C. Allison Russo News

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington), Ranking Member on the House Health Committee, and Rep. Beth Liston (D-Dublin) issued statements today after Republicans forced the House Health Committee passage of House Bill (HB) 435, anti-vaccine legislation that would expand exemptions for students and public or private employees required to get the COVID-19 vaccine. HB 435 would also grant corporations partial legal immunity from COVID-19 related law suits. The bill was passed along party lines with no opportunity for proponent or opponent testimony. 

State Rep. Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus) and Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) called for action on  House Bill (HB) 199, their legislation to prevent victims of rape or assault from being denied full compensation of their damages awarded by a jury, after a federal judge Wednesday dismissed all outstanding Strauss abuse cases against Ohio State University, citing the expired statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims. 

Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) announced today that the state Controlling Board approved several items of note this week, including the allocation of  $175.3 million in federal funds to improve the processing of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claims to support Ohioans who lost their jobs during the pandemic through no fault of their own.

COLUMBUS — State Reps. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) and Beth Liston (D-Dublin) issued statements today after the Ohio House Health Committee held another hearing for House Bill 248, controversial anti-vaccine legislation that would prohibit schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and all other employers from requiring or requesting that employees get any vaccine. HB 248 would also prohibit colleges and universities from requiring that students living on-campus disclose their vaccination status and forbid private businesses from requiring that customers receive any vaccine.

State Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) announced that monthly Child Tax Credit payments will begin to be dispersed today, July 15. The American Rescue Plan increased the Child Tax Credit up to $3,000 per year, or $250 per month, for families whose children are between 6-17 years old and up to $3,600 per year, or $300 per month,  for families with children under 6 years old. Most families will automatically receive monthly payments without having to take any action.

COLUMBUS — State Reps. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) and Beth Liston (D-Dublin) issued statements today after Gov. DeWine signed House Bill (HB) 244 into law. Originally introduced in March 2021 as a bill regarding education for military families, Republicans added an amendment to HB 244 that will prohibit public schools or universities from requiring any vaccine has not received full authorization from the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All the COVID-19 vaccines currently in use in the U.S. have been granted emergency, but not full, approval.  Full approval is anticipated in the coming months.

COLUMBUS –Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) announced today that the state Controlling Board approved several items of note this week, including the allocation of more than $19 billion to be distributed over the next two years to support education in Ohio under the new Fair School Funding formula.

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today announced her appointment as Ranking Member to the Ohio Health Oversight and Advisory Committee.  Established by Senate Bill 22, which went into effect June 23, 2021 and passed notwithstanding the objections of the governor, the committee is authorized to oversee actions taken by the governor, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), or any agency in response to a state of emergency; as well as to consult with and advise the governor, ODH or other agencies during a state of emergency.  The committee is also authorized to oversee actions taken by ODH and the Director of Health for the prevention of disease spread or the controlling of the cause of disease.

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today announced the unanimous House passage of House Bill (HB) 83, a bipartisan bill introduced with Rep. Susan Manchester (R-Waynesfield) that would establish a clear, consistent process across the state for Child Support Enforcement Agencies (CSEAs) to investigate the potential establishment and/or redirection of child support for cases involving third-party caretakers. 

State Reps. Beth Liston (D-Dublin) and Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) issued statements today after House Republicans voted to add an anti-vaccine provision to an unrelated bill, Senate Bill 111, legislation to direct $844 million in federal coronavirus relief to Ohio communities. The extreme amendment would prohibit public and private entities from requiring COVID-19 vaccines.