OLBC members outraged by DeWine administration's lack of response to COVID-19 racial disparities
COLUMBUS— Ohio Legislative Black Caucus President State Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) today issued a statement following Governor Mike DeWine’s announcement today regarding next steps with the Minority Health Strike Force.
“African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and other people of color in Ohio do not need recommendations, they need action and dedicated resources to reverse the irreplaceable harm racism has induced on minorities,” said Rep. Howse. “Anything short of direct action is a disgrace and a clear message that our black and brown families and communities are not valued during these unprecedented times.”
The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) first called on Governor DeWine to address racial and ethnic disparities in the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in a letter from April 15. The letter contained several key steps the group believed needed to be implemented immediately, broken down into health, housing, education, employment, criminal justice and economic and business development policy areas.
* Editor’s note: The April 15 OLBC letter to the governor is attached.
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