Democratic News

House Democratic lawmakers today voiced opposition to House Bill (HB) 68, a Republican bill that would prohibit abortion as early as six-weeks into a pregnancy, long before most women know they are pregnant. The bill contains no exceptions for rape and incest and limited exceptions for the life and health of the mother. 

Ohio House Democratic Leader Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) today issued the following statement in response to Gov. DeWine’s proposed $2.4 billion gas tax increase:

“The governor’s proposed $2 billion tax increase is a tremendous amount of money for working people, families and seniors - people who have done everything right, but are now being asked to do even more. We’ll be evaluating the governor’s proposed tax increase and working with our Republican colleagues to determine a path forward that doesn’t overburden people living paycheck to paycheck. Ultimately, we have the responsibility to ensure that local communities can fix potholes, repair streets while providing necessary resources for public transportation.”

State Reps. Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood) and Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) today held a Statehouse press conference announcing legislation to increase state investments in public transportation. Ohio currently ranks near the bottom among states for public transportation funding.

Ohio House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today announced the appointment of Sam Herd as chief of staff for the House Democratic Caucus, making Herd the first woman in recent Ohio House history to serve as the highest staffer for either Democrats or Republicans.

“Sam’s leadership ability and depth of experience is a strong and invaluable addition to our team,” Sykes said. “I look forward to working with her to guide this caucus throughout the next two years as we seek to better the lives of working families and strengthen communities across Ohio.”

State Reps. Mike Skindell (D-Lakewood) and Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) will hold a press conference tomorrow, Wednesday, February 20, at 11:00 a.m. in the Senate Press Room at the Ohio Statehouse to announce legislation that would increase state investments in public transportation. Ohio currently ranks near the bottom among states for public transportation funding.

State Rep. John Rogers* (D-Mentor-on-the-Lake) today announced that the newly created Marsh Restoration Fund will receive $250,000 in state funds for the engineering, design and planning services for remediation of the Mentor Marsh, Ohio’s first natural landmark and one of the largest natural marshes along Lake Erie’s shoreline.  Yesterday, the state’s Controlling Board released these funds, previously approved in in the FY 2019-2020 biennial Capital Budget.  

“The Mentor Marsh is an important natural and historic landmark in Lake County and these dollars are the start of what will be a tremendous investment by Ohio in this project,” said Rep. Rogers. “This is just the beginning of the efforts toward restoring this area of the Marsh and ensuring this beautiful community asset lives on for future generations.”

House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today issued a statement following the finalization of committee assignments for the 133^rd General Assembly:

“I’m proud of the tremendous leadership and experience our caucus brings to the table on the issues that matter most to Ohioans. I’m confident we were able to put the right people in the right places to begin addressing the challenges facing our state. Taxpayers deserve a cooperative approach to commonsense policies that let all of our children, families and residents experience the full opportunity and promise of Ohio.”

Ohio House Democratic lawmakers today wrote a letter* to the Wright State University Board of Trustees urging them to come back to the negotiating table and work with teachers to put an end to the almost three-week faculty strike.

“As lawmakers, we want to attract talented workers to our state and provide them with the opportunities they need to build a life for their families here. Access to health care, fair compensation, safe working conditions and ensuring hardworking people have a seat at the bargaining table not only strengthens our workforce, but our entire state’s economy,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter.

In a speech to the Ohio House of Representatives Wednesday, newly elected Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) inspired her colleagues to look past themselves, politics and the walls of the Statehouse to work together for the people of Ohio. Sykes commended the Republican majority for meeting Democratic calls for bipartisan cooperation and reaffirmed her caucus’ commitment to working people and families in Ohio.

State Rep. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) held a press conference at the Ohio Statehouse today to announce Aisha’s Law, a bill to change how law enforcement agencies respond to domestic violence cases. The bill is named for Aisha Fraser, a former Shaker Heights sixth-grade teacher who was brutally murdered by her ex-husband, former state Rep. Lance Mason, in Nov. 2018 following years of domestic abuse.