Democratic News

Rep. Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus), the ranking Democrat on the House Finance Committee, today reacted to the latest version of House Bill (HB) 74, the state’s two-year transportation budget. Democrats had expressed concern over the governor’s proposal, which significantly cut public transit funds. Democrats on the Finance Committee had pushed for more transit funding in the bill in recent weeks.  The amended transportation budget includes $193.7 million in public transit funding over the next two years, a doubling the total investment from the governor’s initial proposal. 

Rep. Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus) today issued a statement as the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB), the panel tasked with overseeing the Ohio Statehouse grounds, voted to implement a new rule requiring any removal of a statue on the grounds first be subject to a five-year waiting period before a final vote can be taken. The measure comes as a number of groups pushed for the removal of a statue of Christopher Columbus on the West lawn of the Statehouse. A CSRAB member, Rep. Crawley voted against the measure.

COLUMBUS— State Reps. Jeff Crossman (D- Parma) and Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) testified today in the House Insurance Committee on House Bill (HB) 125, known as the Pre-Existing Condition Protection Act, which would enshrine protections for people with pre-existing conditions into Ohio law.  This effort became necessary due to persistent efforts by Republicans to negate Affordable Care Act (ACA) protections through federal legislation and ongoing litigation. Reps. Crossman and Lightbody filed the legislation on Feb. 16, 2021.

COLUMBUS—House Democrats, led by Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron), today unveiled “Ohio House Democrats - Working for You,” a roll-call style video highlighting the fight to restore Ohio’s promise of better lives, better jobs and brighter futures during the 134th General Assembly (GA) and beyond. In the video, Democratic lawmakers outline initiatives to expand opportunity for working people and middle class families and to deliver a plan to combat the virus and get Ohioans back to work safely.

State Rep. Jessica E. Miranda (D-Forest Park) reacted Monday to state lawmakers approving over $1 million to reimburse security-related costs incurred by the Ohio National Guard in response to threats of violence and civil unrest at the state capitol following the Jan. 6 attacks in Washington, D.C.

COLUMBUS— Ohio House Democrats today applauded the Ohio House passage of House Bill (HB) 2, a long-held Democratic priority that would create the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Program, specifically designed to bring broadband access to unserved residential households in both rural and urban areas of the state.

State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) joined her fellow lawmakers today to announce the most robust bipartisan and bicameral legislative push to abolish the death penalty and replace it with life without parole to date.

State Reps. Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood) and Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) today filed legislation for introduction to fund public transit in Ohio at $150 million annually, using a mix of State and Federal revenues.  The legislation seeks $100 million from Ohio’s General Revenue Fund and $50 million in revenue from Federal Highway dollars, known as Federal Flex dollars, annually over the two-year budget to go to transit.

House Democratic lawmakers Reps. Michael J. Skindell (D-Lakewood) and Michael O’Brien (D-Warren) testified before the House Public Utilities Committee today on House Bill (HB) 57, their legislation to repeal HB 6. The Democrats urged lawmakers on the panel to act swiftly to repeal the controversial corporate bailout legislation at the center of an FBI investigation into an alleged $60 million public corruption scheme led by then-Republican Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford), the largest corruption and money-laundering scheme ever in Ohio.

COLUMBUS — State Reps. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) and Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) today announced the introduction of House Bill (HB) 79, or the Caregiver Expenses Tax Credit.  Previously introduced as HB 454 in the 133rd General Assembly, this legislation would provide a tax credit of up to $1,000 for certain expenses incurred by a family caregiver for the care and support of a qualifying family member.  To qualify, the family member must be age 18 or over and require assistance with at least one activity of daily living.