Democratic News

House Democratic lawmakers today criticized the passage of House Bill (HB) 114, saying legislation that changes the state’s advanced energy standards to unenforceable “goals” will harm consumers and jeopardize thousands of manufacturing and development jobs in Ohio’s advanced energy industry and other industries that increasingly want and rely on advanced energy sources. 

“If Ohio’s economy is on the ‘verge of a recession,’ as the governor has claimed, rolling back state renewable energy standards will threaten future job growth and could harm consumers, workers and the environment,” said House Democratic Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton). “Advanced energy technologies are helping create the manufacturing jobs of the future, and we would be wise to invest now to become a leader of this emerging industry instead of falling behind the rest of the nation.” 

State Reps. Kent Smith (D-Euclid) and Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) recently introduced House Bill (HB) 138, legislation to fight pay discrimination in Ohio by establishing a toll-free equal pay hotline, an easily accessible, anonymous resource for workers to report wage discrimination and gather more information to find out if they could be victims of pay discrimination.

“While the federal Equal Pay Act was enacted over fifty years ago, Ohio has done little more to protect worker’s paychecks from unprecedented and illegal discrimination,” said Smith. “By providing the tools necessary to help ensure folks are receiving equal pay for equal work, we can attract more top talent and create a stronger economy for all Ohioans.”

Rep. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) and House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today urged the swift passage of House Bill (HB) 3, better known as Aisha’s Law, in the wake of the highly publicized Gabby Petito case.  Aisha’s Law would improve how law enforcement agencies respond to domestic violence cases and provides added protections for those in high-risk situations. 

Rep. Latyna M. Humphrey (D-Columbus) today was officially appointed and sworn in to fill the vacancy as state representative to the 26th Ohio House District.

Rep. Latyna M. Humphrey (D-Columbus) today was officially appointed and sworn in to fill the vacancy as state representative to the 26th Ohio House District.

Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) President Rep. Thomas West (D-Canton) and State Rep. Willis Blackshear (D-Dayton) today issued statements following a recent interaction where Dayton Police dragged a paraplegic Black man from his car and threw him on the road during a routine traffic stop in Dayton. The Dayton Police Department has opened an investigation into the incident. 

State Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown), Ranking Democrat on the House Commerce and Labor Committee, issued a statement today after an informal hearing on House Bill (HB) 435, anti-vaccine legislation that would broadly expand exemptions for those required to be vaccinated for COVID-19. HB 435 would also grant corporations partial legal immunity from COVID-19 related lawsuits. 

State Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown), Ranking Member on the House Commerce and Labor Committee, issued a statement today after an informal hearing on House Bill (HB) 435, anti-vaccine legislation that would broadly expand exemptions for students and public or private employees required to get the COVID-19 vaccine. HB 435 would also grant corporations partial legal immunity from COVID-19 related lawsuits. 

Following the recommendation of a screening panel chaired by Rep. Daniel P. Troy (D-Willowick), House Democrats today voted to appoint Latyna Humphrey to represent Ohio’s 26th House District, a seat currently vacant after former Rep. Erica Crawley stepped down to begin her role as Franklin County Commissioner. 

State Rep. Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus) and Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) called for action on  House Bill (HB) 199, their legislation to prevent victims of rape or assault from being denied full compensation of their damages awarded by a jury, after a federal judge Wednesday dismissed all outstanding Strauss abuse cases against Ohio State University, citing the expired statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims. 

Reps. Jeffrey A. Crossman (D-Parma) and Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) filed legislation today to address alleged hacking of the state’s unemployment system that has compromised personal information and resulted in thousands of dollars stolen from deserving recipients. The legislation would urge Gov. DeWine to activate the Ohio Cyber Reserve to investigate the multiple reports of hacking in the state’s unemployment compensation network. Thus far, the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS) has refused to acknowledge a hack and has instead referred to those incidents as “account takeovers.”

Ohio Redistricting Commission member and House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today issued a statement as several groups, including the ACLU of Ohio, League of Women Voters of Ohio, the Ohio Chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, and others filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state legislative district maps recently passed by the Commission’s five Republican members. Leader Sykes voted against the plan Sept. 15. 

State Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) issued a statement Wednesday as the House concurred to Senate changes on House Bill 92, which includes added emergency language to comply with voter-initiated requirements for public submission of congressional maps via an online portal. Rep. Hicks-Hudson introduced sweeping legislation in May, 2021 that would have gone further to support public submission and require more transparency in the redistricting process. The legislature has until Sept. 30 to adopt congressional maps.