Leader Sykes Urges DeWine Veto On Two Extremist Bills

Minority 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.

Sykes sent letters to DeWine urging him to veto the following bills:

• Senate 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;
• Senate Bill 260, the latest Republican attack on access to safe, legal abortion care that would ban abortion services via telehealth and charge doctors violating the law with a fourth-degree felony on the first offense and a third-degree felony for subsequent violations.