Representative Thomas West - District 49

COLUMBUS—Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) members today held a press conference at the Ohio Statehouse to commemorate Juneteenth and provide updates on legislation that builds up Black families in Ohio. 

The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) today issued the following statements from State Reps. Thomas West (D-Canton), Phil Robinson (D-Solon), and Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) condemning House Bills (HB) 322 and 327, legislation to restrict schools from teaching or advocating certain so-called divisive concepts:

Rep. Thomas E. West (D-Canton) 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.

Today, Rep. Thomas West (D-Canton) 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.