Rep. Phil Robinson holds first of four Ohio Promise Town Halls
State Rep. Phil Robinson (D-Solon) yesterday evening held a community town hall in Solon with Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) 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.
“It’s important as an elected official I make myself available for questions and comments to the constituents of the district,” said Rep. Robinson. “We had great turnout at this first town hall, and I look forward to the next three this month.”
Solon Mayor Eddie Kraus kicked off the event with an introduction of Rep. Robinson. The town hall followed with Leader Sykes explaining the Ohio Promise and Rep. Robinson following with a legislative update, discussing the state operating budget and how it impacts House District 6, and his policy priorities in education, workforce development, and gun safety reform. The event concluded with an open forum to allow constituents to ask questions and identify community concerns that can be addressed by state government.
The town hall was well received with over 50 constituents in attendance. Audience members in Solon wanted to know about the FirstEnergy bailout under HB 6, taking legislative action in the wake of the Dayton mass shooting, state taxes, school funding, and many other issues.
The recently passed state budget was also a major topic of conversation as Rep. Robinson 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 District 6 and Democratic budget wins include:
- Increasing the Local Government Fund by $5 million and making more funds available to smaller cities and villages with populations under 50,000, which qualifies all 18 communities in House District 6.
- Investing in education, with a 4.8 percent increase in funding for public school districts and more than $650 million in wraparound services, which include innovative and collaborative ways to support our children and give them the tools they need to succeed.
- Raising the minimum wage for direct service employees base salary of teachers with bachelor’s degrees, strengthening Ohio’s promise that if you work hard, you can get ahead.
- Making college more affordable by increasing funding for Ohio’s College Opportunity Grants for low-income students.
- Putting more money back in the pockets of hardworking Ohioans by passing a tax cut for working people and middle class families.
- Passing a moratorium on Ohio’s failed state-takeovers of public schools.
- Increased funding for the Public Library Fund, Public Defenders, Rape Crisis Centers, and other great programs.
Rep. Robinson has another three town halls this month, including one today at the Lyndhurst Community Center at 6:30 p.m. Next week, the town halls will occur on August 20 at the Chagrin Falls Public Library and August 22 at the Brecksville Community Center with both starting at 6:30 p.m.
Rep. Robinson represents Ohio’s 6th House District, which includes Bentleyville, Brecksville, Broadview Heights, Chagrin Falls, Chagrin Falls Township, Gates Mills, Glenwillow, Highland Heights, Hunting Valley, Independence, Lyndhurst, Mayfield Village, Moreland Hills, Oakwood, Seven Hills, Solon, Valley View, and Walton Hills.