Rep. Russo, House Dems: Ohioans facing uncertainty amid unprecedented crises demand change
COLUMBUS- State Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) and Ohio House Democrats today announced the end of their Ohio Promise Virtual Town Hall Tour, which comprised of more than two-dozen virtual town halls since June on topics including COVID-19, jobs and the economy, racial justice, gun safety and voting access. Across the state, over 20,000 Ohioans tuned in to these town halls to hear from their elected officials and ask questions.
Rep. Russo hosted three town halls: one on July 14 to discuss public health, education, and unemployment; one on July 22 to discuss racism and equality; and one on August 27 to address campaign finance and voting. Recordings of her town halls may be found at facebook.com/ohiohousedems.
“The urgent economic and public health issues our communities face aren’t taking a break, and neither should we,” said Rep. Russo. “I am committed to working hard on meaningful solutions that will help our neighbors recover, and these important conversations with local leaders and constituents will get us there together and stronger.”
The Ohio House returned to session on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and House Democrats were ready to address the rent and mortgage crisis, unemployment compensation and recovery for both COVID-19 and the economic crisis that has followed. However, Speaker Robert Cupp (R-Lima) and House Republicans brought no relevant bills to the floor. This was the first time the Ohio House had convened in over a month.
When Democrats readied to offer several amendments that would have repealed House Bill (HB) 6, the $2 billion corporate bailout tied to an ongoing FBI investigation into an alleged $60 million scheme to pass the bill, Speaker Cupp abruptly ended House session rather than hear the Democratic amendments. Former Speaker Larry Householder, who was present during the September 1 session and voting on legislation, has been arrested and indicted for his role in the alleged corruption scheme.
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