Senator Teresa Fedor

On Saturday, I joined employees, elected officials, and honored guests at the 130th anniversary celebration of Mondelēz Biscuit Flour Mill in Toledo. As the largest flour mill in the U.S., the company has served the Toledo-area economy mightily for over a century. I’d like to thank Mondelēz for inviting me to the celebration and wish them the absolute best going forward!

I am encouraged that ProMedica is finally giving what is rightfully owed to the University of Toledo’s College of Medicine and Life Sciences. The University of Toledo Medical Center plays an integral role in the Toledo community and across the state of Ohio. As one of the few public hospitals in the state, UTMC’s priority is keeping Ohioans safe and healthy. These payments help make that possible. This agreement is a step in the ongoing dialogue between ProMedica and UTMC, and I encourage ProMedica to prioritize this partnership.

ProMedica will pay UT $7.6 million it had withheld in contract dispute, AG reports After threatening to sue ProMedica if it did not pay the University of Toledo at least $3.8 million owed under an agreement the two organizations struck in ...

I was devastated to hear about the fire that tragically claimed the lives of two workers at the Toledo refinery last night. It’s unimaginable to think that these individuals left for work not knowing that they wouldn’t make it home to their loved ones at the end of the day. I extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the two workers and will keep them in my thoughts and prayers. I hope authorities will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of this fire and make the necessary changes to ensure that workers have safer conditions moving forward.

Ohio must continue to develop transparent, meaningful, and fair report cards that reflect a wider view of school success measures rather than relying on a set of test scores to determine school quality. Then, we must use this information to better target support for communities and schools.

For years, Ohio’s school report cards have employed arbitrary and flawed metrics. The reformed grading system reflects a systematically different, student-centered account that will provide logical feedback for families, educators, communities and policy makers.

Our new approach reflects a commitment to closing the gap between school districts. This enables school districts and families to analyze year-to-year student improvement, rather than just the results of a test score. Students may grow exceptionally over the course of the year, but that progress might not show up on a standardized exam. This system accounts for those nuances.

This new report card framework has been a long time coming. Families, communities and policy makers are now able to have more constructive conversations over the comprehensive story of our students. However, this report card is only one element to the wider story of education in Ohio.

Find your school's state report card and understand how to read it The Ohio Department of Education is set to release its annual report cards on school buildings and districts soon. Here's how to interpret them.

This resolution hides under a very thin veil of ‘supporting families,’ but we must call it what it is: an unnecessary, unprovoked attack on Ohio’s children. The resolution is harassment — full stop. If adopted, our youth will be pushed into social isolation, stigmatization, bullying and potentially even self-harm. It will shame children in their own homes and keep them in hiding at school, a place where all students should feel welcome, safe and accepted for who they are, not for who the Board of Education tells them to be. In short, I condemn this shameful resolution in the strongest possible terms.

State school board resolution would oppose President Joe Biden’s proposed Title IX protections for LGBTQ students, urges local schools to defy rules The resolution is being slammed for stirring up culture wars in an election season, and for targeting vulnerable children.

The Lake Erie Communities and Costal Resilience Grants are a great opportunity, not only for our local economies, but to help Ohio become a resilient leader in the face of changing climate. Northern Ohio is bound together by Lake Erie. With the increasingly unpredictable weather patterns we are now subject to, this program will help protect shoreline communities and our Great Lake.

Learn more and apply here: https://lakeerie.ohio.gov/funding-oportunities/coastal-resilience

Now requesting proposals for OLEC’s new Lake Erie Communities and Coastal Resilience Grant program. Grants of up to $250,000 will be considered for a one-year grant for projects in the eight Ohio Lake Erie coastal counties. More information can be found in the official press release: https://tinyurl.com/4znrszbb

Today, I introduced S.B. 355 to reduce the amount of money unemployed Ohioans are required to have earned to qualify for unemployment compensation.

We desperately need to reform our unemployment system to make sure it is ready to assist workers and families when they need it. Ohio’s unemployment system is out of step with the rest of the nation. Modifying how much we require jobless workers to earn to qualify for these benefits will bring us in line with many other states.

Read more about how S.B. 355 will help Ohioans:

Fedor Introduces Bill to Reduce Earnings Requirement for Unemployment Compensation | Senator Teresa Fedor | The Ohio Senate

The Supreme Court’s ruling strips women of our bodily autonomy and dignity, and completely alters what it means to be a woman or girl in America today. Eliminating the right to abortion doesn’t stop abortions – it only serves to stop safe abortions and is particularly oppressive to Black, impoverished, and working-class women. Forcing a woman to give birth is traumatizing and inhumane, especially for those who are pregnant as a result of abuse.

Politicians have no place getting involved in such a personal decision that should be left to the individual and their health care provider. Unfortunately, Republicans’ crusade to pass legislation that the majority of Ohioans oppose is a testament to the undemocratic and cruel ideology of their party. Thanks to the supermajority power they hoard through gerrymandering, Ohio is becoming a dangerous and intolerant state. We must do everything in our power to change the direction of our state.

Read my full statement: https://www.ohiosenate.gov/senators/fedor/news/fedor-condemns-us-supreme-courts-ruling-in-dobbs-v-jackson-womens-health-organization

Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday, holding that there is no longer a federal constitutional right to an abortion. 

They just wanted to say they were doing something and what they’ve gotten away with is unconscionable. They will have blood on their hands.

Ohio Makes It Easier for Teachers to Carry Guns at School A new law requires educators and other school staff members who want to carry a weapon to undergo no more than 24 hours of training — compared with more than 700 hours previously.

As of today, Senate Bill 215 is in effect. This means there are almost no requirements for anyone 21+ to carry a concealed handgun in Ohio.

It is a sign of how unrepresentative our state government has become that this bill is going into effect after the recent wave of mass shootings. Eliminating all requirements for individuals to be licensed to carry a concealed firearm will make Ohio far more dangerous. Americans are demanding commonsense gun reform and it is time for Republicans to put children ahead of guns.

Fedor Condemns Removal of Concealed Carry Requirements | Senator Teresa Fedor | The Ohio Senate

I'm calling on Governor DeWine to veto House Bill 99. The GOP’s decision to disregard the will of Ohioans by allowing more guns in our schools is undemocratic, considering the hundreds of Ohioans who have taken the time to submit testimony in opposition to this radical piece of legislation.

Read my full statement: https://www.ohiosenate.gov/senators/fedor/news/fedor-demands-gov-dewine-veto-legislation-reducing-training-requirement-for-carrying-guns-in-school

The Ohio Department of Aging is accepting nominations for outstanding older adults to be inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. Since 1976, the hall has honored current or long-time Ohio senior citizens who have made a lasting impact on their communities, professions, or vocations.

I know Lucas County is home to a number of outstanding older adults who are very deserving of recognition. An induction into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame is a great way to honor these individuals.

Nominations must be received by Monday, May 30, 2022 to be considered. An induction ceremony will be held in September. To nominate a senior citizen in your community or learn more, visit www.aging.ohio.gov/halloffame.

Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame The Ohio Senior Citizen's Hall of Fame