Democratic News

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement on House Bill 480, Republican legislation aimed at criminalizing abortion in Ohio. The bill is modeled after controversial legislation in Texas that threatens doctors, women and anyone who “aids or abets” an abortion. 

State Reps. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo), Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo), and Mike Sheehy (D-Oregon) yesterday sent a letter to Stericycle President and CEO Cindy J. Miller encouraging Stericycle to keep negotiating with employees of the Stericycle Toledo Facility who have been on strike since early October.

Government Oversight Committee Ranking Member Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) issued a statement Thursday following the committee passage of House Bill (HB) 227, GOP-backed legislation that would gut public safety laws that currently require permits for people who carry hidden, loaded handguns in public.

State Rep. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) today applauded the passage of House Bill (HB) 3, better known as Aisha’s Law, out of the Ohio House. Aisha’s Law would improve how law enforcement agencies respond to domestic violence cases and provides added protections for those in high-risk situations. 

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today applauded the House passage of Aisha’s Law, Democratic priority legislation sponsored by Rep. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) that would better protect the safety and security for those in high-risk situations for domestic violence. Aisha’s Law would improve how law enforcement agencies respond to domestic violence cases and provide added protections for those in high-risk situations. 

State Rep. Willis Blackshear (D-Dayton) provided sponsor testimony today before the Ohio House State and Local Government Committee on House Bill (HB) 340, which seeks to designate September as the "International Underground Railroad Month." Rep. Blackshear is a joint sponsor of HB 340 with Rep. Adam Bird (R- New Richmond).  HB 340 seeks to recognize Ohio’s involvement in the abolitionist movement by honoring the abolitionists and freedom seekers who risked their lives fighting for equality. Following sponsor testimony, the House State and Local Government Committee unanimously passed HB 340.

State Rep. Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus) today announced the Ohio House passage of House Bill (HB) 254, which would create a pathway for counties and regions to establish domestic violence fatality review boards that are tailored to meet each county and region’s needs in order to prevent further domestic violence fatalities. 

State Rep. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) today sent a letter to Governor Mike DeWine encouraging Ohio to use Federal funding received under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to expand supportive and affordable housing for Ohioans in need.

Reps. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) and Juanita O. Brent (D-Cleveland) testified before the House Insurance Committee Wednesday on House Bill (HB) 416, their legislation that would promote financial security and stability for Ohioans after they retire. The bill would create The Ohio Retirement Savings Program (ORSP), a supplemental pension plan in addition to Social Security benefits. 

Ohio Redistricting Commission member and House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) Monday sent a letter to House Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) and Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) requesting the General Assembly take the necessary steps to be able to consider congressional district maps should the Ohio Redistricting Commission fail to approve maps by their Oct. 31 deadline.