Democratic News

Today, Ohio House Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair and State Rep. Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) and State Rep. Connie Pillich (D-Montgomery) reflected on and celebrated national Women’s Equality Day.

State Representative Matt Lundy (D-Elyria) on Monday introduced House Bill 609, legislation prohibiting predatory auto-title lending in Ohio. 

State Rep. Chris Redfern (D-Catawba Island) today called on Gov. Kasich to remove the new Ohio Health Department Director, Rick Hodges, citing the need to have a department leader with experience in dealing with public health emergencies, like the water crisis in Toledo.

Hodges, the former Executive Director of the Ohio Turnpike, has no training or experience in healthcare-related fields—a qualification Redfern says is explicitly required by state law.

“The drinking water crisis in Toledo highlights how important it is to have a seasoned healthcare professional leading the state's response to public health emergencies. With 500,000 Ohioans in need in need of safe and reliable drinking water, it is discomforting to know that the new leader of the state’s public health agency, former Turnpike Director Rick Hodges, has no medical training or experience in healthcare,” Redfern wrote in the letter.

Redfern’s legislative district includes the western basin of Lake Erie. 

A copy of the letter can be seen below.

State Rep. Mike Sheehy (D-Oregon) will again propose legislation to help reduce toxic algal bloom growths in Lake Erie, following this weekend’s water crisis affecting over 400,000 in Northwest Ohio.