Rep. Denson, House Dems slam GOP lawmakers for refusing to fund absentee ballot postage ahead of November election, urge Sec. LaRose to take action

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Sedrick Denson (D-Cincinnati) and House Democrats slammed GOP lawmakers on the Controlling Board Monday for refusing to approve funds to cover the cost of absentee ballot postage for Ohio voters ahead of the November election.

“One of the easiest things we can do as a legislature is to make voting accessible. It is shameful that some of my colleagues want to make voting complicated for Ohioans,” said Rep. Denson (D-Cincinnati).

While Republican members on the Controlling Board voted down the request for prepaid postage funding, lawmakers approved a number of other significant items Monday:

• $2 million in previously allocated funds to the Development Services Agency for the Minority Business Enterprise Loan program;
• $34.8 million to from the federal CARES Act to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to expand COVID-19 testing and other safety measures in prisons;
• $36.8 million in previously allocated funds to the Bureau of Worker’ Compensation for the continued purchasing of face coverings for Ohio workers.

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