Democratic News

State Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today announced legislation that would designate the month of May in Ohio “Maternal Mortality Awareness Month” to recognize the Ohio mothers who die each year from pregnancy related complications.

The number of Ohio mothers who die from pregnancy related complications has increased threefold from a decade ago. The average death rate in 2016, according to the Ohio Department of Health, is 85 women per 100,000 live births.

“Ohio has the opportunity to be a leader in maternal mortality awareness,” said Sykes. “By designating a month for awareness, we will bring light to the various causes of maternal mortality, develop new ideas and protocols to limit and eliminate pregnancy related death, and show the women of Ohio that the state supports their health and well-being during and after pregnancy.”

State Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) and Toledo native and feminist icon Gloria Steinem today issued the following statements on the politically motivated closure of Toledo’s Capitol Care Network, a healthcare facility that provides abortion care:

"I was born and grew up mostly in Toledo. Later, when I needed an abortion -- as has one in three American women at some time in our lives -- I was in London, where it was safe and legal. This taught me why medical procedures should not be decided by politicians.

“We must not allow a political regulatory scheme to close Toledo’s remaining abortion clinic. Its absence would not diminish the number of abortions but would increase the injury and death of women in my home city and state. Democracy begins with each person's control of his or her own body. Without reproductive freedom, there is no democracy for America women.

“I strongly urge ProMedica and St. Luke's Hospital to safeguard women's health by signing the transfer agreement needed to keep safe, legal abortion services available in Greater Toledo.  Ohio hospitals must not allow themselves to be used by politicians to hurt women’s health.”—Gloria Steinem

“The Ohio Supreme Court ruled against the reproductive rights and health of Ohio women by upholding a regulatory scheme designed to close Toledo’s only remaining abortion clinic. I know that if this clinic closes, women in northwest Ohio will suffer. I urge ProMedica and St. Luke's Hospital to safeguard women's health by signing the transfer agreement needed to keep abortion services safe and legal in the Toledo area. We can’t let politicians use Ohio hospitals to eliminate a safe, constitutional medical procedure.” —Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo)

Following months of negotiation, the Ohio House today passed Senate Joint Resolution 5, bipartisan legislation that puts a constitutional amendment before voters in May to restrict congressional gerrymandering in the state. 

“After months of negotiation, thousands of Ohioans speaking out, and several false starts, we’re closer to stopping congressional gerrymandering today than we have ever been before. Though imperfect, this latest plan represents one of the most fundamental tenets of our American democracy – compromise,” said House Democratic Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton). “We support this plan today, with the hope and expectation that it will help impart that same spirit and guiding principle of cooperation on Washington in the near future.”

Democratic House expressed concerns over several parts of the proposed plan that they see as loopholes that, in extreme cases, could still allow partisan congressional district rigging. Ultimately, most Democrats still supported the final language in the resolution.

Each February, Black History Month raises awareness about the significant portion of the American story that African Americans have authored. From science and business to literature, the arts and public service, Black History Month highlights the struggles and triumphs of our nation.

State Reps. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) and Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus) today announced legislation to establish the Ohio Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program, which would provide economic stability to working families in times of a medical emergency, when caring for a sick loved one, or welcoming a newborn into the family. While federal law provides some workers the ability to take leave, it does not provide those workers with any guarantees that they will have compensation while on leave.

State Reps. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) and Bernadine Kennedy Kent (D-Columbus) today provided sponsor testimony for House Bill (HB) 440, known as the Ohio Health Security Act, to establish a single-payer health care plan in Ohio. Medical, dental, mental health and vision services will be covered under the bill and payments to health care providers for all eligible services will be made from a single fund called the Ohio Health Care Fund.

“It is time to focus on patients, not profits,” Fedor said. “Health is a human right. The Ohio Health Security Act provides security, freedom, choice, stability, and certainty. No more guessing games, no more living one slip and fall away from bankruptcy.”

State Rep. Jack Cera (D-Bellaire) and state Sen. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron), the Democratic members of the legislature’s redistricting working group, released the following statement in response to the Republican plan released this evening:

“The Republican plan released tonight only makes cosmetic changes to a plan that writes gerrymandering into our state constitution. After lengthy discussions and significant public input, it is clear Republicans will not take the necessary steps to end partisan gerrymandering once and for all.

“By rejecting suggestions to keep communities together and require bipartisan support for new districts, Republicans are rejecting the bare minimum standards needed for real reform and diluting the power of voters. Ultimately, we feel we have the responsibility to listen to the Ohioans who have spoken out and demanded real reform.”

In Democrats’ continued push for real bipartisan congressional redistricting reform, Senate Democratic Leader Kenny Yuko (D- Richmond Heights) and House Democratic Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton) today released the following joint statement calling for continued negotiations:

“Democrats in the Ohio General Assembly are committed to ending gerrymandering once and for all. That’s why we agreed to join the redistricting working group in the first place, because bipartisanship should be the foundation of the redistricting process.

“Democrats are committed to requiring strong bipartisanship and stopping communities from being split apart to favor one party over another.

“Unfortunately, the Republican plan would only change the way a majority party could manipulate districts in the future. In fact, the GOP proposals would continue the problem of unfair congressional districts by writing gerrymandering into our state constitution.

“We want the citizens of Ohio to know that Democrats in the legislature remain dedicated to achieving meaningful reform. There is still time to negotiate and reach an agreement.”

State Rep. Nickie J. Antonio today responded to reports of victims of sexual harassment being publicly shamed and mocked by male legislators in front of some 100 legislators, lobbyists and staff Tuesday night at a staff going-away celebration on capitol square.

“Politicians who think it’s alright to publicly degrade, humiliate and make light of victims who have been sexually harassed and preyed upon by elected officials are part of the problem in America.

As state lawmakers debate Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 5, a Republican-led proposal to change the way Ohio draws its legislative districts, the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus today urged state lawmakers to consider amending the bill to address concerns many voting rights and redistricting reform experts have regarding SJR 5.

“Gerrymandering has turned the idea of the ballot box being America’s great equalizer on its head, allowing politicians to choose their voters rather than having voters choose their politicians,” said OLBC President and state Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland). “SJR 5 only makes what’s wrong with current law worse. SJR 5 keeps the authority to redraw districts within the state legislature and eliminates key controls that seek to end rigged districts and give Ohio voters fair representation.”