Amid partisan legislative shutdown, Brown urges consensus building, cooperation to fulfill promises to taxpayers

State Rep. Richard D. Brown (D-Canal Winchester) today questioned the majority caucus leadership for again cancelling session and allowing their internal strife to close the Ohio House for business.

“I am deeply concerned that internal Statehouse politics has been allowed to get in the way of the legislative process,” said Brown.

The Ohio House Republican leadership has thus far been unable to coalesce behind a candidate for Speaker after former Speaker Cliff Rosenberger resigned due to an FBI inquiry.

“Dozens of bills are awaiting a floor vote and hundreds more are creating a legislative backlog. It is time that we get back to doing the people’s work,” Brown said.

Among the bills that have been stalled are Brown’s bi-partisan House Bill 646, which would increase penalties for drivers who illegally pass school buses. The bill is currently awaiting committee assignment.

Brown also was concerned that House Republican leadership has ignored a viable option to end the impasse and placed politics over quickly putting an end to this crisis.

“If the majority cannot coalesce around a candidate for Speaker and provide at least 50 votes for said candidate, then they need to allow a full vote of the House so we can get back to work for the people,” Brown said.

Brown is urging his constituents to continue to contact his office as they normally would. Despite the legislative slowdown, Rep. Brown’s office will still provide constituent support and will continue to field constituent calls.