Emilia Strong Sykes News
House Democrats today celebrated a historically effective two-year legislative session, which saw them play a critical role in policymaking, passing dozens of bills and long-held caucus priorities, including investments in education, job training, and public transit, as well as tax cuts for working families and expanded health care access to improve maternal health and infant mortality. Dec. 31 marks the official end to the 133rd General Assembly (GA).
Read Full StoryMinority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today issued the following statement as Ohio and the nation will reportedly fall far short of the vaccination goal of 20 million doses by the end of the year. Just 2.1 million doses have been administered nationwide to date. The state Controlling Board Wednesday approved $125 million in funds to distribute vaccines.
Read Full StoryCOLUMBUS – Yesterday, House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron), in collaboration with the Black Elected Officials of Summit County, held a virtual community town hall on Facebook Live about the Covid-19 vaccine administered by Pfizer, Inc. and Moderna.
Read Full StoryMinority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today urged Gov. Mike DeWine to veto two controversial bills, Shoot First legislation Democrats say endangers Black lives and makes Ohioans less safe, and a new, extremist restriction on abortion access in Ohio. House Republicans cut off debate on the bills last week, denying Democrats the opportunity to speak out against the last-minute flurry of extreme legislation GOP lawmakers are rushing through the legislative process before the end of the 133rd General Assembly at the end of the year.
Read Full StoryLate Thursday, House Democrats delivered impassioned floor speeches against a last-minute, unvetted amendment to House Bill 175, Shoot First legislation that would permit the use of deadly force by individuals who believe their lives are endangered in any space, something Democrats say goes too far, and would threaten Black lives and make all Ohioans less safe. Then, in a move to silence more Democratic opposition, Republicans employed a rarely used parliamentary procedure to prematurely end debate, and voted to ram the bill through along party lines.
Read Full StoryCOLUMBUS – House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) announced the transfer of $250,000 in funds by the state Controlling Board on Monday for the Food Farmacy Pilot Project. The $500,000 pilot project, spearheaded by Leader Sykes, will provide comprehensive medical, nutrition, and lifestyle support for food-insecure patients with chronic diseases and their families in Summit County. Upon final grant approval, the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, in collaboration with the local hospital systems, will be able to use these funds to close the disparity gap in income and medical care, with hopes of expanding the project statewide.
Read Full StoryCOLUMBUS – House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today announced the introduction of the $2.1 billion capital appropriations budget for fiscal years 2021-2022 as an amendment during the Senate Bill (SB) 310 conference committee. The capital appropriations budget includes $186.5 million for community projects, a number of which that will benefit Summit County including:
Read Full StoryOpen enrollment for healthcare coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will end tomorrow, Dec. 15, and health insurance coverage will begin Jan. 1, 2021.
Read Full StoryCOLUMBUS – Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Strong-Sykes (D-Akron) sent a letter Friday to Gov. Mike DeWine urging him to veto Senate Bill 27, saying the extreme legislation would add an undue burden on Ohio women and those seeking surgical abortions in the state.
Read Full StoryA list of state and local resources as of Dec. 11, 2020 is attached here
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