State Senator Sandra Williams

Ohio Statehouse
1 Capitol Square
Columbus, OH 43215
Office (614) 466-4857

Sandra Williams
1 CAPITOL SQUARE, ROOM 052
COLUMBUS OHIO 43215 WILLIAMS@OHIOSENATE.GOV
OFFICE 614.466.4857 FAX 614-466-4120

April 2015 Issue

Getting to Know Your State Senator

Who: Sandra Williams
District: Bratenahl, parts of Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Garfield Heights, Newburgh
Heights, Shaker Heights, University Heights
When: Senator since January 2015, previously State Representative for Ohios 11th House
District from 2007-2014
Background: Senator Williams is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, where she attended
Cleveland Public Schools. She holds a Bachelors degree from Cleveland State University in Political Science with
a minor in Criminal Justice, a Masters in Criminal Justice Administration from Tiffin University, and Executive
Masters in Business Administration from Cleveland State University. She is also the recipient of an
Honorary Doctorate Degree from Tiffin University. Senator Williams has also held a myriad of positions in
public serviceas a corrections officer, probation and parole officer, mediator for the State of Ohio, legislative
aide, and a State Representative. She also served our country as a member of the United States Army Reserve
and was honorably discharged in 1995. As State Representative, she led the charge to restructure the Cleveland
Municipal School District; passing legislation that will set the foundation for stronger schools, increased learning
opportunities, and a brighter future for Clevelands children.

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Clockwise from top Senator Edna Brown

(Minority Whip), Senator Charleta Tavares

Letter from the

Senator

Youth Summer
Employment
Opportunities

Food Assistance

Contacting State
Agencies

Address
Confidentiality
Legislation

A Message From Senator Sandra Williams

Dear Neighbors,
As the legislative debate continues on the $70 billion dollar biennial budget (the
largest in state history), I think it is important to remember that our states purpose
and priorities are really illustrated by investments and challenges we take on through
the state budget.
I believe our states primary goal should be to better position the state to compete for
quality jobs through investments in education, access to healthcare, community
development and fair tax policies that dont squeeze everyday Ohioans. To advance
education and workforce development, I have sponsored one legislative idea which
would lower the cost for Ohioans taking the GED test, and another which would
make job training more affordable by increasing access to grant funds. We must
remove barriers to gainful employment and education!
Ohios rainy day fund has grown, but at the expense of the local government fund
which has consistently decreased. According to a January 2015 Policy Matters Ohio
report, funding cuts to local governments have left one-third of Ohio communities
without the recommended level of budget reserves and many communities have been
forced to cut the jobs of police officers, firefighters and other essential personnel to
save money. In order to sustain robust economies in our communities, we must
support them by developing a budget that provides sufficient resources to local
governments.
Throughout the budget process I will continue to fight for access to quality and
affordable education, fairer hiring practices and keeping more of your tax money in
your community. As we continue budget deliberations, I want to hear from you.
Please contact my office and let me know what you think the legislature should be
prioritizing.
Sincerely,

State Senator Sandra Williams

State Senator Sandra Williams 21st District

Senator Williams Discusses Police
Community Relations At Day of Action
In February, Senator Williams
spoke at the Ohio Legislative Black
Caucus Day of Action to encourage
members of the African American
Community to let their voices be
heard at the Ohio Community
Police Relations Task Force
meetings.
Senator Williams is a member of
the 24-person task force which
must release their findings and
suggestions by April 30, 2015.

April 2015 Newsletter

Senator Williams to Serve As Keynote

Speaker at Lupus Foundation of Ohio
Minority Health & Wellness Fair

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can

damage any part of the body. It often results in severe
fatigue, swollen joints, and headaches. Lupus can effect
anyone, but it is more prevalent in African American
females.
Senator Williams the keynote speaker at the Lupus
Foundation of Ohio Minority Health & Wellness Fair
set to take place on Saturday, April 11 from 12p-4p at
Mt. Zion Congregational Church (10723 Magnolia
Dr., Cleveland, OH 44106). The Health & Wellness
Fair will have vendors and fitness demonstrations on
site to encourage you to get active and stay healthy! For
more information visit www.lupus.org/ohio.

