kentsmith.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

Yesterday in Senate Transportation Committee we talked about the advantages of concrete and asphalt. I love them both! Which is why I named these two Concrete and Asphalt! Look how well they get along.

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

Senate Bill 1 is the biggest threat to unions and collective bargaining since 2011. That's the topic of ICYMI from February 22nd. => www.ohiosenate.gov/members/kent...

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

After taping a segment for this Sunday's In Focus with Mike Kallmeyer show, I was able to say Hello to award winning Spectrum News Anchor and Reporter Taylor Bruck. A few years ago Taylor did a story about Cleveland's Burning River Roller Derby team and I have been a fan ever since.

submitted 8 days ago • 1 comment

I asked about this in Senate Transportation Committee today. => www.nbc4i.com/news/your-lo...

submitted 9 days ago • 0 comments

It really is a lovely place to work.

submitted 9 days ago • 1 comment

This morning I was able to represent the Ohio Senate during a visit to the Friendship Circle's Presidents Day camp. The kids said I was their favorite President.

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

Yesterday was another example of why Cleveland Hts is such a great city. In the midst of a winter storm, over 200 people of all ages came out for the rededication ribbon cutting of the Coventry Peace Park.

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

Saturday night, Rep. Abdullahi and I had the privilege of representing the Ohio House and Senate at the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America, North East Ohio Chapter. At the event, we were both able to meet the Consulate General of Pakistan.

submitted 12 days ago • 0 comments

Yesterday afternoon, Senator Nickie Antonio and I spoke at a press conference with college students and university professors to denounce the passage of the union busting Senate Bill 1. While there I reconnected with longtime pal Professor Kate.

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

Despite 98% opposition, this week Ohio Senate Republicans passed legislation that is both a far right wing takeover of Ohio universities AND the worst assault on unions in decades. We discuss it here. => ohiosenate.gov/members/kent...

submitted 14 days ago • 1 comment

Our ICYMI from February 8th is the Ohio budget timeline and my top 5 priorities. => ohiosenate.gov/members/kent...

submitted 14 days ago • 0 comments

Today I visited with members of the Ohio Student Association who were in the Capitol to testify against Senate Bill 1 - the Ohio Higher Education Destruction Act.

submitted 17 days ago • 0 comments

No one lets go of anyone’s hand.

submitted 20 days ago • 101 comments

Today the Cleveland Heights Democratic Club hosted a Resistance Fair and there was a line out the door to get inside.

submitted 20 days ago • 2 comments

Today I was proud to represent the Ohio Senate at a meeting between Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and the Cuyahoga County legislative delegation.

submitted 21 days ago • 0 comments

Today there were 50 Protests in 50 State Capitals across the nation. I was able to join and visit with some of the activists who showed up in Columbus. As someone who is in elected office, please continue to make your voice heard. Our country needs you more than ever.

submitted 23 days ago • 2 comments

Last night I attended Congresswoman Shontel Brown's District Address. During which she highlighted the potential impact to residents of her District if cuts are made to Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and SNAP. I will be watching those potential cuts closely aswell because our district's overlap.

submitted 24 days ago • 0 comments

Beyoncé won the Grammy for best country album, becoming the first Black artist to achieve the feat. “I think sometimes ‘genre’ is a code word to keep us in our place as artists,” she said, “and I just want to encourage people to do what they’re passionate about.” nyti.ms/3PZvgOW

submitted 26 days ago • 73 comments

Momma Cat's reaction to surviving January 2025.

submitted 27 days ago • 0 comments

The Ohio GOP has re-introduced legislation that will harm our colleges and universities. The Plain Dealer described it as "Misdirected Micromanagement". Hear what else Senate Bill 1 is in this week's ICYMI Statehouse Edition. => ohiosenate.gov/members/kent...

submitted 28 days ago • 0 comments

Call your members of Congress including your US Senators.

submitted 30 days ago • 0 comments

This afternoon I was able to join Congresswoman Shontel Brown and fellow members of the Ohio General Assembly at the opening of an updated facility being used by the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and The Centers at East 105th and Superior.

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments

Here is our latest ICYMI Statehouse Edition about new developments in Ohio energy policy for the week ending Jan. 25th. => www.ohiosenate.gov/members/kent...

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments

This morning I joined other NEOhio legislators for a presentation and tour of the Cleveland Institute of Art. Shout out to Kathryn Heidemann for her leadership of CIA.

submitted 35 days ago • 0 comments

Today, Rep. Rader and I (and others active in the clean energy policy space) met with leaders from the British Consulate office including Consul General Richard Hyde to see if Ohio and Great Britain could develop working partnerships in the new energy economy.

submitted 36 days ago • 0 comments

President Trump commuted sentences of Proud Boys and Oath Keepers leaders as he pardoned over 1,000 January 6 US Capitol rioters. cnn.it/42lnCpy

submitted 39 days ago • 215 comments

Sen. Raphael Warnock holds the same pulpit Martin Luther King Jr. once preached from. He told Morning Edition that "your life's project should be longer and larger than your lifespan."

