Willis E. Blackshear, Jr. News

COLUMBUS - Today State Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown) and Democratic members of the Ohio House of Representatives Commerce and Labor Committee issued statements after being denied answers to questions on HB 466, legislation that would cap staffing agency charges to nursing homes and significantly increase Medicaid payments for Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) using COVID relief dollars.

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Willis Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) today issued a statement following the horrific elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, which reportedly killed 19 children and two teachers.

COLUMBUS– State Reps. Willis Blackshear (D-Dayton) and Kent Smith (D-Euclid) yesterday gave sponsor testimony before the House State and Local Government Committee on House Bill (HB) 331, which would require certain law enforcement officers to wear a clearly visible badge and identification while on duty. 

COLUMBUS – State Reps. Willis Blackshear (D- Dayton) and Andrea White (R-Kettering) have introduced the Neighborhood Protection Act, a bill designed to make it easier for interested parties to have the tools they need to effectively rebuild their communities.  

COLUMBUS– Today, State Rep. Willis Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) was appointed to fill vacancies on the Finance Committee and the Subcommittee of Health and Human Services.

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: