Rep. Juanita Brent holds Ohio Promise Town Hall
State Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) held a community town hall Thursday 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.
“I am thrilled with the turnout of the Ohio Promise Town Hall in Orange Village. It was a full house with representation from all of the ten cities in Ohio House District 12. To receive such a high level of engagement from the large audience was refreshing,” said Rep. Brent. “I am constantly trying to improve as a legislator, and one way of doing that is to listen to what my constituents have to say. The goal of this Ohio Promise Town Hall was not only to inform my constituents about what is taking place at the Statehouse, but also listen to and address their questions and concerns. I believe we achieved that goal, and I will take their feedback with me to Columbus.”
Rep. Brent kicked off the event with a legislative update, discussing recently-passed legislation that invests in job training programs to prepare Ohio workers to compete for tomorrow’s jobs today, connects kinship caregivers with critical resources and aims to improve the health of mothers and babies. The event included an open forum to allow constituents to ask questions and identify community concerns that can be addressed by state government. Audience members in Orange Village wanted to know about many topics, including gun safety legislation, reproductive rights of women and how to maintain a lead safe home.
The recently passed state budget was also a major topic of conversation as Brent 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 Cuyahoga County include:
— $58,000 for the city of Maple Heights to invest in the Maple Heights Aquatic Facility.
— $1.6 million in state funding for early stage tech entrepreneurs (North Coast Angel Fund in Mayfield Heights).
— Fought for line item veto of a provision within state budget that would have taken approximately $6 million from Orange City School District funds.
— $70,720 to fund psychiatric care for Warrensville Development Center.
— $2 million over the biennium to create lead safety pilot program with the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition.
— $125,000 to Seeds of Literacy program in Cleveland to provide free basic education and GED prep for adults.
— $290,000 to Cleveland State University Sullivan-Deckard and Helen Packer Scholars Program to provide tuition and wrap-around services to young adults aged out of foster care.
Rep. Brent represents Ohio’s 12th House district, which includes ten cities in Cuyahoga County, including Bedford, Bedford Heights, Cleveland Ward 1, Highland Hills, Maple Heights, Mayfield Heights, North Randall, Orange, Pepper Pike and Warrensville Heights.