COLUMBUS - State Representative John M. Rogers (D-Mentor-On-The-Lake) announced this week the passage of House Bill (H.B.) 614, legislation that allocates a total of $650 million in federal CARES Act relief funds for local governments in Ohio. These funds are to be used to offset costs faced by local governments directly caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Previously approved by the Ohio Senate, the bill now heads to the Governor's desk for his signature.

COLUMBUS – State Rep. John Rogers (D-Mentor-on-the-Lake) today announced the unveiling of the Col. Donald Blakeslee Memorial Bridge signs at the foot of the bridge connecting Painesville and the Village of Fairport Harbor along State Route 535. The bridge naming was the result of legislation introduced by Rogers and was signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine in March 2020. The honorary designation recognizes Col. Donald Blakeslee of Fairport Harbor, whose accomplished service as a U.S. Army Air Corp fighter pilot in World War II earned him two Distinguished Service Crosses, eight Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Silver Stars and eight Air Medals.

COLUMBUS -- State Representatives John Rogers (D-Mentor-on-the-Lake) and Jim Hoops (R-Napoleon) yesterday introduced House Bill 759, bipartisan legislation to create a study committee that would examine the discrepancy in death benefits between full-time police officers and firefighters and their part-time counterparts. The Volunteer Peace Officer and Firefighter Benefit Study Committee created by the legislation would propose recommendations to make benefits available to volunteer peace officers and firefighters and their dependents should a volunteer first responder be killed or disabled in the line of duty. 

COLUMBUS -- State Rep. John Rogers (D-Mentor-on-the-Lake) today announced the release of $636,379.29 in state funding through the federal CARES Act.  These funds, which are earmarked for several school districts throughout Lake County, will assist with the purchasing of technologies such as Wi-Fi hotspots and internet-enabled devices, to support remote learning for students this fall semester.