Mary Lightbody News

COLUMBUS— State Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) issued a statement today applauding the passage of House Bill (HB) 2, a long-held Democratic priority that would create the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Program, specifically designed to bring broadband access to unserved residential households in both rural and urban areas of the state. The bill funds $20 million in grants for this year. 

State Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) joined Democrats in opposing a Republican resolution that would urge Congress not to pass HR 1, the For the People Act, federal pro-voter legislation that would protect the freedom to vote, prevent billionaires from buying influence in elections, and make sure voting options are equally accessible across all 50 states.

Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) today issued the following statement on the House passage of House Bill 110, the state’s two-year budget. House Democrats largely opposed the bill, saying it was a missed opportunity to invest in everyday Ohioans still struggling amid the health and economic crisis.

Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) announced that the state Controlling Board approved several items this week, including the establishment of the State Fiscal Recovery Fund, which will allow Ohio to accept an estimated $5.5 billion under the recently passed American Rescue Plan (ARP) to support Ohioans during the COVID-19 pandemic and aid the state’s economic recovery once appropriated.

State Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) today urged constituents to proceed with caution after Franklin County was upgraded to Level Four or “Purple” on Ohio’s Public Health Advisory System.  Purple is the highest-level rating on the advisory system and indicates severe exposure and spread of COVID-19 in the county. 

COLUMBUS—Today, House Bill (HB) 145, legislation sponsored by State Reps. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) and Andrea White (R-Kettering) to increase childcare assistance income eligibility, received a second hearing in the House Families, Aging, and Human Services Committee.

COLUMBUS— Today, Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) signed on as a co-sponsor to a resolution that the Ohio Black Maternal Health Caucus (OBMHC) is introducing to recognize Black Maternal Health Week in Ohio. Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17) is an annual event that promotes awareness and seeks to advance and improve Black maternal health outcomes across the country.

Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville), today applauded the House passage of Senate Bill (SB) 18, legislation to implement key provisions of the American Rescue Plan to benefit working people and middle-class families, including excluding the first $10,200 in unemployment benefits from income tax for more than 2 million Ohioans who lost jobs during the pandemic.  The bill includes many long-held Democratic priorities to expand tax cuts for lower and working class families and to  expand credits for child care, as well as provisions from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 among other changes.

State Reps. Jeff Crossman (D- Parma) and Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) today issued statements on President Joe Biden’s visit to Ohio, where the president will speak on the anniversary and importance of the Affordable Care Act at The Ohio State University’s James Cancer Center.

Today, State Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) signed on as a co-sponsor to House Democratic priority legislation to declare racism a public health crisis. Previously introduced in the 133rd General Assembly as HCR 31, the resolution provides meaningful action steps to address racial health disparities and begin to dismantle systemic racism in Ohio.