In early June, advocates from Community Legal Aid, The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, and Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio represented Ohio’s Legal Aid programs on a trip to visit Ohio’s Congressional delegation in DC. Altogether, Legal Aid advocates met with both Ohio senators and 9 out of 15 Ohio US representatives. 

Our visit included meetings with Sen. Jon Husted, Sen. Bernie Moreno, Rep. Emilia Sykes and the legislative staff of Rep. Troy Balderson, Rep. Shontel Brown, Rep. Dave Joyce, Rep. Bob Latta, Rep. Max Miller, Rep. Mike Rulli, Rep. Dave Tayor

Legal Aid employees spoke with members of the Ohio Congressional delegation about a variety of topics including, constituent services, out of state landlords, mobile home park conditions and practices, housing crisis solutions, the use of AI to extend service capacity, the breadth of Legal Aid’s work, and more. 

Legislators and their staff responded positively to learning about Legal Aid and our work in their district, were interested in how to make referrals, wanted to get involved in some issues including holding out-of-state landlords accountable, and some pledged to keep an eye out for Legal Aid during the budget making process.