Sen. Sherrod Brown Fights to Save Pensions

This week U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown hosted a news conference call as he continues his years-long fight alongside Ohio retirees, workers and small businesses to save multiemployer pension plans. The failure of these plans would have drastic consequences for the country's economy, especially amid the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Brown is working to include a version of his Butch Lewis Act in the COVID-19 rescue package currently coming together in Congress. Brown named the legislation in memory of Butch Lewis, the former head of Teamsters Local 100 in southwest Ohio.

"We need to get this done in this COVID rescue plan, because we know if the multiemployer system collapses, the effect will ripple across the entire economy, at a time when we can least afford it," said Brown. "Rita and these Ohio workers don't want a bailout or a handout -- they're just asking for what they earned. And now, we finally have a chance to deliver on that promise."

Brown was joined on the call by Rita Lewis, widow of Butch Lewis, and a vocal champion for a multiemployer pension fix for Ohio retirees and workers. Ms. Lewis was Brown's guest at the State of the Union in 2018 and 2019.

Frank LaRose Blocks Additional Drop Boxes Again

During the 2020 election, we watched as Ohio voters were forced to stand in line outside in inclement weather for hours during the early voting period, and we saw cars lined up for blocks, waiting to return their ballots to a single drop box location in each county.

Despite the long lines and confusion we all witnessed last fall, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is continuing to make it harder for Ohioans to vote. LaRose has issued another directive banning county boards of elections from adding ballot drop box locations.

This action comes after LaRose made multiple private and public statements in favor of additional drop boxes. Last year, the Ohio Democratic Party sued LaRose over his decision to prohibit more than one drop box location per county. At the trial court and appellate levels, judges ruled that additional drop box locations are allowed under Ohio law, but LaRose is choosing to block county boards from making voting safer and more convenient for Ohioans.

• Saturday, Feb. 20 -- Greater Dayton Young Dems Black History Month Virtual Screening of "13th"
• Monday, Feb. 22 -- Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Summit Hosted by State Sen. Teresa Fedor and State Rep. Tavia Galonski
• Monday, Feb. 22 -- League of Women Voters Luncheon Discussion with State Rep. Brigid Kelly
• Monday, Feb. 22 -- Matriots Conversation with Commissioner Alicia Reece and Commissioner Judy Dodge
• Monday, Feb. 22 -- Fair Districts Coalition Train the Trainer Session on Community Mapmaking
• Tuesday, Feb. 23 -- All of Us: Community Town Hall with State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells
• Tuesday, Feb. 23 -- Franklin County Young Democrats Meeting
• Wednesday, Feb. 24 -- Upper Arlington Progressive Action Book Club Discussion
• Thursday, Feb. 25 -- College of Wooster Democrats Meeting
• Wednesday, March 3 -- Fairfield County Democratic Party Book Club Discussion
• Saturday, March 6 -- Virtual Birthday Celebration and Fundraiser for Congresswoman Joyce Beatty
• Monday, March 8 -- Medina County Democratic Party Community Outreach Meeting
• Wednesday, March 10 -- Coalition of Democratic and Progressive Organizations of Central Ohio Meeting
• Wednesday, March 24 -- Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus Congressional Candidates Forum