POLITICS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE By Senator Charleta B. Tavares (Ret.) The 134rd Ohio General Assembly commenced in January 2021. As noted in last month’s Columbus/Dayton African American the new Session brought in new leadership in the Ohio House and Senate, as well as the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC). The first year of the new 2-year General Assembly (GA) will focus on passing a twoyear State Operating, Transportation, and Workers Compensation budgets. We will focus on these major budgets along with sponsored and passed legislation that are of particular interest to our African American communities. The Legislative Update is focused on educating and empowering our African American people specifically and communities of color generally with information in order to advocate for the policies, funding and programs that will improve economic/employment, business, health, education, housing, justice and environment for our residents. The Sessions of the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate can be viewed live or recorded after each Chamber’s Session date on the Ohio Channel www.ohiochannel. org. Ohio House Session Schedule – February 2021 Wednesday, February 3, 2021 1:00 PM Wednesday, February 10, 2021 1:00 PM Wednesday, February 17, 2021 1:00 PM Thursday, February 18, 2021 1:00 PM Wednesday, February 24, 2021 1:00 PM Thursday, February 25, 2021 1:00 PM Ohio Senate Session Schedule – February 2021 Wednesday, February 3, 2021 1:30PM Wednesday, February 10, 2021 1:30PM Wednesday, February 17, 2021 1:30PM Wednesday, February 24, 2021 1:30PM New African American Members The 134th General Assembly elected two new African American members in the Ohio
House of Representatives, Representatives legislators on commonsense legislation to Willis Blackshear, Jr. (D-Dayton) and make Ohio a better place to live, work, go to Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus). school, start a business or raise a family. Rep. Willis Blackshear, Jr.
These two new members join the other sixteen members of OLBC. The eighteen A D a y t o n - a r e a n a t i v e , members of OLBC will be highlighted with Rep. Blackshear serves his their legislative agendas and sponsored h o m e t o w n r e p r e s e n t i n g legislation in future additions of the CAANJ. the 39th House District. The district includes most Ohio Legislative Black Caucus of Dayton and Jefferson Township. He Founded in 1967 by former Representative formerly served as an outreach specialist at C.J. McLin, Jr., is the oldest legislative Black the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office Caucus in the United States. and earned his BA in Political Science from President – Representative Thomas West Wright State University in Dayton. (D-Canton)* 1st Vice Pres. – Representative Juanita Brent Representative Blackshear is prioritizing (D-Cleveland)* ways to reinvest in area neighborhoods and Second Vice Pres. – Representative Catherine communities, bring tax dollars back to the Ingram (D-Cinc.) district and put more money back in the Treasurer – Representative Erica Crawley pockets of Ohio taxpayers. As a Democrat (D-Cols.) he plans to work across the aisle with Sergeant-at-Arms – Senator Hearcel Craig Republicans to invest in public education, (D-Cols.) expand access to early learning opportunities and ensure a quality education for every Ohio Secretary – Representative Sedrick Denson (D-Cinc.) student regardless of where they live. Parliamentarian – Senator Vernon Sykes Rep. Blackshear is also committed to (D-Akron) listening to the vast majority of Ohioans who want more—not less—gun safety measures, If you are interested in testifying on any of the and supports passing commonsense gun bills introduced in either the House or Senate, safety legislation to keep children and please contact the chair of the committee who can be found at www.ohiosenate.gov or communities safe. www.ohr.gov. Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells Additional Contacts Rep. Jarrells represents the UPDATE: The Ohio General Assembly 25th District which includes s e s s i o n s a n d t h e H o u s e a n d S e n a t e p o r t i o n s o f C o l u m b u s Committees are televised live on WOSU/ (northeast), Clinton and WPBO and replays can be viewed at www. Mifflin Townships. He is a ohiochannel.org (specific House and Senate native of Cleveland, Ohio where he graduated sessions and committee hearings can be from East Technical High School and earned searched in the video archives). a degree from Hiram College in Northeast Ohio. If you would like to receive updated information on the Ohio General Assembly Rep. Jarrells’ legislative priorities include and policy initiatives introduced, call or email legislation to raise wages, invest in job your state Representative or Senator. The training and make it easier for Ohioans, committee schedules, full membership rosters especially those in minority and immigrant and contact information for the Ohio House communities, to start, grow and sustain a and Senate can be found at www.ohiohouse. business, expand early childhood education, gov and www.ohiosenate.gov respectively. improve literacy initiatives, support STEM programs for Ohio students, and promote F o r m e r S e n . C h a r l e t a B . T a v a r e s , opportunities in the skilled trades. In D-Columbus, is the 1st Democrat and African addition he supports the Ohio Fairness American woman to serve in the Ohio House Act, community policing initiatives and of Representatives and the Ohio Senate from measures to improve the care and supports Franklin County. She is also the first African for individuals with mental illness, substance American woman to serve in leadership in the use disorders, and those experiencing history of Ohio and the 1st Democrat woman homelessness. to serve in leadership in both the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate As a longtime advocate for building better (House Minority Whip and Senate Assistant communities, he plans to work with other Minority Leader).
The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015
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The Columbus & Dayton African American • February 2021
