Democratic News

House Democrats, led by Rep. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo), the Ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, voted in opposition Wednesday to House Bill (HB) 157, legislation that would prohibit the collection of income taxes from workers who aren’t physically in an office inside the city or village limits. 

State Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) yesterday joined legislators across the Midwest for the first meeting of the Forum on Social Justice’s Steering Committee. The purpose of the new nonpartisan forum is to provide legislators with opportunities to discuss and address a wide range of racial and social justice issues, including economic equity, systemic racism, discrimination, racial disparities in public health, education, corrections, police reform, voting rights, and more.

Democratic lawmakers walked out of the House Government Oversight Committee Thursday after the Republican chairman threatened to cut off testimony on House Bill 294, anti-voter legislation that would roll back ballot access and intentionally make the process more confusing for voters. 

Tuesday morning, alongside Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor, Ohio Legislative Black Caucus President State Rep. Thomas West (D-Canton), and a coalition of supporters, State Rep. David Leland (D-Columbus) announced the introduction of bipartisan bail reform legislation. 

Rep. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo), the Ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, released a statement Tuesday following the committee passage of House Bill (HB) 157, legislation that would prohibit the collection of income taxes from workers who aren’t physically in an office inside the city or village limits. The bill comes as many Ohio workers remain on work from home status amid the coronavirus pandemic.

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement on the passing of Otto Beatty Jr, a Columbus native and long-time state representative who served 18 years in the Ohio House.

Rep. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) criticized Republican lawmakers for limiting public testimony during Thursday’s meeting of the Unemployment Compensation Modernization and Improvement Council. Concerned Ohioans were barred from offering in-person testimony on their experiences with the state’s unemployment system during the coronavirus pandemic. The committee accepted only written testimony.

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement on Gov. DeWine’s announcement Wednesday that the state would end all health orders effective June 2 and roll out series of million-dollar drawings to random vaccinated Ohioans.

COLUMBUS—Today, the Ohio Democratic Women’s Legislative Caucus (ODWLC) hosted their virtual Women’s Lobby Day. The virtual event gathered participants from across the state to discuss policy solutions to the challenges Ohio women and families face.

Today, Rep. Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) announced that she will introduce legislation this week to strengthen transparency requirements in the redistricting process and help Ohio fulfill its duties under the fair redistricting reforms voters passed in 2015 and 2018.