Mayor Andrew J. Ginther today announced Elon Simms will serve as his next chief of staff. Simms will succeed Ken Paul who, earlier this month, was named executive director of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority. The transition will occur in early 2024.
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther today released his proposed 2024 General Fund budget – the largest-ever in city history. Through sound fiscal management aimed at mitigating the continued financial fallout of the pandemic – and the growth of high-paying jobs contributing to robust income tax revenues – the city is presenting a balanced budget totaling $1.19 billion for programs, services and priorities benefiting Columbus residents and neighborhoods while further bolstering the city’s Rainy Day Fund.
On November 2 Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and Franklin County Commissioner John O’Grady announced a joint commitment of $20.2 million to Smart Columbus on behalf of the Franklin County Digital Equity Coalition. These important funds will lessen the digital divide in our community, ensuring all under-resourced residents have greater access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet, and the digital resources necessary to live, learn, and earn online.
Today Council President Shannon Hardin and President Pro Tem Rob Dorans were joined by Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and the Central Ohio Hospital Council (COHC) to announce a uniquely Columbus solution to forgive $335 million in medical debt for Columbus residents.
The Columbus Office of Violence Prevention, in partnership with the Columbus Division of Police, will host a gun buyback drive-thru event on Saturday, September 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot at Trinity Baptist Church, 461 St. Clair Avenue. Submissions will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and completely anonymous; no IDs are required to turn in a firearm.
Temperatures are forecasted to be in the 90s starting today through Friday. The City of Columbus reminds residents that Community Centers are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. A list of community centers can be found here.
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, Columbus City Councilmember Shayla D. Favor and other community leaders today celebrated the grand opening of new affordable housing units at Town Square Station. This is the first rental housing development built in collaboration with the Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT), which will maintain ownership of the land and guarantee the long-term affordability of every unit.
Columbus residents now may use three new drop-off locations that collect food waste for composting, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and the Department of Public Service announced at a ribbon-cutting today. The facilities aim to help decrease the nearly 1 million pounds of food waste dumped at the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill every day.
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, Columbus City Council President Shannon G. Hardin and other community leaders today announced $2 million in funding for the Success Bridge program at Columbus State Community College. The program provides students experiencing housing instability with housing counseling, success coaching and emergency rental assistance, so they may stay stably housed while pursuing their studies.
On August 3, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement following the passing of Ohio resident and civic leader, Mrs. Nancy King:
The City of Columbus Department of Public Safety has been awarded a $1 million grant from the State of Ohio for a recruiting and marketing program to attract first responders. The grant is part of the Ohio Department of Public Safety Ohio First Responder Recruitment, Retention, and Resilience program.
On Monday, July 17, the City of Columbus launched a new, fresh and innovative design on its website, Columbus.gov. This new website features a modern look and feel, improved mobile compatibility and enhanced search functionality. In addition, the website has been better organized so that users can access the services and information they need more quickly.
First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden visited Columbus today to launch the Workforce Hub initiative, ensuring students and workers have access to good-paying jobs created by President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
On May 31, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act, H.R. 3746. Immediately following the vote, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement
The City of Columbus, through its Department of Public Utilities’ Division of Power, broke ground today on the Parsons Avenue solar project – one of two new solar projects that will provide 45 MW of additional clean energy to Division of Power customers.
To conclude Financial Literacy Month, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) and Congressman Mike Gallagher (WI-08) last week introduced the Student Empowerment and Financial Literacy Act, a bill that would create a grant program within the Department of Education to promote financial literacy programs in K-12 schools.
On April 27, Congressional Financial Literacy and Wealth Creation Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) and Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced a resolution, H. Res. 291, in the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize April as ‘Financial Literacy Month.’
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03) and Congressman Mike Carey (R-OH-15) today announced the re-launch of the Congressional Civility and Respect Caucus.