Whether you live in the heart of one of Ohio's big cities or in the rolling hills of Appalachia - or anywhere in between - what happens in the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus make a huge difference in your life and what happens in our public school classrooms every day. That's why it's so important to have pro-public education lawmakers in the General Assembly and to hear from them about the big issues on the horizon for our public schools. OEA members were able to hear from a bipartisan panel of state lawmakers in December, 2024, about education priorities heading into the final days of the 135th General Assembly and looking ahead at what's coming in the 136th General Assembly as it gets underway in 2025.

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Featured Public Education Matters guests: 

• State Rep. Dani Isaacsohn (D-24th Ohio House District)
  • In the Statehouse, Rep. Isaacsohn is committed to fighting for a world-class public education for every student, better childcare for parents, smarter housing policy to bring down prices and increase supply, and making sure that seniors have what they need to age with dignity. He also knows that we must tackle racial and income inequality head-on in order to make lasting progress. Rep. Isaacsohn's district includes almost half of the City of Cincinnati. He is a Walnut Hills High School graduate, and received a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, a master’s degree from Cambridge University, and a J.D. from Yale Law School.
• State Rep. Justin Pizzulli (R-90th Ohio House District)
  • Rep. Pizzulli's district encompasses all of Scioto and Adams Counties, as well as parts of Brown County. His priorities are protecting the sanctity of life, protecting Ohioans’ second amendment rights, and promoting economic growth and prosperity. Outside of his role as State Representative, Rep. Pizzulli works as a realtor in Wheelersburg and as a Class 1 Commercial Freight Conductor in Portsmouth. He also has a packed resume of campaign and management experience. His previous experience and current careers allow him to bring a unique perspective to the table as an elected official and better represent the people of the 90th House District. Rep. Pizzulli lives in Franklin Furnace and in his free time, he is probably enjoying a movie.
• State Sen. William DeMora (D-25th Ohio Senate District)
  • Sen. DeMora's passion for public service began at a young age. He grew up watching his father serve the people of his hometown, Euclid, as a city council member. DeMora took his passion for public service and civic engagement with him to The Ohio State University where he served as President for the Ohio State College Democrats and the Ohio College Democrats before graduating with honors.
  • DeMora previously served as Executive Director of the Ohio Democratic Party and as Executive Director of the Ohio League of Conservation Voters. He has led numerous statewide and national political campaigns supporting candidates for municipal and statewide and national office, as well as for the Ohio General Assembly. DeMora has also served as Ohio Democratic Party's Convention and Delegate Director, where he has directed the Democratic National Convention's Ohio delegation for the past 8 election cycles. Senator DeMora continues to be a Senior Consultant and Parliamentarian for the Ohio Democratic Party as well as a campaign manager for several statewide and legislative candidates.
  • He represents the 25th Senate District which encompasses areas of Franklin County, including  Grandview Heights, Marble Cliff, Minerva Park, Upper Arlington, Valleyview, and The Ohio State University, as well as parts of Columbus,  Blendon Township, Clinton Township, Franklin Township, Norwich Township, Perry Township, Plain Township, Prairie Township, and Sharon Township.

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About us:

• The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.
• Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. 

The content of this episode was recorded at the OEA Fall RA on December 7, 2024.