HERE'S WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: OHIO MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS BROWN'S STATEWIDE TRAVELS AROUND OHIO

Press Release

Over the past two weeks, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) visited communities across the state to hear from Ohioans and highlight key wins that he worked to secure in both the bipartisan infrastructure law and American Rescue Plan.

During stops in Cleveland: Brown joined Ohio workers and retirees and their families to announce the final rule issued by the Department of Labor that will implement Brown's Butch Lewis Act, saving the pensions that 100,000 Ohioans earned, and saving Ohio family businesses. Brown also joined local retired and current musicians from the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 4 who shared their stories about what the pension relief Brown helped secure in the American Rescue Plan means for their livelihoods.

Read what they're saying about Brown's stops in Cleveland:

Cleveland.com:

[Brown] credited grassroots efforts by union workers and retirees for pressuring Democrats in Washington to pass a pension fix."
""This is for you,' Brown said to the crowd. "This is our commitment to you: With this president in the United States of America, we keep our promises to working class families."'
WKSU:

"Sen. Sherrod Brown has previously proposed aid to pension benefits through the Butch Lewis Act, named for a late Teamsters leader from Cincinnati. The ARPA measure would stave off cuts to workers' retirements, he said."
""They bargained for this, they gave up wages today for this pension, and they were going to lose a lot of that pension,' Brown told Ideastream Public Media. "And that's why Biden is the most pro-worker president in my lifetime."'
News 5 Cleveland: Meet the local retired truck driver who was one of the driving forces behind the $86 billion pension bill

"They would get the attention of Washington with their numbers and the ear of Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) who would introduce the Butch Lewis Act named for the man who fought with Walden to see this wrong righted but passed away early in the fight with his widow Rita picking up the mantel. She was singled out by the president Wednesday for her tireless efforts to see this through."
"Brown was among those on hand, tipping his cap to Walden and Rita Lewis. "This has been ten years in the making and at the beginning nobody paid attention, nobody understood it and they walked the halls of Congress, they came to events all over Ohio," he said. "It happened in other states but nowhere like Rita and Mike did in Ohio, we've finally got it to happen."'
Ohio Capital Journal:

"The specific funding mechanism to keep the plans in the black through 2050 comes from legislation called the Butch Lewis Act proposed by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-OH, who was on hand for the event."
""You fought for these pensions, you bargained for these pensions, you gave up raises at the bargaining table every three years for these pensions,' Brown said. "You earned these pensions, period."'
During a stop in Steubenville: Brown joined city and business leaders and members of the AFSCME Local 215 at the City of Steubenville's Water Filtration plant to discuss investments the bipartisan infrastructure law will make in local water systems.

Read what they're saying about Brown's stop in Steubenville:

9 WTOV, Wheeling/Steubenville: Sen. Brown tours Steubenville water plant, vows to work harder to secure funding

"Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown was highly motivated on Tuesday after he toured Steubenville's water filtration plant. "Seeing that here today makes me work that much harder to make sure these dollars come here,' Brown said. He said there's a need for collaboration from various levels in the effort to improve the water infrastructure in Steubenville and across the state."
Herald-Star: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown discussed infrastructure with Steubenville officials

"City leaders told U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown Tuesday federal dollars have been critical to Steubenville's efforts to upgrade its water valves and mainlines, and they're hoping there's more in the pipeline. Brown, in town to tout the opportunities the bipartisan infrastructure bill opens up for communities across Ohio, said the law "will finally allow Ohio communities to replace their lead pipes. It's going to mean safer drinking water, and it's going to reduce pollution in lakes and rivers like the Ohio River.'"
During a stop in St. Clairsville: Brown hosted a roundtable at Ohio University Eastern, with local leaders, counselors and patients, to discuss the impact of mental health and addiction issues on the community.

