Democratic News

The House Finance Committee Wednesday passed the latest version of the Fair School Funding Plan, House Bill (HB) 305, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Reps. John Patterson (D-Jefferson) and Gary Scherer (R-Circleville) that would transform the way Ohio’s schools are funded. Supporters say the plan would address many of the issues that have plagued the state’s funding formula, which the Ohio Supreme Court has found unconstitutional four times, beginning with the DeRolph decision in 1997.

COLUMBUS— Rep. Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati) voiced concerns over the House passage of Senate Bill (SB) 40 Wednesday, which would enact the “Forming Open and Robust University Minds Act” regarding free speech on college campuses.

The Ohio House Democratic Caucus today announced its leadership team for the 134^th General Assembly. In an all-caucus vote, Democrats re-elected Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) as Minority Leader.

Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron), today sent a letter calling on Governor Mike DeWine to veto Senate Bill (SB) 311, legislation Democrats say will slow the state’s coronavirus response, ultimately leading to more deaths and further destabilizing Ohio’s economy. Statehouse Republicans fast tracked SB 311 last week, voting along party lines to pass the controversial bill that would strip executive power from the state’s Health Director during public health crises. The bill now awaits the governor’s signature. 

Today, Franklin County representatives Assistant Minority Leader Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus), Assistant Minority Whip Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester) and State Reps. Adam Miller (D-Columbus), Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville), David Leland (D-Columbus), Dr. Beth Liston (D-Dublin), Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington), and Erica Crawley (D-Columbus) reacted to House passage of a bill (Senate Bill 311) to undermine the director of health’s authority at a time when the state has reached a dangerous peak, with Franklin County being the first county designated purple status. Announced by Gov. Mike DeWine Thursday, Franklin County is the first in the state to be elevated to purple status since the state began using this alert system. 

Ranking Democrat Rep. Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati) today issued a statement as the House State and Local Government Committee voted to fast track Senate Bill (SB) 311, which would curb executive authority from the state health director to issue orders during public health emergencies like the coronavirus pandemic.

Following House session Wednesday, Democratic leaders condemned Republican lawmakers for continuing to refuse to act on proposals to slow the spread of coronavirus, financially assist working families and small businesses, and repeal House Bill (HB) 6, tainted corporate bailout legislation at the center of an alleged multi-billion dollar corruption scheme involving then-Republican House Speaker Larry Householder and close associates. 

Ranking Democrat Rep. Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati) today issued the following statement as the House State and Local Government Committee prepares to hear testimony on House Bill (HB) 618, Republican-backed legislation to curb executive authority from the state’s health director during public health emergencies:

COLUMBUS— Ohio State Representative Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) issued a statement today following reports of FBI agents executing a search warrant at the home of Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) Chairman Sam Randazzo yesterday morning. PUCO regulates Ohio utilities and was currently auditing FirstEnergy Corp, the company at the center of the House Bill (HB 6) controversy that led to a nearly $1 billion bailout.

COLUMBUS —Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron)and State Reps. Allison Russo (D- Upper Arlington), two lawmakers with degrees in public health, today issued a statement following the Wednesday evening address from Governor Mike DeWine.