Democratic News

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today called on Statehouse leaders to repeal Ohio’s new no duty to retreat law, which passed in December 2020. Democratic-sponsored legislation, House Bill (HB) 38, would repeal the new shoot first law that takes effect Tuesday. 

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) recognizes the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Officially observed in 2001, this year marks the 20th anniversary, but the sexual assault prevention movement has its roots dating back to the early-mid 1900s with Black women and Women of Color at the forefront. Sexual Assault Awareness Month is aimed to spread awareness about sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. This year, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center is promoting the education of digital consent and how to create a safe space online.

With Ohio’s new no duty to retreat law set to take effect Tuesday, Democratic Reps. Adam C. Miller (D-Columbus) and Thomas West (D-Canton) today renewed their call to Statehouse leaders to pass House Bill (HB) 38, their legislation to repeal Ohio’s new “shoot first” law, which passed in December 2020.

Today, Rep. Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus) issued a statement urging U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to ensure that the distribution of federal funding from the recently passed American Rescue Plan (ARP) be eligible to towns and townships across the country, including Ohio’s more than 1,300 townships. She said making ARP funds available to townships is crucial to Ohio’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today received a coronavirus vaccine while touring a vaccination site in Akron. During her visit alongside Gov. Mike DeWine, Leader Sykes thanked medical staff and personnel for their work throughout the pandemic and urged every Ohioan to sign up for a vaccination appointment. The state opens vaccination to anyone 16 years old and over beginning Monday, March 29.

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) and House Finance Committee Ranking Member Rep. Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus) issued statements following the final passage of House Bill (HB) 74, the state’s two-year transportation budget. Democrats fought against the governor’s proposed cuts to public transit funding in the bill, securing more than $221 million over the next two years, more than doubling the governor’s proposed investment. 

House Democrats today voted in opposition to a motion to override the governor’s veto of Senate Bill (SB) 22, controversial Republican legislation that would threaten the health and safety of Ohioans by curbing authority from the governor and health director during public health crises.

Today, on this year’s Equal Pay Day, State Reps. Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus) and Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) reintroduced legislation to fight pay discrimination in Ohio by establishing a toll-free equal pay hotline, an easily accessible, anonymous resource for workers to report wage discrimination and gather more information to find out if they could be victims of pay discrimination.

Reps. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) and Jessica E. Miranda (D-Forest Park) today introduced the Ohio Equal Pay Act, legislation to recognize the full value and potential of Ohio’s working women. The announcement comes as advocates commemorate Equal Pay Day, the date to which the average working woman in America must work into the next calendar year to make what their male counterparts did the previous year. For women in Ohio, that annual pay gap is nearly $10,000. 

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement on Gov. DeWine’s veto of Senate Bill (SB) 22, controversial legislation that would threaten the health and safety of Ohioans by curbing authority from the governor and health director during public health crises. Democrats voted against the bill and sent the governor a letter urging his veto.