay High School where he remained until 2006 when he was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives.
The decisions which probably garnered Hite the most national attention during his coaching tenure were those surrounding Ben Roethlisberger, now the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Roethlisberger did not play quarterback until his senior year of 1999-2000, giving way to the Cliff Hite's son, Ryan Hite. Roethslisberger played college quarterback at Division I Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Roethlisberger holds every major passing record at the school and a number of passing records in the Mid-American Conference although he only played for three years. Ryan Hite played college wide receiver at Division III Denison University where he set numerous receiving records.
Hite was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2006, defeating Democrat John Kostyo with 59.94% of the vote.[2] In 2008, he won reelection with 98.39% of the vote, and in 2010, won a third term with 70.78% of the vote over Democrat Jeffrey Detmer.[3]
Representative Hite was sworn into a third term on January 3, 2011,[4] however, with Senator Steve Buehrer's pending resignation from the Ohio Senate to head the Bureau of Worker's Compensation under Governor-elect John Kasich, Hite was mentioned as a possible successor.[5]
It was announced that Hite would be appointed to the Senate in January 2011. Upon announcement of the appointment, Senate President Tom Niehaus stated “Cliff Hite knows the many challenges that are facing our state, but he is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and delve into the issues.”[6]
On February 1, 2011, Hite was sworn into the Senate. He serves on the committees of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources (as Chairman); Education; Financial Institutions; and Government Oversight and Reform. He also serves on the Correctional Institution Inspection Committee; and the Environmental Education Council.
Hite was suddenly appointed to the Insurance, Commerce and Labor committee that then voted to pass Senate Bill 5, which increases taxpayer control over public employees' contracts, to the full Senate for a vote.[7] Although the bill would impact public teachers (his former profession), Senator Hite voted for it. On the floor of the Senate, Sen. Hite explained his vote. He told a story about his senior year in high school, when he had finally worked hard enough to start for the Findlay football team. However, the teachers' union went on strike that year, placing his senior season in jeopardy. He explained how he voted for the bill out of respect for his former football coach, who crossed the picket line in order to coach.[8]
In regards to a controversial voting bill, Hite is in favor of requiring photo ID to cast a ballot, but wants to ensure that the state is able to provide free IDs if necessary.[9]
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