Richard D. Brown News

COLUMBUS— As many Ohioans will be called back to work in May, many will be faced with very difficult decisions related to work, health and family as this ongoing pandemic continues: how to return to work when you have children at home and no one to care for them with daycares and schools closed; how to keep those high-risk individuals who will remain quarantined safe when workers return home; and what protections exist for workers in and out of the workplace or who do fall ill with COVID-19.

COLUMBUS—State Rep. Richard D. Brown (D-Canal Winchester) today again urged for the passage of House Bill (HB) 10 following a report from the Franklin County Coroner’s Office that showed a 14 percent increase in overdose deaths in Franklin County in 2019, in addition to seven deaths from drug overdoses that occurred in the county this past weekend over a 24 hour period.

COLUMBUS— State Rep. Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester) today announced Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants will be made available to cover certain local pandemic response costs in Ohio. Funds will go to state and local authorities as well as non-profits, such as hospitals, working at the direction of local governments.

COLUMBUS— For many, the first day of a new month means rent and bills are due. For those who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus outbreak, April 1^st could be the most financially devastating day yet as fears of evictions and foreclosures may loom.

State Rep. Richard D. Brown (D-Canal Winchester) today renewed his call for the passage of House Bill (HB) 10, which would create the Governor’s Office of Drug Policy to combat the overdose crisis in Ohio in a unified, comprehensive manner. HB 10 was designated a priority bill by Speaker Householder and is being supported by both Democrats and Republicans.

COLUMBUS—State Rep. Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester) today applauded Gov. Mike DeWine as he signed into law House Bill (HB) 197, which will provide needed supports to working people, families and businesses in Ohio amid the coronavirus outbreak. It passed both legislative chambers unanimously Wednesday.

COLUMBUS— State lawmakers returned to the Statehouse today to address the COVID-19 crisis and provide immediate relief to everyday Ohioans. State Rep. Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester) released a statement today following the unanimous passage of an omnibus bill (HB 197) that would prohibit utility shut-offs, waive state testing requirements, freeze EdChoice eligibility, extend voting in the primary election, postpone the state income tax filing deadline among several other measures.

House Assistant Minority Whip Rep. Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester) today joined Democratic colleagues to outline several key priorities as lawmakers return to the Statehouse this week to take up emergency measures to address the public health and economic crises facing the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Assistant Minority Whip Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester) today joined colleagues in applauding the passage of House Bill 308, which would allow first responders diagnosed with work-related PTSD in the absence of any physical injury to qualify for BWC compensation and benefits, something Democrats have prioritized in recent General Assemblies.

State Rep. Richard D. Brown (D-Canal Winchester) today issued a statement on the state legislature’s duty to work together to address senseless gun violence and keep all Ohioans safe and secure in the wake of a mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio this past weekend: