Juanita O. Brent News

Today, Ohio Legislative Black Caucus President State Rep. Thomas West (D-Canton) was sworn in by Ohio Supreme Court Justice Melody Stewart, followed by the following officers: State Reps. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland), Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati), Erica Crawley (D-Columbus), Sedrick Denson (D-Cincinnati), and State Sens. Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus), and Vernon Sykes (D-Akron). The change in leadership is also accompanied by the appointment of a new director of the caucus, Tony Bishop. The new leadership team briefly outlined a plan to better engage Black Ohioans and build the necessary coalitions across the state to improve the everyday lives of all Ohioans. The new leadership team issued the statements below following their swearing-in.

State Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) today condemned Governor Mike DeWine’s signing into law of Senate Bill 175, which grants civil immunity to handgun licensees who are responsible for injury, death, or other loss as a result of carrying a handgun. The proposed amendment mimics “stand your ground” laws and permits the use of deadly force by individuals who believe their lives are endangered. Brent says the legislation disproportionately impacts the lives of Black Ohioans and puts the safety of Ohioans at risk.

COLUMBUS– State Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) today spoke on the House floor and voted in favor ofthe amendments to House Bill (HB) 674, which revises liquor laws.

CLEVELAND– State Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) Tuesday evening spoke on the House floor and voted against the Senate amendments to House Bill (HB) 665, which would address agricultural societies and amusement ride safety.

State Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) late Thursday night spoke on the House floor and voted against an amendment to Senate Bill (SB) 175, which grants civil immunity to handgun licensees who are responsible for injury, death, or other loss as a result of carrying a handgun. The proposed amendment mimics “Stand Your Ground” laws and permits the use of deadly force by individuals who believe their lives are endangered. This type of legislation is dangerous for Ohioans and disproportionately impacts the Black Ohioans.

COLUMBUS—State Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) condemned today’s passage of Senate Bill (SB) 375 by the House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. SB 375 would void the Ohio Department of Health Director’s order limiting county fairs to junior fair activities and animal exhibitions issued on July 30, 2020. The bill was passed out of committee along party lines.

COLUMBUS—Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland), a longtime advocate for the decriminalization of cannabis, today applauded the passage of the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (MORE Act) by the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill removes cannabis from the federally controlled substances act and facilitates the cancellation of low-level arrests and convictions related to cannabis. This is the first time that the U.S. House has voted to remove cannabis from the federally controlled substances act.

COLUMBUS—Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) today voted in favor of the Fair School Funding Plan, House Bill (HB) 305, bipartisan legislation that would transform the way Ohio’s schools are funded. Rep. Brent has long fought to reform the state’s school funding formula, which the Ohio Supreme Court has found unconstitutional four times, beginning with the DeRolph decision in 1997.

COLUMBUS – State Representative Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) recognized this year’s National Handwashing Awareness Week (Dec. 1-7) by introducing a House resolution today. National Handwashing Awareness Week promotes the use of proper hand hygiene and handwashing techniques, including washing your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water.