Willis E. Blackshear, Jr. News

Yesterday, Rep. Willis Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) voted in favor of Substitute House Bill (HB) 169 to appropriate $4.18 billion to support education, expand access to childcare and improve public health, among other investments in Ohio’s working people, families and communities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill is funded through several federal COVID-19 relief packages, the majority of which comes from the American Rescue Plan Act backed by Democrats and signed into law by President Biden earlier this year.

COLUMBUS– State Rep. Willis Blackshear (D-Dayton) today announced the Ohio House passage of House Bill (HB) 340, which would designate September as “International Underground Railroad Month” to honor the history of Ohioans who contributed to the Underground Railroad’s mission of justice for enslaved people.

COLUMBUS —State Rep. Willis Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) today issued a statement as Republicans passed a partisan, four-year congressional district map that unduly favors GOP candidates 13-2. 

State Rep. Willis Blackshear (D-Dayton) provided sponsor testimony today before the Ohio House State and Local Government Committee on House Bill (HB) 340, which seeks to designate September as the "International Underground Railroad Month." Rep. Blackshear is a joint sponsor of HB 340 with Rep. Adam Bird (R- New Richmond).  HB 340 seeks to recognize Ohio’s involvement in the abolitionist movement by honoring the abolitionists and freedom seekers who risked their lives fighting for equality. Following sponsor testimony, the House State and Local Government Committee unanimously passed HB 340.

State Rep. Willis Blackshear (D-Dayton) will host three constituent days in the month of October. Constituents can come to discuss any issues that they might have directly with the representative. Masks will need to be worn at every meeting location. The meetings will be held on the following dates and locations:  

Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) President Rep. Thomas West (D-Canton) and State Rep. Willis Blackshear (D-Dayton) today issued statements following a recent interaction where Dayton Police dragged a paraplegic Black man from his car and threw him on the road during a routine traffic stop in Dayton. The Dayton Police Department has opened an investigation into the incident. 

COLUMBUS– State Rep. Blackshear (D- Dayton) today announced the introduction of the Neighborhood Protection Act, which would require vacant property owners to file contact information with the County Auditor’s office. Vacant property owners in counties with a population larger than 200,000 would be required to provide contact information to the County Auditor’s office or be penalized with a tax lien. This bill would make it easier to contact vacant property owners for property maintenance issues and sales opportunities. 

State Rep. Willis Blackshear (D-Dayton) issued a statement Wednesday on the second anniversary of the shooting in Dayton’s Oregon District, which killed 9 and injured 17 others the night of August 4, 2019. Ohioans rallied together in the wake of the shooting, urging the governor and state lawmakers to “do something” to address gun violence in Ohio communities. 

COLUMBUS– State Reps. Upchurch (D-Cleveland) and Willis Blackshear (D- Dayton) today announced the Ohio House passage of House Bill (HB) 137, which would designate March 29 as “Ohio Tuskegee Airmen Day” to honor the legacy and history of the service members that served as Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. 

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Willis Blackshear (D-Dayton) today announced that House Bill (HB) 167, COVID-19 relief legislation that will deliver $465 million in direct aid for rent and utility assistance, was signed into law. House Democrats have called for rent and utility relief since the onset of the pandemic, introducing bills that would have created a program for immediate rental assistance, postponed evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 pandemic, and prevented utility shutoffs during an emergency.