About Matt Dolan
Matt Dolan asks his constituents, “How can I help you?” He believes this simple question is the essence of his public service to the residents of his Northeast Ohio Senate 24th district and the people of Ohio, to both listen and act.
As chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, Dolan has worked on the issues that matter to his constituents. His most recent Ohio operating budget included record-breaking tax cuts for all Ohioans. The Ohio Republican Party labeled his effort “the most conservative budget in Ohio legislative history.” He also authored and passed a bill allowing pharmacists to better serve patients, reduce health care costs and mitigate opiate addictions, which is now Ohio law. He also passed a law to strengthen criminal laws against human trafficking and give police more resources to catch these evil people who exploit women and children.
Dolan also knows that quality of life matters to Ohioans, whether it is a cleaner Lake Erie and waterways or gun safety to reduce violence or to support seniors and the most vulnerable citizens. Dolan was the sponsor and chief advocate of the Great Lakes Compact formed with Canada and states on the Great Lakes to protect the world’s largest source of fresh water.
Senator Dolan pushed for funding for a “Path for Success” for 2 and 4- year education to create a skilled workforce at every level. He championed increases in primary and secondary education. His goal is to encourage innovation and technology to bring and retain jobs and to work with labor and business owners to put people to work.
Besides the Finance Committee that shapes Ohio’s budget, Dolan is a member of Insurance, Rules & Reference, Ways and Means, and Energy & Public Utilities committees. Dolan has advocated for clean and affordable energy, cutting unnecessary rules and regulations that hurt small businesses, and safety in schools.
Senator Dolan’s background in the private and public sectors is extensive as well as diverse. He is currently a partner at the law firm Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dolan and is Vice President of 7th Avenue Properties, where he manages several area businesses as well as real estate properties. He has been an adjunct professor at the Case Western Reserve School of Law and Kent State University’s Geauga Campus.
He is a former Chief Assistant Prosecutor for Geauga County and Assistant Attorney General for the State of Ohio. In one case that Dolan prosecuted, the defense attorney characterized him as “one of the nicest, meanest guys I’ve ever met” following a criminal trial.
Senator Dolan previously served three terms in the Ohio House of Representatives, which included parts of Cuyahoga County and Geauga County. While in the House, he served as Chairman of the Finance and Appropriations Committee and worked with Republicans and Democrats to pass a near unanimous $54 billion budget that lowered taxes and reduced the size of government. He made significant contributions in the area of tax reform, spearheading a campaign that resulted in legislation reducing the kilowatt-hour tax and supporting tax credits that stimulate business growth.
Senator Dolan is active in the community, having served on several boards, including the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, LifeAct, and the Rio Grande University Board of Trustees. He also sat on the Case Western Reserve University Advisory Committee and the Cleveland Foodbank Strategic Planning Committee. He is a member of the Cleveland City Club and the Cleveland Council on World Affairs.
When he is not working for his constituents in Columbus, you can find Matt reading and exploring the outdoors with his wife Jessica, playing just about any sport with Sam and Maddox, and of course, rooting for the Cleveland Guardians.
Education
Boston College, A.B. History
Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D.
Recent Professional/Personal Associations
American Red Cross-Cleveland Chapter, Board Member
Cleveland Council of World Affairs, Member
CWRU Government Advisory Group, Member
Cleveland City Club, Member
Aspen Institute, Rodell Fellow (2011)
Strategic Planning Committee Cleveland Food Bank
Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Board Member
Rio Grande University, Board Member
Cleveland State University Foundation Board, Board Member
Suicide Prevention Education Alliance, Board of Trustees