| Tom Letson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 64th district |
|
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 2, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Randy Law |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 29, 1952 Columbus, Ohio |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Warren, Ohio |
| Alma mater | Kent State University, University of Akron |
| Profession | Attorney, Machinist |
| Religion | Christian |
Tom Letson (born September 29, 1952 in Columbus, Ohio) is a Democratic member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 64th district since his election in 2006.
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Letson was born in Columbus, but shortly after his birth the family moved back to the Warren, Ohio area. He attended Champion Local Schools, graduating in 1970 and then attended St. Bonaventure University, graduating from Kent State University in 1983 with a BA. Tom enrolled in the University of Akron School of Law and received his JD in 1988. At the same time, Letson served a machinist apprenticeship, becoming a Journeyman while working at Copperweld Steel Corp.
After being sworn into the legal profession by his former employer, Judge Robert A. Nader, Tom joined the law firm founded by his father and uncle. Letson, Griffith, Woodall & Lavelle is a major presence in the Trumbull County legal scene.
Judge Nader later swore Tom into the House for Letson's first term in December 2006. Nader held that legislative seat until 1983 when he returned to Warren to become a Common Pleas judge.
Letson is married to the former Debra J. Whaley. They reside in Warren, Ohio, with one daughter.
Letson defeated one-term incumbent Republican Randy Law with 54.5% of the vote in 2006.[1] He was re-elected in 2008, receiving 67.5% of the vote.[2]
Currently, he serves as chairman on the Ways & Means Committee, and on the Health Committee, on the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, and as Vice-Chair of the Insurance Committee.
In 2010, Letson defeated Republican Albert Haberstroh with 62.57% of the vote to take a third term.[3] Currently he is serving on the committees of Insurance and its Subcommittee on Workers' Compensation, Judiciary and Ethics, State Government and Elections and its Subcommittee on Redistricting (as ranking member), and Ways and Means (as ranking member).[4] He also is a member of the Workers’ Compensation Council until it was defeated in HB 153.
Letson, as ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee, has remained skeptical of the actual benefit of providing more tax cuts to small business. He has stated that the state first needs to do more to determine whether its current tax credits are creating jobs, "rather than throwing money away - money that is currently being used to help local governments and this state's most vulnerable populations."[5]
In another proposal with Representative Stautberg, Letson is looking to authorize probate court judges to appoint employees but leave the judge open to personal liability for actions that occur within the scope of their employment.[6]