Democratic News

On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. The historic 5-4 decision overturns a 6^th Circuit Court case brought by Ohio native Jim Obergefell and invalidates bans on same-sex marriage across the country, including the one in Ohio. Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown) issued this statement following the court’s historic ruling:

“Today is a great day for equality in America and in Ohio. The Supreme Court reaffirmed what we knew all along: Love is love. Families with same-sex parents are families all the same. This has been true within the household and now becomes true in the eyes of the law. I am thankful for all of the people who have played a role in this fight for equality but now that progress has been made, we must not stop. We must continue to fight for anti-discrimination laws until all the promise and opportunity of equality is fully realized.”

On Friday, State Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown) and Ohio House Democratic Caucus members stood in opposition to House Bill 64, the state’s two-year budget bill. Democratic legislators voted against the measure, which they say lacks a comprehensive vision and offers little for hardworking Ohioans to get ahead. Instead, Democrats argue the bill advances policies that rig the tax system to help the richest one-percent and special interests, such as charter schools, big utility companies and oil and gas companies, in addition to partisan attacks on working Ohioans.

On Friday, State Rep. John Patterson (D-Jefferson) and Ohio House Democratic Caucus members stood in opposition to House Bill 64, the state’s two-year budget bill. Democratic legislators voted against the measure, which they say lacks a comprehensive vision and offers little for hardworking Ohioans to get ahead. Instead, Democrats argue the bill advances policies that rig the tax system to help the richest one-percent and special interests, such as charter schools, big utility companies and oil and gas companies, in addition to partisan attacks on working Ohioans.

Rep. Dan Ramos (D-Lorain) issued the following statement today on House Bill 64, the state’s two-year operating budget bill:

“Our incredible nation was founded by a group of dreamers on an idea that no one could conceive at the time: a more perfect union dedicated to the ideal that all persons are created equal, free to pursue happiness.  This historic decision, allowing marriage equality throughout our land, brings us so much closer to that dream that we must all continue to strive toward.  It is, quite simply, a great day in America.”

State Rep. Dan Ramos (D-Lorain) and Ohio House Democratic lawmakers today stood in opposition to House Bill 64, the state’s two-year budget bill. Democratic legislators voted against the measure, which they say lacks a comprehensive vision and offers little for hardworking Ohioans to get ahead. Instead, Democrats argue the bill advances policies that rig the tax system to help the richest one-percent and special interests, such as charter schools, big utility companies and oil and gas companies, in addition to partisan attacks on working Ohioans.

On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. The historic 5-4 decision overturns a 6^th Circuit Court case brought by Ohio native Jim Obergefell and invalidates bans on same-sex marriage across the country, including the one in Ohio. Rep. Kent Smith (D-Euclid) issued this statement following the court’s historic ruling:

“Love does not discriminate.  I am happy that from this day forward, marriage equality is a right available to all Americans.  I celebrate this day and salute the decades of activism that helped bring about this victory.”

State Rep. Kent Smith (D-Euclid) and Ohio House Democratic lawmakers today stood in opposition to House Bill 64, the state’s two-year budget bill. Democratic legislators voted against the measure, which they say lacks a vision to grow the economy and offers little opportunity for average Ohioans to get ahead. Instead, Democrats argue the bill advances partisan attacks on working Ohioans and policies that rig the tax system to help the richest one-percent and special interests.State Rep. Kent Smith (D-Euclid) and Ohio House Democratic lawmakers today stood in opposition to House Bill 64, the state’s two-year budget bill. Democratic legislators voted against the measure, which they say lacks a vision to grow the economy and offers little opportunity for average Ohioans to get ahead. Instead, Democrats argue the bill advances partisan attacks on working Ohioans and policies that rig the tax system to help the richest one-percent and special interests.

Rep. Michael Sheehy (D-Oregon) today issued the following statement on changes that affect water quality in House Bill 64, the state’s two-year operating budget bill:

“I’m concerned that language in the budget that was approved will circumvent recently-passed Senate Bill 1 and the progress we made for healthier, safer and more reliable water sources in our state. Unfortunately, this budget contains provisions that water down our progress on water quality. We must remain vigilant that the progress made is not eroded and that our drinking water is safe for millions of Ohioans.”

House Democratic Minority Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton) issued the following statement regarding last-minute legislative approval of the governor’s proposal to restructure the Youngstown City School system which was included in House Bill 70, a bill originally designed to make Community Learning Centers an official state education model: 

State Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown) today issued the following statement regarding last-minute legislative approval of the governor’s proposal to restructure the Youngstown City School system which was included in House Bill 70, a bill originally designed to make Community Learning Centers an official state education model: