Ohio Democrats say taxpayers shouldering costs of false Springfield claims

(The Center Square) – Ohio Democrats believe false statements about Haiti immigrants in Springfield created millions of dollars in economic damage and significantly cost taxpayers.

In a letter to Gov. Mike DeWine, three state representatives blame former President Donald Trump and Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance for school closures, threats of violence, increased security measures, and the cancellation of community events.

All those things, they say, led to increased state taxpayer expense and closure of revenue-generating events.

“The spread of these fabrications led to state and local taxpayer resources being mobilized to address the tensions and the challenges that followed,” House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, Rep. Willis Blackshear, D-Dayton, and Rep. Adam Miller, D-Columbus, wrote in the letter. “Public safety personnel and city officials had to intervene to mitigate the situation, including but not limited to the deployment of additional emergency services and heightened security measures, which diverted attention and funds away from their usual responsibilities. It is concerning that Ohioans will have to bear the financial and social costs of addressing the disruptions caused by these baseless claims.”

Leading up to the presidential debate between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Vance spent a week saying refugees were stealing and eating the pets of Springfield residents. Trump repeated the false claims during the debate.

Springfield officials, DeWine and other state officials repeatedly debunked the claims, but Trump and Vance continued to promote them.

There were more than 30 bomb threats and threats of other acts of violence in the city, forcing schools, colleges and government offices to close.

DeWine ordered state troopers to post at each public school in Springfield.

“The spread of these fabrications led to state and local taxpayer resources being mobilized to address the tensions and the challenges that followed,” the letter says. “Public safety personnel and city officials had to intervene to mitigate the situation, including but not limited to the deployment of additional emergency services and heightened security measures, which diverted attention and funds away from their usual responsibilities. It is concerning that Ohioans will have to bear the financial and social costs of addressing the disruptions caused by these baseless claims.” the letter reads.

Before Trump and Vance pushed the falsehoods, the state had initiated programs to deal with the Haitian refugee population, which has grown since 2020 to around 15,000 in the city of nearly 60,000 under the Temporary Protected Status program.

The Temporary Protected Status program gives migrants whose home countries are considered unsafe to live and work in the United States.

DON’T MISS OUT

Be the first to know about the latest news, giveaways, events, and updates from The Black Chronicle!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

spot_img

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Early projection adds U.S. House seat for North Carolina

(The Center Square) – North Carolina population has exceeded...

Report: Wisconsin’s per capita total debt lowered from 2020 to 2022

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin went from $4,844 in...

Over 2M Americans could see expanded Social Security benefits

(The Center Square) — Congress concluded a decades-long effort...

National debt grew by $2.5 trillion in 2024; projected to rise

As 2025 approaches, America’s fiscal health is in serious...

Pritzker touts rising minimum wage as Illinois’ unemployment rate has increased

(The Center Square) – Illinois employers are bracing for...

Lawsuit filed against Minnesota for barring Christian schools from using program

(The Center Square) – A religious liberty group, Christian...

Bah, humbug! Rand Paul report details ‘waste’ in federal spending

Congress and federal agencies wasted more than $1 trillion...

More like this
Related

Early projection adds U.S. House seat for North Carolina

(The Center Square) – North Carolina population has exceeded...

Report: Wisconsin’s per capita total debt lowered from 2020 to 2022

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin went from $4,844 in...

Over 2M Americans could see expanded Social Security benefits

(The Center Square) — Congress concluded a decades-long effort...

National debt grew by $2.5 trillion in 2024; projected to rise

As 2025 approaches, America’s fiscal health is in serious...