DISTRICT SERVICES
Youth Opportunities Unlimited

My Summer Job Youth Employment Program

Cuyahoga County teens age 14-18 are eligible for meaningful, paid, summer employment through this program. For
more information and the application visit www.YouthOpportunities.org or call 216-566-5445
Applications Deadline May 1st, 2015 at 5pm

Homebound Food Assistance

The Greater Cleveland Food Bank provides food assistance to eligible residents in the Greater Cleveland Area. If
you need food assistance and are homebound there are programs available to help you. Please call the Greater
Cleveland Food Bank Help Center at 216-738-2067. All residents can check their eligibility and find local food
pantries by contacting the Help Center or visiting the Food Bank online at www.greaterclevelandfoodbank.org.

Scholarships For High School Seniors

The Ohio Association of Career Colleges & Schools has over 220 scholarship opportunities available to graduating
high school seniors through their Legislative Scholarship Program. The application can be found on
www.ohiocareercolleges.org or by calling (614) 487-8180. Applications are due April 10, 2015. A legislators signature
is required for your application, so plan ahead!

Update Your Voter Registration!

April 6th is the last day to update your voter registration before the May 5th primary. If you have changed your name
or address, you need to update your voter registration! You can update your voter registration electronically at
www.boe.cuyahogacounty.us or in person at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections at 2925 Euclid Avenue,
Cleveland, Ohio 44115. If you have questions the Board of Elections can be reached at (216) 443-VOTE (8683).

Please do not hesitate to contact the office of Senator Williams where assistance in a variety of areas
is available. Senator Williams and staff are always pleased to hear new ideas from constituents.
Senator Williams is also always happy to meet with local community organizations and schools
when possible. She can be reached at 614-466-4857 or Williams@ohiosenate.gov.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Senator Williams Introduces Address Confidentiality Program to Protect the
Addresses of Victims of Violence
State Senator Sandra Williams introduced Senate Bill 83,
the Address Confidentiality Program which would allow
Ohioans who fear their safety is threatened, to use a
placeholder mailing address and would prohibit the
disclosure of their address in the public record.
Thirty seven states already have similar address
confidentiality programs. These programs are crucial to
victims of violence because they remove the victims
address from the public record. By ensuring their
address is confidential, victims of violence are still able
to vote and own property without the fear that their
attacker will find them.
Under this legislation, the individual must be able to show that they or their children are being threatened. Any
individual who has been a victim of stalking or menacing, assault, sexual assault/battery, or domestic violence is
eligible for the program.
According to the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, 1 in every 6 women and 1 in every 33 men, has been a victim of
rape or attempted rape. 73% of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows, making protecting
the victims address crucial to prevent further unwanted contact.1 If you or someone you know is a victim of
sexual violence, please contact the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center at (216) 619-6192 or the Ohio
Alliance to End Sexual Violence at 216-658-1381 or 888-886-8388, for support and resources.
1

National Statistics About Sexual Assault. Cleveland Rape Crisis Center.

Important State Contact Information

Ohio Senate
www.ohioseante.gov
Legislative Information

800-282-0253

Department of Insurance
http://ohioinsurance.gov/
Consumer Hotline
800-686-1526
Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program
800-686-1578
Department of Jobs and Family Services
http://jfs.ohio.gov/
Veteran Services Division
800-253-4060
Unemployment Compensation Hotline 877-644-6562
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/
General Information

800-589-TAGS

Department of Public Safety

http://publicsafety.ohio.gov/
Highway Patrol
State Highway Patrol DUI Hotline

877-7-PATROL
800-GRAB-DUI

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio

http://www.puco.ohio.gov/
General Information

800-686-PUCO

Department of Taxation
http://tax.ohio.gov/
Form Requests
Individual Taxpayer Assistance

800-282-1782
800-282-1780

Department of Aging
http://aging.ohio.gov/home/
Golden Buckeye Card
Ombudsman/Elder Rights Unit

866-301-6446
800-282-1206