Democratic News

State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) today issued the following statement regarding the news that Ohio will lose one of its sixteen seats in the U.S. House of Representatives according to U.S. Census data:

Members of the Ohio House Democratic Caucus elections and voting rights working group today responded to pending Republican legislation that would force people to provide two forms of Voter ID, reduce the number of days of early voting, shorten mail ballot access by a week and restrict ballot drop boxes.

State Rep. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo), Ranking Member of the Ohio House Ways and Means Committee, voiced opposition to House Bill (HB) 140, a misleading ballot language bill that would create more confusion in an attempt to modify how property tax levies are worded on the ballot. HB 140 was previously introduced during the 133rd General Assembly and was vetoed by Governor DeWine.

Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) and House Finance Committee Ranking Member Rep. Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus) today issued statements on the House passage of House Bill 110, the state’s two-year budget. House Democrats largely opposed the bill, saying it was a missed opportunity to invest in everyday Ohioans still struggling amid the health and economic crisis. 

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement on the verdict reached in the Derek Chauvin trial for the killing of George Floyd.

Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) President and State Rep. Thomas West (D-Canton) today announced that the OLBC will host a free webinar on implicit bias in healthcare on Monday, April 26 from 9-11 a.m. All healthcare professionals are invited to attend. Dr. Quinn Capers IV, M.D. will be the presenter.

Rep. Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus), the ranking Democrat on the House Finance Committee, today issued a statement on the latest omnibus version of House Bill (HB) 110, the state’s two-year budget, which cleared the Finance Committee Tuesday.

House Democratic lawmakers today unveiled a package of commonsense gun safety measures they say will work to curb gun violence and save lives in Ohio. The call comes amid a spike in gun violence and Ohio’s new no duty to retreat bill taking effect earlier this month.

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) and House Finance Committee Ranking Member Rep. Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus) today applauded the House passage of a $2 billion package of coronavirus relief bills to deliver direct aid for rent and utility assistance, childcare providers, bars, restaurants, lodging and schools, among other industries facing economic impact from the coronavirus pandemic. Democratic lawmakers also expressed concern over the months-long delay in the release of the funding, which they say slowed the state’s recovery.

State Rep. Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus) today gave sponsor testimony before the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee on House Bill (HB) 166, the Reagan Tokes Act, which addresses criminal sentencing and corrections.