Willis E. Blackshear, Jr. News

Today, state Senator Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) joined members of the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus at a press conference to discuss the need for bipartisan legislation to address the reliability, affordability, water use, and local control concerns associated with data centers.

Today, state Senator Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) issued the following statement in response to ICE killing two civilians in Minnesota and recent reports that ICE may target Springfield next month.

Today, state Senator Willis E Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) issued the following statement in response to the tragic killing of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer on Wednesday.

Yesterday, state Senator Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) introduced a bill to establish the Statewide Youth Council in the Office of the Governor. This council will advise the governor and General Assembly on legislation and issues that affect youth in the state, while providing a forum for increased civic participation and valuable experience for young Ohioans.

Today, state Senator Blackshear (D-Dayton) issued the following statement after the Ohio Senate voted to accept conference committee changes to Senate Bill 56, which significantly changes the state's adult-use cannabis program and directly undermines the will of Ohio voters, who established Ohio's recreational marijuana industry by passing State Issue 2 in 2023.

Today, state Senator Willis Blackshear (D-Dayton) commended Governor DeWine for vetoing Senate Bill 50, which would have extended the hours that 14- and 15-year-olds can work during the school year.

Today, state Senator Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) voted against Senate Bill 293, a bill that eliminates the grace period for mail-in ballots to be received.

Today, state Senator Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) issued the following statement regarding the Dayton shooting that killed 5-year-old Legaci Deshawn Taylor.

Today, state Senator Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) issued the following statement regarding the firing of 466 people within the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services this past Friday.

Today, state Senator Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) issued the following statement regarding Statehouse Republicans' decision to ignore the constitutional requirement to pass a bipartisan congressional map by September 30. 

State Senator Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) and state Senator Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton), who both served on the Joint Committee on Congressional Redistricting today, testified at the first public hearing in favor of Senate Bill 259, the fair and constitutional congressional map introduced by Democrats earlier this month. 

Today, state Senator Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) issued the following statement after the Ohio Senate voted to accept conference committee changes to House Bill 96, the state operating budget.

Today, state Senator Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) voted against House Bill 96, the Senate Republicans' version of the state operating budget.

Today, state Senators Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) and Senator Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati) were joined by Montgomery County Auditor Karl Keith and Wood County Auditor Matthew Oestriech to discuss the need for Senate Bill 80, which gives county auditors the option to implement a motor fuel quality testing program.

Today, state Senator Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) commended the Ohio Senate's passage of House Bill 15, which makes significant changes to Ohio's energy policies to protect consumers, increase power generation, and improve the state's electric grid. House Bill 15 largely mirrors Senate Bill 2, which was unanimously passed by the Senate in March.

Today, state Senator Willis E Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) condemned the Ohio Senate's concurrence of Senate Bill 1, also known as the "Higher Education Destruction Act."

Today, state Senator Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) commended the Ohio Senate's passage of Senate Bill 2, which makes significant changes to Ohio's energy policies to protect consumers, increase power generation, and improve the state's electric grid.

Today, state Senator Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) commended the Ohio Senate's passage of House Bill 54, the state's two-year transportation budget. The budget invests $11.5 billion over the biennium into Ohio's roads, bridges, airports, and railways, with nearly $200 million being invested in public transportation.

Today, state Senators Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) and Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) released the following statement after their amendments to Senate Bill 56 were rejected by Republicans in the Senate General Government Committee.

Today, state Senator Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) issued the following statement after the Ohio Senate voted to pass the highly controversial Senate Bill 1:

Today, state Senator Willis E. Blackshear, Jr. (D-Dayton) took the oath of office to serve his first term in the Ohio Senate during the 136th General Assembly.