You don't want to miss this. June 2022 News & Updates Message from Rep. Kristin Boggs Dear Neighbor, After a busy last month, House session and committees are over for this General Assembly, and will be resuming after the November elections. Over the summer and fall, I hope to hear from you and see you around our community. I am here to be a voice for you. Some ways that my office can help include: Disputes with government agencies; Connecting you or your business to state programs or services; Propose bill ideas and law changes Ohio House commendations, condolences, and congratulatory letters. I am working for you, and working for Ohio. Please do not hesitate to contact my office with any questions, comments, or concerns. You can reach us at [email protected] or 614-466-1896. Yours in service, Kristin What Rep. Boggs has been up to this month A few weeks ago, Representative Boggs read at Columbus Metropolitan Library's Main Library's family story time, in which she read Ten Pigs by Derek Anderson! This summer, the Columbus Metropolitan Library is committed to preventing students from losing critical reading skills during the summer months. From June 1 to July 31, your child can join forces with the Reading League to keep their reading skills strong. You can sign up here, or download the free READsquared app through the App Store or Google Play. Your child can track their reading progress to earn great prizes - and earn raffle entries along the way to win even more! Staff at the library's 23 locations are ready to help! On June 18, Representative Boggs, family, and friends marched in the 2022 Pride Parade! Pride honors the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, where brave individuals, specifically people of color, protested against the police for their right to exist. Ohio should be a welcoming place to attract and retain the most talented workers. During Pride month and beyond, Rep. Boggs and House Democrats will work toward making Ohio an inclusive and welcoming place for all people. Resources for those affected by AEP power outage For those who were affected by AEP's power outages around Franklin County this week, there are resources available to help you get back on your feet. Refer to the graphics above for directions on filing an Compensation Claim with AEP, by visiting aepclaims.com. Additionally, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who experienced food spoilage during the power outage may be eligible for replacement benefits. Households that lost food purchased with SNAP benefits due to a power outage of four hours or more can apply to receive replacement benefits for the amount lost, as long as it does not exceed their monthly allotment. Impacted households must complete this form and return it to the Franklin County Department of Jobs and Family Services. Be ready to provide verification of the extended power outage. Celebrations this month Juneteenth June 19th, or Juneteenth, is a day to celebrate and commemorate the end of slavery in the United States of America. On Juneteenth, we celebrate African American freedom and achievement, while looking to our own self-development as Americans and our respect for the freedom and liberty of all cultures. Democrats continue to prioritize building up Black families and all Ohioans with legislation centered on health, housing, education, jobs, criminal justice reform, and supporting minority owned businesses. For more information about Juneteenth, visit www.Juneteenth.com. Pride Month June is Pride Month, a time for LGBTQ+ communities to celebrate their identities and experiences. The Ohio Fairness Act, proposed by House Democrats, would expand LBGTQ+ protections to include not just employment, but also housing and services in Ohio. Additionally, Democrats strongly oppose recent anti-transgender and discriminatory bills like HB 454, HB 151, and HB 616, all pieces of Republican legislation which would further stigmatize and discriminate against already marginalized queer and trans-youth. Democrats oppose extreme gun legislation Gun violence is an issue that plagues communities all across Ohio. Yet, Republicans continue to pass extreme legislation that Ohioans are not calling for. Recently, Republicans in the Ohio Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 99, a bill that actually puts guns in the classroom by encouraging staff to be armed in schools. Police, teachers' unions, civil rights groups, and students all strongly oppose this legislation and the effects it would have on our children and schools. Ohioans do not want this. They want bills that focus on gun safety. That's why Democrats have been working to propose common sense gun safety legislation in order to ensure the safety of our communities, families, and children. Gun safety legislation Democrats have introduced: HB 38 (West, Miller A.) Repeal "Stand Your Ground" SB 73 (Thomas) / HB 259 (Robinson, Miller, A.) Universal background checks SB 74 (Thomas) Raise minimum age to purchase firearm to 21 SB 75 (Thomas, Williams) Regulate transfer of firearms at gun shows SB 76 (Thomas, Craig) / HB 274 (Upchurch, Jarrells) Restore local control to regulate firearms-related conduct SB 77 (Thomas) Ban bump stocks and other items that accelerate semi-automatic firearms SB 138 (Williams) / HB 257 (Russo, Smith, M.) Enact Extreme Risk Protection Order Act ("Red Flag" law) SB 205 (Thomas) / HB 360 (Miranda, Smith) Designate Gun Violence Awareness Month HB 262 (Miranda, Kelly) Prohibit negligent firearm storage HB 661 (Crossman, Hicks-Hudson) Require gun trigger locks with firearm sales Democrats are here to listen to the people and keep our communities safe. Important legislative updates Redistricting Update  Republicans on the Ohio Redistricting Commission refused to follow the rule of law and meet the Supreme Court-ordered June 3, 2022 deadline to pass constitutional legislative district maps. This means that the August 2022 primary will go forward using unconstitutional maps rigged against voters in favor of politicians. These maps will only apply to the 2022 election. There is no justice in denying voters the opportunity for fair and free elections that use constitutional maps. Corruption and extremism will continue in Ohio until politicians in power put the voices of voters ahead of politics. Democratic officials will continue to fight for Ohioans' voices to be heard and votes to count. Democrats are fighting to protect women and support families Over 60% of Ohioans agree with the Roe v. Wade decision to allow access to abortion. Despite this, Ohio Republicans continue to prioritize legislation to ban abortion, including the 6-week abortion ban signed into law by Gov. DeWine in 2019. House Bill 598 and Senate Bill 123 are current pieces of legislation that would completely ban abortion in Ohio without any exceptions for rape, incest, or to protect the health of the mother. Last month, Democrats introduced a plan to protect women's healthcare and support babies and families. Due to the national threat of reproductive freedom being stripped away, House and Senate Democrats proposed an amendment to Ohio's Constitution that would ensure all people have the freedom to make decisions about their bodies and health care. $7.38 million of capital budget funds go to District 18 community projects On June 1st, the Ohio House of Representatives passed HB 687, the capital budget, which appropriates resources to state owned infrastructure, colleges, universities, and school districts as well as other community projects. The capital budget is typically passed every 2 years with this year's budget appropriating over $3.5 billion to counties across Ohio with $191 million being allocated to community projects. Rep. Boggs helped to secure $7.38 million in funding for a number of community projects, including: $2.5 million for Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks' Heritage Trail Expansion $1 million for the Franklin Park Conservatory's Renovation of the Wolfe Palm House and Davis Showhouse $350k for the City of Bexley's Alum Creek Pedestrian and Bike Bridge $650k for the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts Central Presbyterian Church Renovation $350k for the Columbus Museum of Art's Building Improvement Project $100k for the Columbus College of Art and Design's Youth and Community Learning Hub $450k for OSU Chabad House's Kitchen of Life $600k for Zora's House's New Community Hub Project $50k for Highland Youth Garden's Youth Center $75k for Gravity Phase II $500k for Goodwill Columbus' Workforce Development and Adult Day Services Facilities $400k for The Refuge's Residential Capacity Expansion $300k for Harriet's Hope $50k for Lifecare Alliance's Answering the Call Campaign The capital budget now moves to the Senate for further consideration before heading to the Governor's desk. 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