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Legislation addresses Warren’s pay inequities

I introduced legislation two months ago to adjust the salaries of all elected officials, and others, in Warren city government for the first time in 15 years. During those 15 years the cost of living has risen over 42%, effectively representing a pay decrease by almost half for the legislative and administrative branches of government in the city. During those two months four separate finance committee meetings were held to offer time for public questions, debate and consideration of alternatives. Only four citizens attended the Oct. 19 finance meeting; two spoke in opposition. No one ...

Opioid settlements will be impactful to Ohioans

For decades, Ohio, like every state, has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic. Thousands of lives have been lost to substance-use disorders and thousands more continue to struggle with this disease. As the pharmaceutical industry begins to pay out lawsuit settlements as a consequence of its role in the opioid epidemic, our state has come together in an unprecedented way to fight to abate this crisis and save lives as one Ohio. Just two months ago, I was honored to be appointed to serve as the OneOhio Recovery Foundation’s first permanent executive director. I appreciate the board of ...

Disarming domestic abusers protects everyone in country

Before the Lewiston, Maine, spree shooting suspect began voicing plans to “shoot up” his community, there was already a red flag that he might someday commit a mass shooting. The same red flag was also present well before a Florida Republican donor shot his wife and then killed himself in a restaurant parking lot three weeks ago in Palm Beach, Florida. The same red flag had been flapping wildly for years before a shooter took the life of a Judge in Maryland four weeks ago. Each of the shooters, now all dead by suicide, had the same red flag waving from their past: domestic violence. ...

Remember to honor veterans today

Veterans Day is an important opportunity to honor the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting our country and reflect on the extraordinary sacrifices they and their families have made to preserve our freedoms. I’m proud to represent a population of more than 26,000 veterans in Ohio’s 14th Congressional District. As the son of a World War II veteran, I grew up hearing firsthand accounts of the dedication that is required to serve our country and the challenges veterans face when they return home. Today, my deep gratitude for those in uniform, along with my ...

Issue 1 addresses only private medical choices

This November, Ohioans are voting “yes” on Issue 1 to keep government out of our family’s personal decisions. Ohioans agree abortion is a personal, private decision that should be up to women and their families, not the government. Ohioans are voting “yes” because that is the only way to ensure we stop the government ban on abortion here in Ohio. Extreme politicians here in Ohio already passed one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country, which we know puts women’s lives at risk. Voting yes ensures people can make the decisions that are best for them and their ...

Legalizing abortion puts women’s health at risk

At the time, I was led to believe it was the best thing to do. As a panic-stricken 16-year-old, feeling hopeless and too ashamed to tell my family, I accepted the quick fix offered by Planned Parenthood to terminate my pregnancy. I was told I could move on with my life as if I had never been pregnant. I was assured no one would have to know, including the one who loved me most, my mother. Not presented with any other option, it seemed like the only choice I could make. That choice led to emotional and psychological trauma suffered in silence for decades. Today, voters in Ohio have an ...