Ohio State Senators Hearcel F. Craig (D-Columbus) and Andrew Brenner (R-Powell) introduced legislation Tuesday, Feb. 23 to declare Juneteenth a paid state holiday in Ohio. Senate Bill 78 is a reintroduction of Senate Bill 334 from the past General Assembly, which passed unanimously through the Senate. 
 
Juneteenth, which began as a Texas holiday in 1980, is currently recognized in 47 states, including Ohio. However, Texas is the only state where Juneteenth is a state-paid holiday.

Last year, a federal movement to make Juneteenth a federal holiday gained some bipartisan support in Congress, and the governors of several states, including New York and Virginia, vowing to make Juneteenth a state holiday in their states.
 
“I was encouraged that the Senate passed this legislation last year, but we need to continue to work in the Ohio House to have it signed into law,” Craig said. “In doing so, we can position Ohio as a leader in the quest to honor Black history and the movement toward a more equitable world for all.”