Democratic News

Ohio House Democratic lawmakers today announced they will push for a better state transportation budget that brings more taxpayers dollars home to local communities throughout the state.

The priorities members are considering for House Bill (HB) 62, the state’s two-year transportation budget, include lowering the Republican proposed gas tax hike, phasing in any gas tax increases, increasing local public transit, and directing more resources to local communities instead of state agencies in Columbus.

“A strong transportation plan means a stronger economic future for the people of our state,” said House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes (D-Akron). “It’s clear Republicans are planning to raise the gas tax, so we need to be strategic about directing more resources back home for working people, small businesses and families. Taxpayers want their money to work for them, not some state agency in Columbus.”

State Rep. Jeff Crossman (D-Parma) today issued a statement following reports that teachers at the Summit Academy Parma reached a deal with school administrators to end the ongoing teacher strike at the school.

House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) joined state Reps. Mike Skindell (D-Lakewood) and Erica Crawley (D-Columbus) today to discuss the Working Families First tax incentive, an initiative that would reform Ohio’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to let more working families across the state keep more of the money they earn.

The discussion from Democrats comes as the Ohio Republicans consider increasing the gas tax by more than $2 billion in the state’s transportation budget. Some GOP leaders have called for more income tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy to offset the any gas tax increases.

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.”