Read what they're saying about Brown's stop in St. Clairsville:

7 WTRF, Wheeling/Steubenville: US Sen. Sherrod Brown talks about mental health: "It's important that we recognize the physical illness in our country"

"US Senator Sherrod Brown tells me the needs in Belmont and Jefferson counties are no different than the state or country, and COVID-19 didn't help any."
""We still don't recognize mental illness as the persistent problem that it is, and there are nurses and doctors that want to help.'"
"The Senator hopes to continue to help fight the addiction and mental health issues throughout the state, including here locally."
9 WTOV, Wheeling/Steubenville: Sen. Brown seeks input from local mental health professionals

"Brown invited local mental health professional organizations to a roundtable discussion to find out firsthand what they need to continue helping patients. "Local communities know more about their needs than I do,' Brown said. "The mayor, the county commissioner, the local nurse or a local teacher. So, I invite them to these roundtables and they tell me what they need and it's up to me to carry those things back and try to help.""
The Intelligencer and Wheeling News Register: Brown Holds Mental Health Care Talk

"Brown, D-Ohio, heard from several people working in the field, all of whom agreed that staffing, transportation and funding are lacking in the region. Brown acknowledged that the nation has "under invested" in mental health care and added that the issue was "forgotten' during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Brown urged all participants to reach out to his staff regarding their specific needs and suggestions. He added that while he wasn't making any promises at the moment, he could potentially direct earmarked federal funds toward their efforts."
During a stop in Toledo: Brown joined veterans and families who have been harmed by exposure to toxic burn pits to discuss legislation that recently passed the Senate that aims to help these veterans and their families. The SFC Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022 is expected to pass the House soon and be signed into law.

Read what they're saying about Brown's stop in Toledo:

Toledo Blade: Veterans suffering from toxic exposure to benefit from legislation

"Senator Brown spoke to a group of Ohio veterans and media representatives at the Military Order of the Purple Heart Memorial at the Civic Mall downtown. The veterans present said they have been harmed by exposure to toxic chemicals and fumes from waste materials -- so-called burn pits. Spearheaded by the senator, the bill -- SFC Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022 -- passed the Senate on June 16 and is expected to pass the House soon and be signed into law."
The Courier: Fight continues for burn pit victims

"U.S Senator Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, was surrounded by American heroes at a press conference yesterday at the Military Order of the Purple Heart Memorial in Toledo. There, the senator gathered with military members and families of late veterans united by one purpose -- a pending law that would provide victims of military-managed toxic burn pits the health care benefits they've been denied for decades."
During a stop in Defiance: Brown presented certificates to sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students at the final day of a Defiance County summer manufacturing camp his office helped organize, that was focused on food manufacturing and agribusiness. The camp offered students a chance to learn about careers in their communities, tour local manufacturing facilities, and learn from experts.

Read what they're saying about Brown's stop in Defiance:

The Crescent-News: U.S. Sen. Brown visits with local manufacturing camp kids

"U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio capped off one of two manufacturing camps for kids with a visit to Iron Horse Brews here Wednesday afternoon. Organized by the Defiance County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), the camp idea was initiated across the state through Brown's office 10 years ago as a way to present manufacturing career options for school kids. Camps have been held for several years in Defiance County, according to the CIC's workforce manager, Kortney Williams. Brown's visit came at the conclusion of the second CIC camp this summer offered to students from Hicksville and Fairview schools Monday through Wednesday."
During a stop in Columbus: Brown joined Federal Transit Administrator, Nuria Fernandez, and local transit leaders to discuss how the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) plans to use the record federal investment from the bipartisan infrastructure law to build innovative bus lines, reduce travel times and create jobs.

Read what they're saying about Brown's stop in Columbus:

10 WBNS, Columbus: COTA prepares for major upgrades to transit system

"U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, who attended Pinkerton's display of the proposed transit route, said when working on the infrastructure bill, a main focus was integrating housing with transportation."
""It's clear we're going to need more multi-housing units, putting them as close to bus stops and transit stops as possible,' Brown said. "It's good for the environment, it's good for people getting to work less expensively, efficiently and safely."'
Columbus Dispatch:

"On Thursday, Sen. Sherrod Brown, the Ohio Democrat, hopped on a COTA bus to take a ride down West Broad Street and through Franklinton with Joanna Pinkerton, COTA's president and CEO, and Nuria Fernandez, administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, and other officials."
"Brown said he would work to help secure federal funding for COTA's plans."
""They make a good case here,' Brown said, especially as the Columbus region continues to grow, with transit integrated with more housing. Pinkerton called it a "generational moment."'
4 NBC, Columbus: U.S. Sen. Brown, Ohio leaders tour COTA's proposed rapid transit route

