Training and Experience
Leo Almeida has more than 13 years of experience in government relations and policy advocacy at all levels of government. He has worked on legislation aimed at promoting economic development, expanding access to healthcare, increasing funding for public education, protecting the environment, promoting the development of renewable energy, preserving democracy and voter rights, and advocating for several social and racial justice issues.
Volunteer/Community Service
Leo Almeida is the President of the Board of Trustees for Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS), a local non-profit that provides resettlement assistance and other services. He also served on the Columbus Community Relations Commission.
I have noticed that the neighborhoods in this district have been forgotten because they are outside of the I-270 outerbelt. I am committed to being a champion for this area at the Statehouse. My main priorities include the following: 1) expanding affordable and high-quality healthcare by reducing the cost of life-saving treatments and medication; 2) promoting economic growth by investing in infrastructure improvements, connecting communities with passenger rail, and supporting businesses that move to our state and provide jobs for Ohioans; 3) increasing funding for public education and prioritizing teacher recruitment and retention; and 4) protecting our environment by reducing GHG emissions and increasing funding for clean water projects.
Having secure elections is important, but we should not be making it harder for people to vote. I will support legislation to allow for same-day voter registration, automatic voter registration at local BMV offices, additional weekends for early voting, more than one early voting location per county, and more than one absentee ballot box collection location.
Unfortunately, there are policies in place that are not business-friendly and make it more likely for businesses to look at other states. For example, the Legislature has made it more difficult to build new wind and solar energy projects. They allow local governments to prevent wind and solar developments in their area, but they do not give them local control over any other energy source. Most businesses have clean energy goals to reduce their carbon footprint and prefer to move their facilities to states with access to renewable energy. I would also support tax breaks for businesses that commit to hiring at least 70% of their employees from Ohio. I oppose policies that limit workers’ rights to unionize and collective bargaining.
I am a proud supporter of public education and teachers. I attended public schools as a child, and I am the first person in my family to graduate from college. I support increasing funding for public education in Ohio and raising teacher salaries to at least $50,000. I also support policies that will allow teachers to teach instead of having lesson plans that are too restricted by state standards developed by legislators instead of educators. I support making higher education, including trade schools and community colleges, more affordable and accessible. I also support providing more funding to higher education institutions.
Ohio is a home-rule state, yet the Ohio Legislature continues to pass legislation that preempts local government from passing regulations that they disagree with. The legislature has tried to limit local governments' ability to ban the use of plastic bags, regulate the sale of harmful products like tobacco, and even limit gun control policies. The state should only limit the power of local government in matters of public health and when a local government tries to take away a constitutional right of its residents.
I support making affordable and quality healthcare more accessible. The state has expanded Medicaid, but often considers legislation that changes qualifications for people who need Medicaid coverage. I do not support making it harder for people to qualify for Medicaid. I also support making life-saving treatments and medication cheaper, including setting a maximum price for insulin. Currently, prices for covered medical services are determined during negotiations between insurance plans and healthcare providers, but patients do not have negotiating power. I support funding for patient navigators to support people who need help understanding the medical system and insurance coverage.
I dedicated more than six years to working on policies related to climate change. I am passionate about continuing this work by supporting legislation to make developing renewable energy sources in Ohio easier. I also support legislation to reduce emissions from the energy, transportation, and agriculture sectors. As a climate change advocate and former member of the Ohio Climate Justice Fund's advisory board, I recognize that the state has not done enough to address climate justice. Therefore, I intend to focus on creating legislation that will promote sustainability and minimize the impact of climate change, especially on communities of color. I support repealing recent legislation that permits oil and gas drilling at state parks.
Racial justice is a top priority for me, and I will approach every piece of legislation through the lens of justice before deciding how to vote on it. Three years ago, I was appointed to serve on the Columbus Community Relations Commission. The Commission provided anti-discrimination programs throughout the city and had the ability to accept complaints of discrimination based on the protected classes, investigate those complaints, and provide solutions. I believe this model could be replicated in a state policy where the state provides local grants to municipalities that have declared racism a public health crisis and develop a program for investigating and addressing complaints of discrimination.
Training and Experience
Every lived experience I have leading up to today has prepared me to serve as Council President. I am a servant leader that meets people where they are and encourages them to become involved. I am a relationship builder and connecter that bridges gaps between residents and local government. I am a daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother that understands the challenges family face on a daily basis. Professionally I work for a nonprofit agency and support the entire staff.
Volunteer/Community Service
I am affiliated with are Columbus (Oh) Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Reynoldsburg Women's Civic Club, HEART Food Pantry, Reynoldsburg YMCA and Community Center, Empower Our Youth Foundation, Franklin County, Democratic Party
My priorities are to invest in and improve the state's rail infrastructure, focusing on both high-speed rail and local commuter systems. Second, I would like to see resources allocated to enhance the quality of education, ensuring equitable access to high-quality schools, updated curriculum, and modern learning technologies. Additionally, addressing senior healthcare is crucial, by expanding access to affordable healthcare services, strengthening support systems for seniors, and implementing programs that promote healthy aging. Lastly, I would foster a favorable business environment and promote economic growth through initiatives such as tax incentives, workforce development programs, and attracting new industries to the state.
To support voting and election policy in Ohio, several changes can be implemented. First, ensure easy access to voting by expanding early voting options and implementing no-excuse absentee voting. Promote voter registration and education through public awareness campaigns and partnerships with community organizations. Enhance transparency by requiring timely reporting of campaign contributions and expenditures. Implement redistricting reforms to ensure fair and competitive elections. Finally, prioritize the protection of voting rights by opposing voter suppression efforts and advocating for legislation that expands access to the ballot box for all eligible citizens.
