C. Allison Russo News

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo), and State Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington), sent a letter today to Ohio Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Kimberly Hall, asking for ODJFS to institute Automatic Redetermination for Benefits in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.

State Reps. Kristin Boggs (D- Columbus) and Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) recently introduced HB 518 to prevent victims of rape from being denied full compensation of their damages awarded by a jury. The need for this legislation became apparent after Jessica Simpkins, who was a teenager when she was raped by her pastor, was awarded $3.6 million in non-economic damages by a jury only to have the amount reduced to $500,000 under a 2005 tort reform law. 

State Reps. Allison Russo (D- Upper Arlington) and Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) today announced the introduction of The Safe Drinking Water Act to guarantee safe drinking water in Ohio.  The bill provides for state-level standards for drinking water to limit known toxics and protect residents from harm. 

State Reps. Thomas West (D-Canton) and Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) sent a letter to Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) Director Maureen Corcoran today expressing their concerns with the implementation of Medicaid work requirements. The lawmakers’ letter comes in light of a year-end report sent by Director Corcoran to Gov. Mike DeWine detailing a variety of issues the department has dealt with over the past year, including chronic problems with the information technology system “Ohio Benefits,” utilized by both ODM and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) to determine benefit eligibility.

State Reps. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) and Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) today announced the introduction of The Caregiver Expenses Tax Credit, a bill that would provide a tax credit for certain expenses incurred by a family caregiver for the care and support of a qualifying family member. To qualify, the family member must be age 18 or over and require assistance with at least one activity of daily living. 

State Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today announced the introduction of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, bipartisan legislation with Rep. Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) that would align Ohio’s mental health parity laws with current federal law; raise awareness amongst individuals, families, and employers about their rights and responsibilities under the law; and facilitate greater implementation and enforcement. 

State Reps. Beth Liston (D-Dublin) and Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today introduced a bill to protect health providers and patients across Ohio. 

State Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today announced the unanimous passage of House Bill (HB) 287, her bipartisan bill alongside Rep. Rick Perales (R-Beavercreek) that would allow reciprocity for Medicaid home and community-based service (HCBS) waivers for the family members of active-duty military when families move to Ohio for military assignment. These Medicaid waivers are often necessary to provide custodial and nursing care for individuals with significant developmental disabilities. 

State Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today issued a statement announcing approximately $7.63 million in funding for The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) in Franklin County, which was passed with Democratic backing in the state’s transportation budget earlier this year.

State Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) called on Governor DeWine and fellow Representatives today to address the rapidly rising number of uninsured children in Ohio. This renewed call to action from Rep. Russo follows new research released today that says Ohio has the sixth highest number of uninsured children.