Democratic News

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Director Matt Damschroder to unemployed workers who have continued to see delays and other issues with the state’s outdated and overwhelmed unemployment insurance system.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. 

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today announced she will be hosting 3 summer town halls in Akron to discuss the state budget, redistricting and other district priorities.  

COLUMBUS –House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today announced the launch of the Ohio Promise: Opportunity Agenda Tour, a statewide series of town hall events where local lawmakers will discuss statewide issues like jobs and economic development, the state budget, protecting healthcare access and the freedom to vote, and the pending redistricting process. The public events will give Ohioans the opportunity to ask questions and offer input on ways to address the issues facing their communities. 

COLUMBUS –Rep. Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester) announced today that Ohioans with unemployment overpayments through no fault of their own can now request a waiver that would absolve them of repaying these funds back to the state. Ohioans who have already repaid these overpayments but qualify for the waivers will have their money returned.