COLUMBUS — State Rep. Derek Merrin (R., Monclova Township) has been named chairman of the Ohio House Ways and Means Committee, which specializes in tax policy.

He replaces former Rep. Tim Schaffer (R., Lancaster), who recently returned to the Senate. Mr. Merrin previously chaired the House Health Committee.

The appointment was made by Speaker Larry Householder (R., Glenford).

“My philosophy is that it’s not the government’s money, it’s the taxpayers’ money,” said Mr. Merrin, the former Waterville mayor first appointed to the House in 2016.

“I’ve always taken seriously my role as a watchdog to protect tax dollars and look forward to continuing my efforts to make the tax code simpler to lower compliance costs for families, farmers, and businesses in northwest Ohio,” he said.

First Published October 3, 2019, 9:52 p.m.