submitted 39 days ago • 98 comments

I have it on good authority that this is the actual crown that will be awarded to the Ohio State Buckeyes football team if they win the National Championship tonight. #GoBuckeyes

submitted 39 days ago • 0 comments

I love this, from Cecile Richards: “It’s not hard to imagine future generations one day asking: ‘When there was so much at stake for our country, what did you do?’ The only acceptable answer is: ‘Everything we could.’” Rest well. ♥️

submitted 40 days ago • 17 comments

Last night, I was proud to represent the Ohio Senate at the 45th annual Cleveland Orchestra's Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Concert. At the event, I was able to welcome 5 new State Reps to the 136th Ohio General Assembly. L to R: Dovilla, Thomas, Workman, Synenberg, and Rader.

submitted 39 days ago • 0 comments

On Jan 8th, the Ohio GOP Chairman admitted that the Republican strategy to defeat Issue 1 was to lie. It's our topic for the Jan 18th ICYMI. => www.ohiosenate.gov/members/kent...

submitted 42 days ago • 2 comments

Here is our ICYMI link from Jan. 11th where we announced our Rules For The Road Ahead. => www.ohiosenate.gov/members/kent...

submitted 42 days ago • 1 comment

Last night I was able to join my colleagues for a party in honor of our departing friend Senator Vernon Sykes. Senator Sykes began serving in the Ohio Legislature when I was in high school. Since that time there was always a member of the Sykes family in the Legislature until January 1, 2025.

submitted 44 days ago • 0 comments

Here is the Spectrum News report about our Rules For The Road Ahead press conference that we held last week. Shout out to Jenna Jordan for her reporting. => spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/...

submitted 46 days ago • 0 comments

NEW: Private letters reveal the strategy behind the decadeslong quest — successful in 12 states and counting — by politicians, church officials and activists to make taxpayer-funded school vouchers available not just to the poor but to the wealthy. With @newyorker.com propub.li/3Py4xsB

submitted 47 days ago • 27 comments

NEW: Following our deep dive into Ohio Republican leadership's effort to cut public school spending, half a dozen GOP reps. reached out, vowing to protect education. But Gov. DeWine would not commit to supporting the plan. @ohiocapitaljournal.com www.news5cleveland.com/news/politic...

submitted 50 days ago • 0 comments

Hang on to your wallets Ohio, The Ohio GOP may be trying to pass legislation to benefit the investor owned utilities... again. We explain here => www.ohiosenate.gov/members/kent...

submitted 49 days ago • 0 comments

Joy Kennedy has been a great friend for a long time and now she is a Judge. Congratulations Judge Joy! It was an honor to be able to join you tonight for your oath of office.

submitted 50 days ago • 0 comments

Yesterday, I held a press conference where we announced our Rules For The Road Ahead. Styled after Pete Buttigieg's Rules of the Road from his 2020 campaign, our Rules are ten principles that indicate what we stand for and how we will do our job & a modern approach to collaborative leadership.

submitted 50 days ago • 3 comments

I have 2 important announcements. 1. Tomorrow at 11am, I will unveil our 10 Rules For The Road Ahead. It's modeled after the Rules of the Road from the 2020 Pete Buttigieg campaign. It will be broadcast on The he Ohio Channel. 2. I am going to attempt to give multiple cats a bath tonight.

submitted 52 days ago • 2 comments

Today was Day One of Ohio's 136th General Assembly where I was sworn in as the Democratic Whip. My special guests included my Mom and Brian Pearson, the Executive Secretary of the North Shore AFL-CIO. But the highlight was Shelby meeting Brutus Buckeye.

submitted 53 days ago • 0 comments

On this day in 2017: Joe Biden swears in then-Senator Kamala Harris.

submitted 57 days ago • 4 comments

My Top 9 for 2024 included a new EV, a Valentine's Day greeting from The Cuddler, and a bunch of Democrats. I hope to see you all in 2025.

submitted 58 days ago • 0 comments

Built by Jimmy Carter ❤️

submitted 60 days ago • 401 comments

More photos taken last night of the 100th anniversary of the Nela Park holiday light display.

submitted 59 days ago • 0 comments

Tonight, Nichole and I were able to take in the 100th anniversary of the Nela Park lights where we took a photo together and Nichole gave Santa a High Five.

submitted 60 days ago • 0 comments

At a PopTart Bowl watch party with special guest Sue Durichko.

submitted 62 days ago • 0 comments

Do you think Ohio Republicans are more like Scrooge or more like The Grinch? We discuss it here. => www.ohiosenate.gov/members/kent...

submitted 63 days ago • 0 comments

Homelessness in the United States soared to the highest level on record, government data shows

submitted 63 days ago • 67 comments

The Ohio Poverty Law Center is praising a law passed in the lame-duck session that's intended to reduce the huge number of Ohioans whose driver's licenses are suspended because of unpaid debts or drug offenses. The bill awaits Gov. Mike DeWine's signature.

submitted 63 days ago • 3 comments