Johnathan Newman News

Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) voted in favor of Substitute House Bill (HB) 169 to appropriate $4.18 billion to support education, expand access to childcare and improve public health, among other investments in Ohio’s working people, families and communities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill is funded through several federal COVID-19 relief packages, the majority of which comes from the American Rescue Plan Act backed by Democrats and signed into law by President Biden earlier this year.

Today, Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) announced today that the Ohio Legislative Service Commission is accepting applications for its 13-month Legislative and Media Production Fellowship Program. The Commission will hire 24 fellows to work with members of the Ohio General Assembly during 2022.

State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) issued a statement today after Senate Bill (SB) 157, the latest Republican anti-abortion bill, passed the Ohio House on a party line vote. Opponents say SB 157 would patients in danger by interfering with the ability for doctors and patients to make appropriate and life-saving medical decisions if faced with a medical crisis during pregnancy.

COLUMBUS- State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) today announced he will be introducing emergency legislation with Rep. Brett Hudson Hillyer (R-Uhrichsville) that would allow any student currently working on or making progress towards a high school credit during the 2020-2021 school year to use the 2021-2022 school year as a supplemental year to retake or supplement courses the student already has taken.

State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) issued the following statement after former Franklin County Sheriff’s office deputy Jason Meade was indicted on murder charges for the fatal shooting of Casey Goodson Jr. in December 2020. 

State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) joined Democrats in opposing a Republican resolution that would urge Congress not to pass HR 1, the For the People Act, federal pro-voter legislation that would protect the freedom to vote, prevent billionaires from buying influence in elections, and make sure voting options are equally accessible across all 50 states.

Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) announced that the state Controlling Board approved several items of note this week, including $39 million to cover the administrative costs of running the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Unemployment Insurance programs.

State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) today called on the House Criminal Justice Committee to hold legislative hearings on House Bill 367, known as Andre’s Law, which would require the use of body-worn cameras and dashboard cameras by peace officers, among other changes to increase transparency and accountability for police in Ohio.