OHIO — As the White House and U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos call for schools to reopen in the fall, Ohio leaders are calling for Sen. Rob Portman and the rest of the senate to act now by passing the HEROES Act.

What You Need To Know


  • Ohio leaders are seeking $3.2 billion in aid for K-12 and higher education

  • Leaders don't just want education funding, but money to help many communities

  • The individual development plan for Portman calls for him to secure funding for PPE, hazard pay for essential workers and legislation in line with Black Lives Matter demands of reinvesting in infrastructure

  • A statement from Portman's spokesperson indicates that he supports health care efforts, resources for state and local governments, legislation to spur the economy and a safe return to school.

Education leaders, medical professionals and other leaders from across Ohio laid out a list of demands in an individual development plan for Portman.

“We need funding for public education, so students, parents, teachers, custodians can all can start the school year, in a timely and orderly fashion," said Tom Roberts, the NAACP Ohio Chapter president.

The list includes calls for more funding for things like additional personal protective equipment (PPE), health benefits, hazard pay for health care workers and education. 

The HEROES Act would secure around $3.2 billion for K-12 schools and higher education. 

While leaders acknowledged Portman’s support for more funding for small businesses and education, he’s been criticized for being silent on the passage of the entire bill.

“To just put support into education without funding, all these other essential pieces, it is only providing a small part of what our children, and what our state needs are.” said Melissa Cropper, the president of Ohio Federation of Teachers.
 
Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley said her city, like others, is already facing a gaping budget crisis and money for education is critical.

“K through 12, all the way through higher ed are at significant breaking points regarding funding," Whaley said.

Whaley believes that if financial support doesn’t come through, recovery from the coronavirus pandemic will be stifled and the downturn could last longer than anticipated.

“There’s no way the city of Dayton and other cities across the State of Ohio will get through this economic recession near depression from the pandemic without federal help," Whaley said. "So, you know, we're calling on Senator Portman and all the senators to make local communities a priority.”
 
While some call Portman’s partial support shortsighted, a spokesperson for Portman released a statement.

“Rob supports additional COVID response legislation to spur the economy and incentivize more Americans to return to work safely, support our health care efforts to combat the coronavirus, provide resources and flexibility to state and local governments, and ensure our kids have a safe return to school," the statement read. 

Still, Ohio leaders are hoping he and other senators will get on board and pass the HEROES Act sooner than later.

“We cannot forfeit the future of our children by failing to provide for their families, their schools, and their communities," said Melissa Copper. Other leaders said they've been trying to contact Portman for weeks on the issue but hadn't received a response. They planned to send the individual development plan to Portman Thursday. ​