Democratic News

Ohio House Democratic Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton) today released a letter* sent to Governor-elect Mike DeWine that applauds the incoming governor’s commitment to unifying the state and working with Democrats and Republicans to bring about meaningful change to benefits all Ohioans.

“I am compelled by your uniting words to find common ground on common sense policies that grow our economy, better our educational outcomes, and protect healthcare,” Strahorn wrote in the letter.

The House leader sees the final weeks of legislative session as an opportunity to give the incoming administration a head start on important issues like strengthening Ohio manufacturing, taking on the opioid crisis, and giving Ohio students the opportunity they need to succeed in the workforce.

State Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) today recognized the month of November as National Family Caregivers Month. The Family Caregiver Alliance defines a family caregiver as “any relative, partner, friend or neighbor who has a significant personal relationship with, and provides a broad range of assistance for, an older person or an adult with a chronic or disabling condition.” This year’s theme is “Supercharge Your Caregiving” to highlight how family members can utilize support tools to improve the quality of life for their loved one and make their job easier as a caregiver.

“It can be challenging caring for a relative while completing daily tasks. Luckily, with the advent of new technology to check vital signs, access online patient records, and connect with support groups, these challenges can be decreased.” said Sykes. “In the General Assembly, it is important we recognize the work of family givers and provide support to services such as respite care.”

State Rep. Dan Ramos (D-Lorain) last Thursday called on state leaders to follow the longstanding Ohio law that recognizes Election Day from noon to 5:30 p.m. as a legal state holiday in the Buckeye State. The legal holiday designation for Election Day was reaffirmed in 1953, but has been state law for 128 years, dating back to Gov. James Edwin Campbell’s signature of Senate Bill 174 in the 69^th Ohio General Assembly.

“The fact is that part of Election Day has been a legal holiday in Ohio for 128 years.  We simply have not been following the law,” wrote Ramos in a letter to Gov. John Kasich and Republican legislative leaders.* “I am requesting that you use the power of your office to follow Chapter 5.20 of the General Provisions of the Ohio Revised Code to close state offices not related to elections on Election Day at noon.”

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.