Ohio Democrats Urge Governor to Utilize Executive Power to Declare an Emergency in East Palestine

COLUMBUS – Ohio Senate and House Democrats today sent a joint letter signed by all members to Governor Mike DeWine calling on him to officially declare a disaster in East Palestine. 

“Nearly two weeks have passed since the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio and its plume of toxic smoke has become a national symbol of a human-made ecological disaster. It is abundantly clear that more resources are urgently needed to fully address the cost of the disaster on the people of this small community and the surrounding area,” said the joint letter. “We ask that you immediately declare a disaster or emergency and seek all available resources from the federal government in order to maximize the support that can be mobilized for the people in East Palestine coping with this disaster. ”

Both House and Senate Democrats are adamant Norfolk Southern must be held fully accountable and will fight for whatever investments are needed to ensure not only East Palestine, but any part of Ohio possibly impacted by the fallout, will get whatever is needed.