Mary Lightbody News

Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) announced that the state Controlling Board approved several items of note this week, including the allocation of more than $74 million to support Ohio’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. $11.9 million will be spent on distributing vaccines, $24.1 million will be spent on contact tracing, and $38.3 million will be spent on testing. The Controlling Board additionally approved the release of more than $17 million for testing in Ohio’s prisons.

COLUMBUS –Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) announced today that the state Controlling Board approved several items of note this week, including the allocation of more than $7 million in CARES Act funds. The assistance from the federal government will enhance the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections’ COVID-19 testing and contact tracing, and pay DRC employees with a hazardous duty supplement. Additionally, The CARES Act funding will provide needed support for Ohio’s National Guard and State Defense Force members who are supporting the state’s COVID-19 response. The item also included $25.5 million for the Department of Education to provide grants for schools and $500,000 for the Department of Developmental Disabilities.

Today, Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) 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.

COLUMBUS— Today, State Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) applauded the announcement by the U.S. Treasury Department that beginning on July 15, 39 million families across the country will receive monthly child payments.

COLUMBUS— Today, State Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) recognized May as “Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness Month” in Ohio. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. 

COLUMBUS— Today,  State Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville), Secretary of the Ohio Democratic Women’s Legislative Caucus (ODWLC), helped plan and participated in the virtual Women’s Lobby Day. The virtual event gathered participants from across the state to discuss policy solutions to challenges Ohio women and families face.

COLUMBUS—State Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville)’s House Bill (HB) 111 to alter the use of handheld electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle received a first hearing in the House Transportation and Public Safety Committee today. HB 111 was previously introduced in the 133rd General Assembly as HB 468 where it received two hearings. 

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) today announced that House Bill (HB) 167, COVID-19 relief legislation that will deliver $465 million in direct aid for rent and utility assistance, was signed into law. House Democrats have called for rent and utility relief since the onset of the pandemic, introducing bills that would have created a program for immediate rental assistance, postponed evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 pandemic, and prevented utility shutoffs during an emergency.

COLUMBUS— State Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) issued a statement today applauding the passage of House Bill (HB) 2, a long-held Democratic priority that would create the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Program, specifically designed to bring broadband access to unserved residential households in both rural and urban areas of the state. The bill funds $20 million in grants for this year. 

State Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) 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.