State Sen. Lou Gentile didn't mince words: 2013 will be a very important year for the Ohio Valley. This year, education funding, money for local governments, and taxes on oil and gas producers could have a dramatic effect on our area.

With a trip to Columbus on his mind, Gentile made a quick stop at our station for a quick conversation about what lies ahead for Ohio's Legislature in 2013.

But he wasn't about to discuss his next swearing-in ceremony.

"I look at this as a great opportunity for eastern Ohio to have a voice in Columbus that they can rely on and I'm honored and humbled that they've given (me) the opportunity to be that voice," said Gentile.

Gentile says the budget is balanced but like many representatives in eastern Ohio, he would like to see the money spent differently.

"I think many of us are going to be pushing for relief of our local governments. Right here in the Ohio Valley we know that our local governments have struggled to maintain critical safety services and we don't want to see additional layoffs," said Gentile.

But police, firefighters and service workers, many of whom have been affected in Mingo Junction and Steubenville, aren't the only concern for the Ohio Valley.

Gentile believes our state representatives can make a difference for school districts that are struggling financially.

"We want to do everything we can," said Gentile. "I think in Legislature, both the administration and the Legislature to come together and finally solve this issue and move away from our over-reliance on property taxes as a way to fund our schools."

Gentile says those two key issues are something he and many other political figures in the Ohio Valley agree on.

He is also focused on a severance tax that would target oil and gas producers. He wants to make sure the tax doesn't hurt Eastern Ohio's growth and its landowners.