Rep. Sean Brennan Expresses Disappointment in Ohio Supreme Court and Governor's Decision, Calls for Greater Compassion for Working Families

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D–Parma) today expressed sadness and disappointment over the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision and Governor DeWine’s position regarding relief for Ohioans who suffered financial losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that the consequences for working families deserve greater consideration.

“I am saddened and disappointed that, in an economy where so many Ohioans are still struggling to make ends meet, the Ohio Supreme Court and Governor DeWine have not demonstrated greater empathy for single mothers, hardworking families, and individuals who suffered financial hardship during the pandemic.

When the state shut down businesses, countless Ohioans lost income through no fault of their own. For many families, those losses meant missed paychecks, depleted savings, mounting bills, and difficult choices about how to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. Those families cannot simply go back in time and recover the wages they lost. For some, the financial consequences have been permanent.

We should be asking ourselves a fundamental question: Where is the compassion for the people who did everything right, worked hard, raised their children, and struggled to keep their families afloat during an unprecedented public health crisis?

I am hopeful that Ohio’s next governor will revisit this issue and give these families the consideration and fairness they deserve. Government should recognize the real-world consequences of its decisions, particularly when those decisions affect people who have the fewest resources to absorb a financial setback.

I also hope Ohioans are paying attention. This is another example of a system that too often allows those with wealth and influence to protect their interests while working-class families are left to shoulder the burden. The wealthy generally have more resources, more financial flexibility, and more opportunities to recover from economic hardship. A single mother working two jobs or a family living paycheck to paycheck does not have those same advantages.

As a former public school teacher and longtime public servant, I believe that government must stand up for ordinary Ohioans, not just those who can afford to weather a crisis. We should be working to build an economy in which hard work is rewarded, families have a fair opportunity to get ahead, and people who suffer through circumstances beyond their control are treated with dignity and compassion.

Ohio’s working families deserve better, and I will continue advocating for policies that put people ahead of powerful special interests.”