First, focus on attracting and retaining businesses by offering incentives such as tax breaks, grants, and infrastructure development. Enhance workforce training and education programs to ensure a skilled and adaptable workforce that meets the needs of emerging industries. Invest in infrastructure projects to improve transportation networks, broadband connectivity, and utilities, making Ohio an attractive location for businesses. Foster innovation and entrepreneurship by providing support and resources for startups and small businesses. Promote collaboration between government, industry, and academia to drive research and development, leading to technological advancements and job creation.
We should provide equitable and high-quality learning opportunities for all students. In K-12 education, I aspire to see a comprehensive curriculum that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, preparing students for the challenges of the future. I also aim for inclusive classrooms that prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that all students have access to a supportive and enriching learning environment. In higher education, I aspire to see affordable and accessible education options, including vocational training, community colleges, and universities, that equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for successful careers.
The state should support or check local government in Ohio under certain circumstances to ensure accountability, fairness, and the overall welfare of its residents. Support from the state may be necessary when local governments lack the resources or expertise to address critical issues or provide essential services. This could include financial assistance, technical guidance, or sharing best practices. Additionally, the state should intervene and exercise checks on local government when there are instances of corruption, mismanagement, or violations of state laws or regulations. It is crucial to maintain a balance between local autonomy and state oversight to safeguard the rights and interests of Ohioans.
The state should prioritize comprehensive healthcare reforms that ensure equitable access to affordable and quality healthcare for all residents. Ohio should consider expanding Medicaid even further to provide coverage to a broader range of individuals and families, including those who fall within the coverage gap. Additionally, the state should invest in initiatives that promote preventive care, wellness, and disease management, with a focus on addressing the underlying social determinants of health. By implementing robust telehealth services and expanding broadband infrastructure, Ohio can enhance access to healthcare resources, particularly in underserved rural areas.
We should prioritize reducing carbon emissions, promoting clean energy sources, and encouraging energy efficiency. We should focus on protecting forests, wetlands, and water bodies, implementing responsible logging practices, preventing pollution, and promoting sustainable agriculture. Additionally, we should emphasize recycling and waste management to reduce landfill waste and promote a circular economy. By prioritizing these efforts, Ohio should aim to create a cleaner and healthier environment for current and future generations.
Government should actively enforce and uphold anti-discrimination laws, policies, and regulations to protect the rights and equal opportunities of all individuals. This includes actively investigating and addressing incidents of discrimination, providing legal support and resources for victims, and promoting diversity and inclusion in all areas of society. The government should also prioritize education and awareness campaigns to foster a culture of tolerance and respect while collaborating with community organizations and stakeholders to create safe and inclusive environments for everyone.
Training and Experience
Former President and Board Member Groveport Madison Schools, Retired Fire Lieutenant Columbus Division of Fire, Former Union President, Columbus Firefighters Local 67, Current Chair Ohio Police and Fire Pension Board, Small business owner
Volunteer/Community Service
Lifetime Member American Legion Post 283, and former Executive Board member
We need to ensure that when we are talking about affordable housing that we are also talking on ways to make the housing safe for the resident. We need to close loopholes where out of state property owners can get away with leaving properties in disrepair and do nothing about crime in their complexes.
The state needs to work on raising the minimum wage to ensure that every worker is making a livable wage.
The voters in Ohio voted to ensure women's reproductive healthcare is protected. The General Assembly needs to be respectful of the voters and stop the continuous bills that would limit a woman's access.
I will also be an advocate to our Veterans and Seniors to ensure they have the resources they need including healthcare.
Our elections need to be safe, fair, and accurate. I oppose the tougher voter ID laws that were passed in the last few years, as it makes access to the ballot harder for vulnerable communities like seniors, and those with disabilities. We did not have voter fraud issues with the previous voter ID requirements, and I feel this law was passed to make citizens question the validity of our elections.
Ohio has been bringing opportunities to our state, but we also need to be working with the communities that these businesses are going into to ensure the proper amount of housing exists, and we are not cutting resources to public services like fire and police departments. It has been said that a company will not open somewhere unless they will want to live there. So, we need to ensure that our communities of all sizes are thriving.
We need to make sure that every child has the education necessary to prepare them for life. The funding formula for our schools was deemed unconstitutional years ago, yet nothing has been done to correct it. This leaves schools going to the voters to get more funding, which is getting increasingly tougher, or having to cut programs for our children that are vital for their development.
Local governments undergo audits, if there is a sign of fraud, mishandling of funds, or wrongdoing then the state should go after them until the problems are resolved or the wrongdoers are held accountable.
Access to healthcare should not be a privilege it should be a right. We need to make sure that all Ohioans have access to quality, affordable healthcare.
The state needs to invest more in renewable energy sources and move away from coal for our electric source. A lot of the moves made almost 20 years ago by the General Assembly were reversed in the law that was passed for First Energy. Unfortunately, even after we learned that this law was scandalous nothing has been done in reversing that law.
I applaud the current grant program offered by the Ohio EPA to reduce chloride in our waterways, but there was not enough funding provided for this program as many of our communities (especially smaller communities) need ways to control how much salt or brine is being put on the roads, and proper storage.
We need to review laws, especially in sentencing, that have been deemed discriminatory and remove them. We need to protect those being discriminated against, especially if there is a threat of violence. We can teach diversity and inclusion to try to end the stereotypes that often times leads to discriminatory behavior.
