Buckeye Reporter

Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) has recently traveled across several Ohio cities, including Findlay, Toledo, Marietta, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton and Akron, to meet with workers, small business owners, educators and health care professionals.

“Listening to and learning from employers, workers and educators about issues they face allows me to better represent them and their values in Congress. It’s my goal to bring Ohio values to Washington as we work tomake the American Dream more affordable and accessible to every Ohioan. Spending time with Ohioans is an essential part of representing our state in the U.S. Senate,” said Husted.

During his visits to educational institutions such as Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, Sinclair College, Ohio University and Washington State College of Ohio, Husted highlighted the expansion of Pell Grants for short-term career certifications. This change aims to make career education more accessible for low-income residents who may not have the resources or time for a traditional college degree.

“Throughout my visits, we discussed a common theme: how to set Ohioans on a path towards good jobs and rewarding careers—without the cost of the traditional college route. The Workforce Pell Grants that I helped pass into law this summer will help provide affordable career training for more workers to fill the jobs Ohio industries are creating. Employers today often need skills more than degrees, and these schools are working diligently to equip Ohioans for in-demand careers,” said Husted.

Dr.Jo Alice Blondin, president of Clark State College stated before Husted’s visit: “After years of determined advocacy, community colleges across the nation are celebrating a long-awaited breakthrough: Workforce Pell Grants are now law.”

She added: “This is a change that will help thousands of Ohioans gain the skills they need to launch rewarding, in-demand careers. We’re especially proud that Ohio played a key role in this achievement. Senator Jon Husted, newly appointed to his seat earlier this year, provided leadership on the Senate HELP Committee that was instrumental in advancing this important policy. Senator Husted’s leadership comes as no surprise to those of us in education and workforce development.”

Sandy Barber from the Ohio Association of Community Colleges commented: “The inclusion of Workforce Pell in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a major win for Ohio community colleges, students, and employers. For years, community colleges have advocated for the creation of Workforce Pell Grants to ensure short-term, high-quality training programs are eligible for federal financial aid. These programs help students quickly gain the skills and credentials they need to secure in-demand jobs, and expanding access to financial aid will open the door for more learners to benefit. We’re especially grateful to Sen. Jon Husted whose role on the Senate HELP Committee was critical to advancing this provision.”

Husted also met with local businesses such as Dorr Street Cafe employees; Diestsch Brothers Chocolates & Ice Cream team members; business leaders from Washington County and Hancock County; Dayton Area Chamber members; Teamsters members; and Eramet Marietta Inc., listening directly about their experiences within various industries.

“Hardworking Ohioans deserve to keep more of what they earn, and that’s exactly why I supported the working families tax cuts package. Making no tax on tips and no tax on overtime a reality helps workers and their families. At the same time giving businesses tax certainty and more ways to invest in their future and their employees supports good Ohio jobs,” said Husted.

In Findlay at Blanchard Valley Hospital—and during other meetings with rural healthcare providers—Husted discussed support for rural hospitals through increased Medicaid funding under new budget laws.

“Many Ohioans who live in rural parts of the state rely on the care they receive from rural hospitals. These important facilities are making health care accessible,and that’s why I worked so hardto support rural providersand boost their Medicaid funding,” said Husted.

Myron Lewis,presidentand CEOof Memorial Health System commented after meeting with him: “During my conversation with Senator Husted,hismessage was clear:rural doesn’t mean forgotten.He came notwith prepackaged solutions butwith questions curiosity,and an open ear.That kindof leadershipis rare—and it’s what we needmoreof.”

Scott Cantley,presidentand CEOof Memorial Health System wrote prior tothe visit:“I feel compelledto expand uponhow historicthis investmentisforourruralhospitals.” He continued,“I am proudthatOhio’sU.S.SenatorsJonHust edandBernieMoreno showedexactlywhateffective principledleadershiplookslikeinthe‘BigBeautifulBill’process.TheyworkedtosecurevitalchangesthatwillallowmyhospitalinruralOhiotobefairlycompensatedforitshighlevelsoftreatmentoffolksonMedicaid,andtoavoiddevastatingcutsthatwouldhaveresultedinclosedhospitaldoorsinruralOhio.Throughthe senators’effortsinWashington ,theyhelpedensurecriticalprovisionswereaddedtothebillthatwilldriverecordlevelsofMedicaidandfederalspendingonhealthcaretomycommunity.”

Cantley added:“Let me saythatagain:thisbillwillsendmorefederalinvestmentintohealthcareinmycommunitythanwehaveeverseenbefore.Mycommunitywillfeelthebenefiteverytimeachildgetslife-savingcareclosetohome,everytimealocalnursekeepshisorherjobandeverytimeahospital’sdoorsstayopen—thankstoOhio’sU.S.Senators.”

Mike Riordan,presidentand CEOof Premier Health also expressed gratitude,saying:“I wantto express heartfeltgratitudetoeveryonewhomadethispossible ,startingwithSenatorJonHusted.Hisleadershipwasinstrumentalinshapingandadvancingthislegislation.Becauseofhisefforts—andthecollectivewillofsomanyothers—Ohioisnowpoisedtoreceivemorethan$10billioninadditionalhealthcarefundingoverthe nextseveralyears.That’snotjustanumber.That’ salifelineforthefamilies,nurses,andphysicianswhorelyonanddelivercaredail y,”saidMikeRiordan,presidentandCEOofPremierHealth .

In Akron,HusteddetailedhisworkagainstlabortraffickingwhilemeetingwiththeSummitCountyCollaborativeAgainstHumanTrafficking.“Human trafficking is not a partisan issue.It’ sa human tragedy,andthatiswhyI’mleadingabipartisansolutiontorescuemorevictimsandbringtheirabuserstojustice.Becausethesecrimesoftengo unrecognized,mybillwouldhelpLaborDepartmentofficialsspotthesignsofhumantraffickingandalertlawenforcementtopotentialabuse,”explainedHus ted .

His bill,the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act,would require DepartmentofLaboremployeestobetrainedtoidentifyhumantraffickingincidentsatjobsitesandrefercases tol aw enforcement .