What happens in Congress makes a big impact on Ohio's public school students and educators, and when Rep. Greg Landsman is re-elected to represent the people of Ohio's 1st Congressional District, he has big plans for ensuring Ohio's public school students and educators can get what they need to succeed. The Cincinnati-area Congressman joins us for this episode to share more on the Every Child Education Act component of his broader "Our Great American Moment" legislative platform, how he wants to continue to work across the aisle on Capitol Hill, and why he says setting up young Ohioans for academic and economic success has to start well before their first day of Kindergarten. LANDSMAN ON THE ISSUES | Rep. Landsman is running for re-election in a newly redrawn district that stretches from Cincinnati through Warren and Clinton Counties - Click here for the latest on his campaign. Click here to read his full "Our Great American Moment" legislative platform, introduced in Congress in November, 2025. SUPPORTING STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, AND FAMILIES | The Every Child Education Act component of Landsman's legislative platform is rooted in early-childhood-development research, arguing that investment in the prenatal-through-early-childhood period has outsized long-term impact on educational and economic outcomes. Key provisions include: Expansion of paid family and medical leaveExpanded, subsidized access to childcare and preschoolAn additional funded year of preschool for children not yet kindergarten-readyExpanded access to prenatal care for expecting mothersIncreased teacher pay and expanded after-school/summer academic supportFull funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)Free two-to-four-year community college and trade school, paired with expanded financial aid and loan forgiveness LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PRO-PUBLIC EDUCATION, PRO-LABOR CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT | OEA members can click here to check out the list of all the OEA-member recommended candidates running for state and federal office. And listen to Season 7, Episode 2, starting around 28:55, for more on what goes into these candidate recommendations. SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK | If you'd like to share your thoughts on the Public Education Matters podcast, including your ideas for what you'd like to hear on future episodes, please email educationmatters@ohea.org. SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms. Click here for some of those links so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here. Featured Public Education Matters guest: Rep. Greg Landsman, OEA Member-Recommended Candidate for Ohio's 1st Congressional DistrictGreg Landsman serves as the U.S. Representative for Ohio’s First Congressional District.He is a proud father and husband who calls Cincinnati and Southwest Ohio home.Greg is a former teacher and son of teachers. He spent most of his career working on behalf of children and families, especially those who have been left out and left behind.Before joining Congress in 2023, Greg successfully led a ballot measure to make Cincinnati the first city in America to provide two years of quality preschool.He also served five years on Cincinnati City Council, where he led efforts to strengthen core services – from public safety to paving roads. Greg also led comprehensive eviction prevention reforms and new investments in children and families: prenatal care, childcare, affordable housing, and youth jobs.In his first term in Congress, Greg took on the Speaker of the House to force a vote on the Social Security Fairness Act. The bill finally passed after it had been sitting in Congress for 25 years. It returns $20 billion a year to public retirees – such as police officers, firefighters, teachers, and letter carriers.Greg has secured tens of millions of dollars for Southwest Ohio projects and hosted over 30 town halls and community conversations.He is a reformer, and one of only a few members of Congress who sold all their stocks because he believes members of Congress should not be trading stocks. Greg also suspended his pay during the government shutdown, and is a leading voice in banning dark money and getting big money out of politics.He serves as co-chair of the bipartisan What Works Caucus, co-founder of the Lowering Costs Caucus, and holds a leadership role in the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, where he works across the aisle to deliver real results.Greg earned his undergraduate degree from Ohio University and a master’s in theology from Harvard. He lives in Cincinnati with his wife, Sarah, and their two children, Maddie and Elijah. Connect with OEA: Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA on TwitterFollow OEA on InstagramGet the latest news and statements from OEA hereLearn more about where OEA stands on the issues Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative WatchAbout us: The Ohio Education Association represents approximately 115,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award-winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's public school students, including her own two children. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband, children, and cat, Davis, who is cute, but mean, which just makes her all the more lovable.This episode was recorded on August 24, 2026. In this episode:
