Scott Oelslager News

Over the past few weeks I’ve come across several things in the news that I wanted to share. A lot has been happening in the state of Ohio, including investing in our state parks and saving Ohioans time at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

The House was successful in passing several pieces of legislation before the end of the year including bills to designate Brain Cancer Awareness Month and to save taxpayer dollars.

COLUMBUS—In response to a recent Republican press conference on community engagement with law enforcement, Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) President Rep. Thomas West (D-Canton) and Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) today urged action on comprehensive Democratic legislation to modernize policing in Ohio, improve community-police relations and ensure the safety and security of both officers and the public. Democrats unveiled their proposals in April 2021, which are a key pillar of their Opportunity Agenda for Ohio. Democrats say many of the reforms they introduced are already working to improve policing and public safety in communities and states across the country. 

The House was successful in passing several pieces of legislation before the end of the year including bills to support Ohio’s small businesses and promote transparency.  

State Representative Scott Oelslager (R – North Canton) announced today that the Ohio Controlling Board has approved the release of funds for a service station cleanup and for the Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility. 

COLUMBUS— State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) announced today that assistance is available through the Ohio Department of Development and IMPACT Community Action for Ohioans who need help with their home energy bills. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps Ohioans at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines pay their heating bills. Ohioans who are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected from their utility service, transferring services, establishing new services, at or below 25% fuel, or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 12 months, may also be eligible for the HEAP Winter Crisis Program.

Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus) announced that the state Controlling Board approved several items of note this week, including the allocation of $202 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) for the Home Energy Assistance Weatherization Program, which helps Ohioans pay their energy bills if they are at or below 175% of the federal poverty line.

The House was successful in passing several pieces of legislation in the last several weeks including bills to support Ohio’s small businesses and promote railroad safety. 

State Reps. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) and Adam Miller (D-Columbus) today provided sponsor testimony before the Ohio Higher Education and Career Readiness Committee on H.B. 415, the Veteran Education Tuition Support Act, which would expand eligibility for in-state tuition to veterans, their spouses, and dependents. The bill would specifically provide in-state tuition to any member of the Ohio National Guard who had 15 days active duty or active duty training in a service year. 

The House was successful in passing several pieces of legislation last week including designating Women Veterans’ Day and regulating mobile dental facilities. State officials also announced last month the creation of a new effort to connect students with disabilities to the job market.

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) announced he will soon introduce legislation to establish the “Recovery is Beautiful” specialty license plate to provide individuals and families with hope and encouragement, as well as provide additional funding to expand recovery supports when individuals experience a mental health or substance abuse problem.

The House was successful in passing several pieces of legislation last week including updates to Ohio’s humane society law and the tax code. In addition, on Monday, November 4 the Controlling Board approved the release of funds to Heartland Behavioral Healthcare. 

The House was successful in passing several pieces of legislation last week including updates to Ohio’s distracted driving laws and ensuring occupational license reciprocity for members of the military and their spouses.

The House was successful in passing several pieces of legislation last week including bills to protect children and strengthen penalties for promoting prostitution. 

State Representatives Johnathan Newman (R-Troy) and Beth Lear (R-Galena) yesterday introduced the Save Ohio Sports Act, legislation that proposes reforms to separate fair competition from high-stakes wagering by banning manipulative betting formats, eliminating all collegiate sports betting, and restricting predatory industry practices.

The House was successful in passing several pieces of legislation last week to form the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementias Task Force and to establish several tax deductions and exemptions.