Democratic News

Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement today after Senate Bill (SB) 157, the latest Republican anti-abortion bill, passed the Ohio House on a party-line vote. Opponents say SB 157 would put patients in danger by interfering with the ability for doctors and patients to make appropriate and life-saving medical decisions if faced with a medical crisis during pregnancy.

Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today announced her intention to step down from her caucus leadership position by the end of the year, capping a historic three-year tenure which saw unprecedented bipartisan success for Ohio Democrats and an increase in transparency of the legislative process for Ohio citizens. 

COLUMBUS—State Rep. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo), Chair of the Ohio Democratic Women’s Legislative Caucus, released a statement today after the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on the most important abortion case in decades. The case regards a Mississippi law that would ban abortion procedures 15 weeks after conception, effectively overturning Roe v. Wade. 

State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) today called on the House Criminal Justice Committee to hold legislative hearings on House Bill 367, known as Andre’s Law, which would require the use of body-worn cameras and dashboard cameras by peace officers, among other changes to increase transparency and accountability for police in Ohio. 

Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement as Gov. DeWine signed into law the Republican-passed partisan, four-year congressional district map that unduly favors GOP candidates 13-2. Leader Sykes and House Democrats sent a letter Thursday to the governor urging his veto of the gerrymandered map. 

Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today issued a statement as Republicans passed a partisan, four-year congressional district map that unduly favors Republican candidates 13-2. Leader Sykes and House Democrats sent a letter to the governor urging his veto of the gerrymandered map. 

COLUMBUS — State Reps. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) and Beth Liston (D-Dublin) today voted in opposition to House Bill (HB) 218, Republican-backed legislation that contains last-minute changes to prohibit schools, universities and employers from requiring students or employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. It would also bar public and private entities from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for any reason. 

COLUMBUS—Ohio House Democrats today condemned the Ohio House passage of House Bill (HB) 227, GOP-backed legislation that would gut public safety laws that currently require permits for people who carry hidden, loaded handguns in public.  

Democratic members of the Government Oversight Committee today voted in opposition to the Republican-backed congressional district map, which unduly favors GOP candidates 13-2. No public testimony was allowed on the partisan map, and when pressed by Democrats Wednesday, Speaker Cupp indicated Republicans had no intention of negotiating on fair maps with Democrats. After passing the Government Oversight Committee, the bill heads to the House floor for consideration.

COLUMBUS—State Rep. David Leland (D-Columbus) issued a statement today following the House passage of House Bill (HB) 99, legislation that would allow teachers and staff to be armed in schools. House Democrats voted against the extreme proposal.