Tavia Galonski News

In a memo* Tuesday, Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) called on Gov. DeWine to veto several state budget provisions she says fail to meet the expectations of Ohioans as the state begins to emerge and build back from the pandemic. 

COLUMBUS—Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron), Ranking Member on the House Civil Justice Committee, today voted in opposition alongside her Democratic colleagues to the committee passage of House Bill (HB) 286, which would allow for a change in jurisdiction for certain public corruption cases from the Franklin County Prosecutor to the defendant’s county of residence. 

Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) announced today 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.

Democratic lawmakers on the House Civil Justice Committee, including Ranking Member Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron), Rep. Jeffrey A. Crossman (D-Parma) and Rep. David Leland (D-Columbus), Tuesday voted in opposition to an amendment to House Bill 286 that would allow for a change in jurisdiction for certain public corruption cases from the Franklin County Prosecutor to the defendant’s county of residence. 

COLUMBUS— State Representative Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) voted no on an amendment to House Bill 286 today in Civil Justice Committee. HB 286 would change the venue for appeals from an agency order to the local court of common pleas for the business filing the appeal. Amendment AM_134_1342 would change the jurisdiction for offenses against the public administration. Currently, the Franklin County Prosecutor is in charge of prosecuting these cases. This amendment would allow for the defendant to have the case tried in the county of the offender’s residence. 

Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) voted in opposition Wednesday to House Bill (HB) 157, legislation that would prohibit the collection of income taxes from workers who aren’t physically in an office inside the city or village limits. 

Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) 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.

Democratic lawmakers walked out of the House Government Oversight Committee Thursday after the Republican chairman threatened to cut off testimony on House Bill 294, anti-voter legislation that would roll back ballot access and intentionally make the process more confusing for voters. 

COLUMBUS— State Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) announced today that House Bill (HB) 2, a long-held Democratic priority that creates the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Program, was signed into law. The program is 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. 

COLUMBUS- State Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) 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.