Democratic News

COLUMBUS— State Representatives Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo), Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown), and Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) responded to a letter from over 60 advocacy groups containing election policy recommendations for best practices, particularly in emergency situations like the country is now facing. The three representatives make up the House Democratic Caucus’ Elections Working Group which has been monitoring election challenges and crafting policy proposals to ensure elections remain safe and accessible. The coalition’s letter focused on expanding mail voting and providing adequate in-person voting opportunities, two top priorities of the House Democratic Caucus and its Elections Working Group. 

COLUMBUS— Rep. Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland), vice chair of the OHIO 2020 Task Force, voiced frustration following yet another meeting where none of the presenters were minorities or women and the primary concern of all of the presenters seemed to be re-opening the state as soon as possible.

State Reps. Thomas West (D-Canton) and Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) today joined State Sen. Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati) in writing a letter to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton outlining steps to combat racial disparities in health outcomes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The joint letter is part of an effort by the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) to address racial and ethnic disparities in the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

House Democratic lawmakers today announced their Ohio Clean Energy Jobs Plan to protect and grow good jobs across the state, improve the health of Ohioans and avoid rate hikes on consumer utility bills.

“For generations, Ohio led the nation in manufacturing, building the strongest middle class the world had ever seen,” said Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron). “The Ohio Clean Energy Jobs plan restores that promise of better jobs and brighter futures, and gives the next generation of Ohio workers the opportunity to lead again—in advanced, clean energy jobs that will power our state into the future.”

The Clean Energy Jobs plan strengthens Ohio’s renewable and energy efficiency benchmarks and re-envisions the state’s Advanced Energy Standards (AES) to save consumers money and grow emerging sectors of Ohio’s clean energy economy. According to the latest report, Ohioans could realize some $3.5 billion in additional economic value under updated efficiency standards.

State Reps. Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus) and Jeff Crossman (D-Parma) today issued statements following approval of early release for some 141 state prisoners serving sentences for low-level, non-violent offenses. The Democratic lawmakers called for further action to address health and safety concerns in Ohio prisons, which have already seen deaths from COVID-19.

State Rep. and Ohio House Democratic Women’s Caucus (OHDWC) Chair Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) today joined the Ohio House Democratic Women’s Caucus (OHDWC) in hosting the eight annual Women’s Lobby Day, a legislative advocacy day at the Statehouse pushing for women’s social and economic equality featuring a panel of women lawmakers.

COLUMBUS— House Democratic lawmakers today announced the state Controlling Board approved more than $248 million in federal coronavirus relief funds to aid the state’s ongoing pandemic response efforts, including funds to bolster testing capacity, purchase needed personal protective equipment for frontline workers, expand hospital capacity, and provide resources for those most impacted by the coronavirus.

House Democrats today expressed optimism that the latest state budget draft is moving in the right direction, after updates included key Democratic tax priorities that they say make the bill a “more realistic blueprint” for the state’s fiscal future.

COLUMBUS— The Ohio Black Maternal Caucus (OBMHC) today recognized the start of Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17), which promotes awareness and seeks to advance and improve Black maternal health outcomes across the country. 

State Reps. Adam C. Miller (D-Columbus) and Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) this week announced House Bill (HB) 229, legislation that would prohibit landlords from discriminating against tenants who utilize the federal government’s Housing Choice Voucher program.

COLUMBUS— While Ohio’s stay-at-home order works to reduce the strain on the state’s healthcare system, House Democrats today expressed concerns about the effect the prolonged lockdown is having on domestic violence incidents in Ohio. With the statewide stay-at-home order in effect until at least May 1, Democrats say now is the time to act to protect victims and families.

House Democrats today announced the House passage of House Bill (HB) 154, a bipartisan effort to end state takeovers of local schools and restore control to local education officials. The bill comes amid questions of accountability, transparency and lackluster results from district takeovers in Youngstown, Lorain and East Cleveland.

COLUMBUS– State Rep. John Rogers (D-Mentor-On-The-Lake) yesterday introduced comprehensive legislation to streamline Ohio’s criminal record sealing procedure, while expanding eligibility to more Ohioans. This legislation was crafted in response to testimony given by the Ohio Public Defender’s office before the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee illustrating the inherent and significant difficulties encountered when navigating the current record sealing statute.

Amid widespread criticism of House Bill 6, legislation that ends renewable energy standards and increases consumer and business taxes by some $300 million per year, House Democrats this week will hold their own caucus-wide review of the fast-tracked proposal.

State Reps. Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus) and Rick Carfagna (R-Genoa Township)  today announced the introduction of the Reagan Tokes Act, which will implement new standards to improve the monitoring of violent offenders.  This bill follows the passage of House Bill 365, also known as the Reagan Tokes Act, last year which created indefinite prison sentencing standards for violent offenders. The bill is named for Reagan Tokes, a student at The Ohio State University who was brutally kidnapped, raped and killed after leaving work at a Columbus restaurant in 2017. 

State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) today issued a statement following a press conference announcing the creation of a bipartisan working group to study the potential for automated voter registration in Ohio. 

State Reps. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) and Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) today announced the introduction of House Bill (HB) 208, bipartisan legislation to secure protections for sports officials. The bill would bring the penalty for assaulting a referee on the job or in retaliation for a prior incident in line with current legislation protecting teachers, school administrators and bus drivers.

“As a referee for 20 years and as a coach, participant and parent, I understand the power of athletic competition to bring people together and teach important life skills,” said Rep. Miller. “However, sometimes emotions run high and tempers flare during competition. It’s important that we support our officials and send a message that physical confrontations are never an acceptable recourse.”

State Reps. Kent Smith (D-Euclid) and Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) today announced the introduction of House Bill 202, legislation to create an Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Study tasked with setting statewide EV infrastructure standards to encourage investment and economic growth. The lawmakers’ announcement follows the state’s approval of EV registration fee increases and a new report lauding Ohio’s potential as a national leader in clean jobs growth.

“If we don’t plan for our future now, we risk being left out of the economic growth and opportunity that comes with clean energy investment,” said Smith. “We need a blueprint that recognizes our potential as a clean jobs leader and builds on that foundation to keep us economically competitive nationally and globally.”

As Black Maternal Health Week 2019 comes to a close, House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) and state Rep. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) today announced the initial meeting of the Ohio Black Maternal Health Caucus, the state’s first-ever group of state lawmakers dedicated to improving black maternal health across the state. Members will meet in Columbus early next month to discuss the group’s mission and shared vision to strengthen Ohio women, children, families and communities.