Leader Sykes statement on Gov. DeWine lifting health orders June 2

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement on Gov. DeWine’s announcement Wednesday that the state would end all health orders effective June 2 and roll out series of million-dollar drawings to random vaccinated Ohioans.

“As elected leaders, we’re obligated to take seriously our duty to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. Using millions of dollars in relief funds in a drawing is a grave misuse of money that could be going to respond to this ongoing crisis. Ohioans deserve better than this. I do hope people continue to get the vaccine and help our state reach herd immunity so our economy and way of life can thrive again.”

Only 41.8 percent of Ohioans have had at least one coronavirus vaccine dose as of Wednesday.