Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes is one of a select group of University of Florida alumni named to this year’s prestigious “40 Gators Under 40.” The annual awards program was established in 2006 to recognize alumni under the age of 40 whose achievements positively reflect The Gator Nation. Criteria for the competitive award include making a significant impact on the candidate’s industry and having civic or professional accomplishments at the state, national or international level.
Democratic News
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House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) recognizes April 7th as World Health Day. Since taking effect in 1950, this day has been celebrated across the globe to create awareness for various health issues. Spanning from mental health, climate change, maternal and child care, and more, World Health Day provides an opportunity for countries to come together to focus on global health priorities. This year, the World Health Organization is pushing to eliminate health inequities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rep. Miranda, Sen. Thomas announce creation of bicameral Ohio Gun Violence Prevention Caucus
Caucus' purpose is to raise awareness and advocate gun safety measures in Ohio
State Rep. Jessica E. Miranda (D-Forest Park) and State Senator Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati) announced the creation of the bicameral Ohio Gun Violence Prevention Caucus. An invite has been sent out to all Ohio House and Senate members to participate in the legislative caucus focused on advancing commonsense gun safety measures in Ohio.
ICYMI: Rep. Weinstein pens column calling for repeal of Ohio's "shoot first" law
Says no duty to retreat will make deadly confrontations more common
State Rep. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) penned an OpEd in the Akron Beacon Journal this week in which he called for the repeal of Ohio’s new no duty to retreat law, which passed in December 2020 and is set to take effect Tuesday, April 6. Rep. Weinstein is a co-sponsor of legislation, House Bill (HB) 38, which would repeal the controversial law.
Leader Sykes calls for repeal of Ohio's "shoot first" law
Says no duty to retreat will make deadly confrontations more common
House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today called on Statehouse leaders to repeal Ohio’s new no duty to retreat law, which passed in December 2020. Democratic-sponsored legislation, House Bill (HB) 38, would repeal the new shoot first law that takes effect Tuesday.
As pregnancy related deaths rise in Ohio, Sykes looks to raise maternal mortality awareness
House bill will designate May Maternal Mortality Awareness Month
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.”
House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) recognizes the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Officially observed in 2001, this year marks the 20th anniversary, but the sexual assault prevention movement has its roots dating back to the early-mid 1900s with Black women and Women of Color at the forefront. Sexual Assault Awareness Month is aimed to spread awareness about sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. This year, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center is promoting the education of digital consent and how to create a safe space online.
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.
Dem lawmakers renew call for repeal of "shoot first" legislation as law to take effect April 6
Say no duty to retreat will make deadly confrontations more common
With Ohio’s new no duty to retreat law set to take effect Tuesday, Democratic Reps. Adam C. Miller (D-Columbus) and Thomas West (D-Canton) today renewed their call to Statehouse leaders to pass House Bill (HB) 38, their legislation to repeal Ohio’s new “shoot first” law, which passed in December 2020.
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.
Rep. Crawley urges maximum relief for Ohio townships
Says making American Rescue Plan funds available to townships crucial to recovery
Today, Rep. Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus) issued a statement urging U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to ensure that the distribution of federal funding from the recently passed American Rescue Plan (ARP) be eligible to towns and townships across the country, including Ohio’s more than 1,300 townships. She said making ARP funds available to townships is crucial to Ohio’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
Dem lawmakers unveil paid family leave bill
Say bill puts families first, allows Ohio businesses to attract, retain top talent
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.
Reps. Fedor, Kennedy Kent provide testimony for Ohio Health Security Act
House Bill 440 will establish a single-payer health care plan for all Ohioans
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.”
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