Democratic News

State Reps. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) and Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus) today issued statements saying the state’s failure to extend paid family and medical leave to all employees could pose a danger to public health should a coronavirus outbreak occur in Ohio. 

COLUMBUS—State Representative Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) announced today that the Ohio Tax Credit Authority has approved Job Creation Tax Credits for expansion projects with Checkpoint Surgical and Market Track LLC (Numerator). The projects will take place in Highland Hills, which is located in Ohio House District 12.

COLUMBUS— State Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) today announced the release of $1,436,391.82 in state funds for infrastructure improvements at the Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital.

COLUMBUS- Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) announced today that the Ohio Legislative Service Commission is accepting applications for its 13-month Legislative and Media Production Fellowship Program. The Commission will hire 24 fellows to work with members of the Ohio General Assembly during 2021.

COLUMBUS- Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) today announced that the Ohio EPA is now accepting grant applications for Water Quality Improvement projects for nonpoint source pollution affecting Ohio lakes and streams. Application materials must be received by March 16.

COLUMBUS—State Representative Michael J. Skindell (D-Lakewood) and Rep. Michael O’Brien (D-Warren) announced plans today to introduce a bill that would repeal House Bill 6. This bill follows news that Speaker of the House Larry Householder (R-Glenford) allegedly accepted tens of millions of dollars in bribes to pass it and prevent a referendum.   

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Michael J. Skindell (D-Lakewood) was presented this past weekend with a “2019 Legislator of the Year Award” in appreciation for his outstanding service, support  and leadership in government on behalf of Ohio’s veterans.

COLUMBUS— Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) President State Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) issued a statement on the FBI arrest and indictment of Ohio Speaker of the House Larry Householder:

COLUMBUS— House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement today following the federal charge of Speaker of the House Larry Householder (R-Glenford) in a $60 million bribery, racketeering case.

COLUMBUS— House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement today following the passing of civil rights icon John Lewis.

COLUMBUS— House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement today following Governor Mike DeWine’s veto of Senate Bill (SB) 55 which would have reduced the penalty for violating a public health order during a pandemic to a minor misdemeanor and smaller fine.

COLUMBUS— House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement today following Governor Mike DeWine’s evening address to the state of Ohio following eight straight days of over 1,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

State Representatives Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo), Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown), Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati) and Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) today sent a letter to Secretary of State Frank LaRose again urging him to include return postage on absentee ballot application forms and the absentee ballots themselves. State law prohibits boards of elections, but not the secretary, from paying return postage. COVID-19 cases have risen sharply in Ohio since the foursome last urged LaRose to take this step to encourage mail voting on June 18.

State Representatives Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) and Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) responded to statements made by Secretary of State Frank LaRose today at a Columbus bar suggesting he could not pay return postage for voters’ ballots and ballot applications without a law change. The Democratic lawmakers earlier sent him a letter along with Representatives Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown) and Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati)showing his authority to pay return postage and demanding he do so. 

COLUMBUS – State Reps. Jeffrey Crossman (D-Parma) and Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) today reiterated their call for Ohio Governor DeWine and the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) State Superintendent Paolo DeMaria to seek a federal waiver to cancel state assessments for the 2020-21 school year.

Democratic lawmakers, including Assistant Minority Leader Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus), Assistant Minority Whip Rep. Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester), Reps. Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus), David Leland (D-Columbus), Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville), Beth Liston (D-Dublin), and Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington), today urged support for international students attending Columbus-area colleges and universities. The move follows the Trump administration’s announcement last week that it would ban international students attending U.S. colleges in the fall if they take only online courses.