Democratic News

Ohio House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) held a community town hall Tuesday as part of the Ohio Promise Town Hall Tour, a statewide legislative town hall series hosted by House Democratic members. The purpose of the tour is to hear from constituents in their districts about their most pressing concerns, answer questions, and discuss the state budget, bipartisan priorities and a number of recent Democratic-led, legislative wins for working people and families.

State Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) today sent a letter to Board Members at the Lucas County Board of Elections to urge training of election officials and poll workers on new procedures for early voting that began earlier this year. Early voters now have the option to present Election Day-style voter identification or provide the last four digits of their Social Security Number.

House Democratic lawmakers today sent a letter* to Secretary of State Frank LaRose alerting him to new problems with the purge list and urging him to cancel the upcoming voter purge. Thousands of Ohio registered voters are being targeted for removal from the rolls at the beginning of September, many of whom are still eligible to vote. Last Thursday, community groups working to help find people on the purge list also raised problems with the process and the tools provided by the Secretary and asked for more time to help people stay registered.

State Reps. Sedrick Denson (D-Cincinnati), Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati), Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati) and Jessica E. Miranda (D-Forest Park) held a community town hall last Thursday as part of the Ohio Promise Town Hall Tour, a statewide legislative town hall series hosted by House Democratic members. The purpose of the tour is to hear from constituents in their districts about their most pressing concerns, answer questions, and discuss the state budget, bipartisan priorities and a number of recent Democratic-led, legislative wins for working people and families.

“I really appreciate People Working Cooperatively allowing us to use their beautiful space,” said Rep. Denson. “I enjoyed hearing the thoughts and concerns of those in attendance, and can’t wait to incorporate that into what I’m doing in Columbus at the Statehouse.”

State Reps. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) and Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) last week introduced new legislation, House Bill (HB) 316, that would allow family members, household members, or law enforcement officers to file for a court order temporarily preventing individuals considered to be an imminent danger to themselves or others from possessing firearms.

“In many instances of gun violence, there were clear warning signs the shooter posed a serious risk of injuring themselves or others with a firearm,” said Rep. Russo. “Extreme risk protection orders save lives by giving families and law enforcement time to quickly intervene before those warning signs escalate into tragedies, while also respecting Second amendment and due process rights.”

Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) and Dayton, Ohio Mayor Nan Whaley will host a town hall meeting on Thursday, August 15 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at the Dayton Metro Library, located at 215 E. Third Street in Dayton. 

State Reps. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) and Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) and Sen. Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland) today announced a town hall meeting TOMORROW, August 14at 4:45 p.m. at Fairhill Partners in Cleveland to discuss the state budget, bipartisan priorities and a number of recent Democratic-led wins for working people and families in Cleveland.

State Rep. Beth Liston (D-Dublin) this week introduced new legislation, House Bill (HB) 315, to require federally licensed firearms dealers to provide information about suicide prevention in hopes of decreasing the alarming statistics associated with gun-related fatalities.

“Over 50 percent of gun deaths in Ohio are the result of firearm assisted suicide,” said Rep. Liston. “I want to ensure that all gun owners are aware of the risks associated with firearms and are able to make informed decisions that are best suited for themselves and their families.”

State Rep. Phil Robinson (D-Solon), with joint sponsor Rep. Adam Miller (D-Columbus), yesterday introduced House Bill (HB) 317, titled the “Protect Law Enforcement Act,” or PLEA—legislation that would require all firearms transactions to be processed by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), closing the current loopholes in law that allow many guns sales to occur without a background check.

Just days after the tragic shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, members of American State Legislators for Gun Violence Prevention (ASLGVP) — a non-partisan coalition of legislators from across the country — joined legislative leaders from Ohio to call for enactment of common sense state laws to stop gun violence. Altogether, nearly 70 legislators from 23 states and the District of Columbia were present.