Democratic News

COLUMBUS — State Reps. Richard D. Brown (D-Canal Winchester) and Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) today introduced the Democracy Bonus Act, legislation providing a one-time $1,000 dollar bonus to all Ohio National Guard and State Defense Force Members who served in any full-time role after the Governor’s declared state of emergency on March 9, 2020. 

Rep. Jeff Crossman (D-Parma) today sent a request for information to Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Matt Damschroder following witness testimony regarding the hacking of personal, online portal accounts, which allegedly allowed criminals to change bank routing information to redirect unemployment funds.

Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued the below statement following the convening of Ohio’s Redistricting Commission Friday.  

Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) President Rep. Thomas West (D-Canton) today issued a statement on the historic inclusion of two Black lawmakers on the state’s Redistricting Commission, House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) and Sen. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron).

State Rep. Willis Blackshear (D-Dayton) issued a statement Wednesday on the second anniversary of the shooting in Dayton’s Oregon District, which killed 9 and injured 17 others the night of August 4, 2019. Ohioans rallied together in the wake of the shooting, urging the governor and state lawmakers to “do something” to address gun violence in Ohio communities. 

State Reps. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) and Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) introduced legislation that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Ohio. The bill will have four major components: Decriminalization, Marijuana Excise Tax, Commerce and Licensing, and Medical Marijuana

Following the Unemployment Compensation Modernization and Improvement Council meeting on Thursday, State Rep. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) issued the following statement. 

State Rep. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) issued a statement today blasting comments made by Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services Director Matt Damschroder to unemployed workers who have continued to see delays and other issues with the state’s outdated and overwhelmed unemployment insurance system. 

Following the announcement of the deferred prosecution agreement between the FBI and FirstEnergy Corp. on Thursday, State Rep. David Leland (D-Columbus) issued the following statement:  

COLUMBUS—State Representative Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati) penned an Op-ed in the Cincinnati Enquirer this week in which she called on Congress to prioritize people over the Pentagon in the federal budget.