Ohio House committee has first hearing to eliminate Youngstown judgeship

COLUMBUS — A legislative committee began hearings today on legislation that would eliminate a vacant judgeship on the Youngstown Municipal Court.

Democratic Reps. Robert Hagan of Youngstown, D-60th, and Ronald Gerberry of Austintown, D-59th, offered sponsor testimony before the House’s Judiciary and Ethics Committee on House Bill 606. The legislation could move through the House and Senate before the end of the year.

The bill seeks to reduce the bench in the municipal court from three to two judges, eliminating the seat that was vacated when Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr. retired in the summer.

The Mahoning County Bar Association and others support the move.