Veronica R. Sims News

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus today released the following statement on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Veronica Sims (D-Akron) this week called for the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to prioritize Ohioans and reject FirstEnergy’s request to weaken the state’s reliability standards to allow for longer and more frequent power outages.

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Veronica Sims (D-Akron) today released the following statement after Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order directing the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) giving $7M though the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to various Ohio food banks and up to $18M in funds to Ohioans who are at or below 50% of the federal poverty level who already qualify for Ohio Works First (OWF) cash assistance. While 63,000 of the 1.4 million Ohioans on SNAP may be provided some relief due to this effort, excluding 529,000 children who are currently on SNAP, the $18M in emergency funds does not go far enough to support those living just at the federal poverty level. For example, a family of four making roughly $17,000/year or more will not be eligible for this benefit. While a small step in the right direction, this insufficient allocation of funds is hardly enough to address the urgency of this crisis in the state. 

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Veronica Sims (D-Akron) today condemned Ohio Republicans in the state legislature for failing to act on any measures that could have preserved Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for 1.4M Ohioans. Instead, in two days, more than half million children, more than 250,000 seniors, and an estimated 45,000 veterans are at risk of going hungry when the federal government defaults on its November deposit to fully fund SNAP benefit cards due to President Trump and Congressional Republicans' refusal to end the federal government shutdown.

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Veronica Sims (D-Akron) today slammed the Republican-controlled Joint Committee on Congressional Redistricting’s failure to advance any fair, constitutional maps, calling it another broken promise to the people of Ohio.

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Veronica Sims (D-Akron) today announced community office hours for the residents of Ohio House District 33. Residents are welcome to come meet with Rep. Sims to share concerns, thoughts, and/or ideas on behalf of their community.

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Veronica R. Sims (D-Akron) today voted “NO” on the vote to override a school district property tax levy restriction provision vetoed in House Bill 96 (the state operating budget). Line-item 66 would eliminate several types of levies, limiting the choices voters have in how to support their schools and local governments, and would not provide real property tax relief to Ohioans. Real property tax relief is one of the most pressing needs for everyday Ohioans. House Democrats are ready and willing to work together to get that done.

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Veronica R. Sims (D-Akron) today criticized the Republican state operating budget, signed by Governor Mike DeWine, that prioritizes tax breaks for the wealthy and corporate giveaways over funding for schools, affordable communities, and essential healthcare services. Despite a few helpful line-item vetoes, the budget still overwhelmingly reflects out-of-touch priorities that leave everyday Ohioans behind.

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Veronica Sims (D- Akron) today voted “NO” on House Bill (HB) 96, the Republican-crafted state operating budget, citing cruel and chaotic cuts and its abject failure to invest in children, public education, healthcare, and basic services – all while shoveling billions to the wealthy and well-connected. 

COLUMBUS – State Reps. Veronica Sims (D-Akron) and Daniel P. Troy (D-Willowick) this week celebrated the first Ohio Aging Caucus meeting. The Caucus aims to foster discussion to make sure all Ohio seniors have the opportunity to live full, vibrant lives.