Rep. Phil Robinson holds four Ohio Promise Town Halls in August

State Rep. Phil Robinson (D-Solon) held his fourth town hall in August Thursday evening as part of the Ohio Promise Town Hall Tour, a statewide legislative town hall series hosted by House Democratic members. The purpose of the tour is to hear from constituents in their districts about their most pressing concerns, answer questions, and discuss the state budget, bipartisan priorities, and a number of recent Democratic-led, legislative wins for working people and families.

“It was important for me to present my constituents with what was going on at the Statehouse, but even more important for me to give them a chance to ask me questions and hold me accountable as their representative,” said Rep. Robinson. “We had great turnout and I look forward to eventually doing a town hall in each community in House District 6.”

The four town halls took place in Solon, Lyndhurst, Chagrin Falls and Brecksville between August 13 and August 22. Robinson was introduced by local elected officials of both parties at each event, including Solon Mayor Eddie Kraus, Lyndhurst Mayor Patrick Ward, Chagrin Falls Mayor Bill Tomko and Brecksville Councilman-At-Large Jack Petsche.

Rep. Robinson kicked off each event with a legislative update, discussing the state operating budget, how it impacts House District 6 and his policy priorities in education, workforce development, and gun safety reform. The events concluded with open forums to allow constituents to ask questions of Rep. Robinson and identify community concerns that can be addressed by state government. Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) also attended and answered questions in Solon.

Audience members wanted to know about many issues, including the FirstEnergy bailout, taking legislative action in the wake of the Dayton mass shooting, state taxes, school funding, Medicaid and healthcare issues, vocational job training, women’s choice issues, gerrymandering and election reform. Over 120 constituents attended all four town halls.

The recently passed state budget was also a major topic of conversation as Rep. Robinson detailed the process itself as well as a number of state budget provisions House Democrats fought for that seek to strengthen local communities and put people first.

Some notable Democratic budget wins for the sixth House district include:

• Increased the Local Government Fund by $5 million, making more funds available to smaller cities and villages with populations under 50,000, including all 18 communities in House District 6.
• Investing in education, with a 4.8 percent increase in funding for public school districts and more than $650 million in wraparound services, which include innovative and collaborative ways to support our children and give them the tools they need to succeed.
• Raising the minimum wage for direct service employees and the base salary of teachers with bachelor’s degrees, strengthening Ohio’s promise that if you work hard, you can get ahead.
• Making college more affordable by increasing funding for Ohio’s College Opportunity Grants for low-income students.
• Putting more money back in the pockets of hardworking Ohioans by passing a tax cut for working people and middle class families.
• Passing a moratorium on Ohio’s failed state takeovers of public schools.
• Increased funding for state programs such as the Public Library Fund, public defenders and rape crisis centers.

Rep. Robinson represents Ohio’s sixth House district, which includes Bentleyville, Brecksville, Broadview Heights, Chagrin Falls, Chagrin Falls Township, Gates Mills, Glenwillow, Highland Heights, Hunting Valley, Independence, Lyndhurst, Mayfield Village, Moreland Hills, Oakwood, Seven Hills, Solon, Valley View and Walton Hills.