"U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, who attended Pinkerton's display of the proposed transit route, said when working on the infrastructure bill, a main focus was integrating housing with transportation. "It's clear we're going to need more multi-housing units, putting them as close to bus stops and transit stops as possible,' Brown said. "It's good for the environment, it's good for people getting to work less expensively, efficiently and safely."'
During a stop in Chillicothe:

Read what they're saying about Brown's stop in Chillicothe: Brown met with local leaders and veterans to discuss saving the Chillicothe Veterans Affairs Medical Center (CVAMC), and launching his Strengthening the Chillicothe VA committee.

Meigs Independent Press: Brown Discusses Successful Effort to Save Chillicothe Veterans Affairs Medical Center

"In June, Brown joined Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee members in announcing their collective opposition to the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission process moving forward in the Senate, which signifies the end of the AIR Commission. The senators' opposition will effectively put an end to the AIR Commission and allow the Chillicothe VA to remain open and southern Ohio veterans to continue receiving care at the facility."
"Brown is a fierce advocate for Ohio veterans and has fought to ensure that they have access to necessary medical resources they need, according to a press release."
West Virginia News: What's next? Now that Chillicothe VA Medical Center isn't targeted for closure, Sen. Brown, others look to improve facility, care

"U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio met on Thursday with local leaders and veterans to discuss moving the Chillicothe Veterans Affairs Medical Center (CVAMC) forward now that the facility is no longer targeted for closure. The senator launched his Strengthening the Chillicothe VA committee, which will work to ensure care from CVAMC continues to improve for Southeast Ohio veterans. With the Chillicothe VA remaining open, an estimated 20,000 veterans will continue to receive local treatment and maintain medical care access."
During a stop in the Mahoning Valley: Brown hosted a roundtable at Akron Children's Mahoning Valley Hospital, with health care professionals, a parent and a teen, to discuss the increasing number of mental health issues affecting young Ohioans.

Read what they're saying about Brown's stop in the Mahoning Valley:

The Vindicator: Brown touts mental health for kids

"U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown said more focus on mental health issues among children is needed."
"During the COVID-19 pandemic "we sort of lost sight of all other things medical except the pandemic,' he said during a Friday discussion on the subject with health care professionals and others at the Akron Children's Hospital Beeghly Campus."
WKBN 27: Ohio Sen. walks through new Valley emergency expansion

"Senator Sherrod Brown got a first-hand look at the expansion taking place at Akron Children's Hospital in the Valley. The Senator met with hospital administrators Friday morning and walked through the construction site for a new larger emergency department."
WFMJ 21: Akron Children's Mahoning Valley seeing increase in mental health issues among kids & teens

"Senator Sherrod Brown was in the Mahoning Valley Friday to hear from local health care professionals about an increase in mental health issues among children and teens. Brown held a round table discussion at Akron Children's Mahoning Valley Beeghly campus in Boardman."
WKBN 27: Ohio senator discusses child mental health at local hospital

"Senator Sherrod Brown made a trip to the Valley to hear from experts with Akron Children's Hospital in Boardman. Brown said the government needs to provide more mental health care services for children."
During a stop in Medina: Brown joined business owners and leaders at the Brunswick City Council chambers to discuss the job-creating, Buy America protections Brown secured in the bipartisan infrastructure plan, and potential workforce and economic development opportunities for Ohio businesses in the future.

Read what they're saying about Brown's stop in Medina:

The Medina Gazette: Sen. Sherrod Brown visits Brunswick to speak to business and economic leaders

Throughout his time in the Senate, Brown said he has been to around 500 roundtables. He prefers roundtables that are smaller in size like the one held in Brunswick, so everyone gets a chance to speak.
""That's such a good cross section of the county to hear what the needs are for employees, for supply chain, for business development, for new jobs and all that,' he said. "It's really what helps me do my job more than anything else I've done."'

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