State Rep. Dan Ramos (D-Lorain) today voiced objections to the Trump Administration’s recent decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The program allowed for certain undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children to receive a work permit and a renewable two-year reprieve from deportation.

“It is unconscionable for President Trump to end the DACA program, essentially calling for the deportation of well over 800,000 children and young adults who were raised here. America is the only home they’ve ever known. The America I know isn’t a nation where we punish children for their parents’ actions.

In a political effort to hamstring Ohio House Democratic lawmakers in a pro-gun, anti-gun debate today on the House floor, Republicans brought forward House Bill (HB) 233 for a vote, legislation that allows concealed carry permit holders to knowingly bring guns or deadly weapons into daycares, schools, airports, bars and other restricted spaces, so long as the permit holder leaves when asked to do so. Individuals who refuse to leave or return to the same business while carrying a prohibited weapon within 30 days will be subject to a fourth degree misdemeanor.

“This isn’t just a solution looking for a problem, but it is creating a whole new set of public safety problems by overturning Ohio laws designed to keep us safe and secure,” said House Democratic Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton). “This will trample private property rights of business owners and create confusion in secure locations like airports, police stations, schools and daycares. As a gun owner and strong second amendment supporter, I think Ohioans deserve to feel safe and secure, free from the fear of intimidation or tragedies this bill could create,” added Strahorn.

Amid a more than $1 billion financial shortfall, Ohio’s legislative Republicans pushed state budget negotiations closer to the brink Tuesday and today with eleventh hour horse-trading over a Medicaid lockout and complex money maneuvers, leaving Gov. John Kasich less than 48 hours to review the state budget, House Bill 49, before the start of the new fiscal year.

“This budget is a disaster. Ohio has some very real problems which are growing as our economy continues to stagnate,” said state Rep. Dan Ramos (D-Lorain). “This budget continues the same failed policies that have gotten us here in the first place: lack of state funding making college unaffordable, and underfunded schools and communities. These polices haven't helped Ohio and now Republicans want to take away future access to healthcare from some half a million Ohioans.”   

State Rep. Dan Ramos (D-Lorain) today voted “no” on the Republican-led charge to restrict workers’ access to healthcare and benefits through the state’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) budget bill, House Bill 27. The bill passed the House Insurance Committee and the House Finance Committee on a party-line vote Tuesday. 

GOP lawmakers undertook a significant rewrite of what is typically a noncontroversial budget bill to include benefit restrictions on firefighters with cancer, a loophole for big corporations who hire undocumented workers, and a legal nod to the state’s largest failing online charter school and GOP campaign fundraiser, ECOT. 

New restrictions also halve the amount of time workers currently have to file a claim, something Democrats say could economically destabilizes thousands of Ohio families. 

“If the workplace is unsafe for one employee, regardless of status or documentation, it’s unsafe for all employees. It’s unsafe, period. We cannot allow unscrupulous employers to hire people knowing they can cut corners by not paying worker protection premiums for undocumented workers, effectively refusing to take responsibility should those workers suffer an injury on the job,” said Ramos. “In addition, I am concerned that this bill exacerbates the condition that makes all Latinos – regardless of documentation – feel as though they can’t turn to the authorities if they’ve been wronged, whether that wrong is a workplace injury or the drug dealer down the street.”