Democratic News

State Reps. John Rogers (D-Mentor-on-the-Lake) and Shane Wilkin (R-Piketon) announced the House passage of House Bill 85 today, which creates a methodology for Ohio counties to petition the State for additional funding in capital cases which exceed a threshold that might otherwise place the county in financial distress, if not fiscal ruin. 

Described by Rep. Rogers and Rep. Wilkin as one of Ohio’s largest homicide investigations, the costs associated with prosecuting the recent capital crimes in Pike County could exceed $5 million. Pike County, with a annual budget of less than $10 million, is nevertheless mandated to enforce Ohio law, pursue justice on behalf of the State, and hold those responsible to account.   

“Ohio is charged with a great responsibility – to seek justice, to protect the rights of its citizens, and protect our communities, all the while ensuring that those who commit horrendous acts of violence, including murder, are held accountable,” Rogers said.

House Assistant Minority Whip and state Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) today sent a letter to Republican Governor Mike DeWine urging him to veto provisions in House Bill (HB) 62, the state’s two-year transportation budget, that would penalize cities using traffic safety cameras.

State Reps. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) and Randi Clites (D-Ravenna) today during a Statehouse news conference introduced the Ohio Equal Pay Act, legislation to recognize the full value and potential of Ohio’s working women. The announcement comes as advocates mark ‘Equal Pay Day’ across America, the date to which women must work to make up for the lost wages relative to their male counterparts.

House Democrats today supported the final passage of House Bill (HB) 62, the state’s bipartisan two-year transportation budget. The bill makes historic investments in public transit and local communities for road and bridge repairs.

“Democrats were able to come together to make historic investments to improve public transit and allow local communities to rebuild crumbling roads and bridges,” said House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron). “I am encouraged that moving forward we can continue to work together to put people and communities first to restore the promise of our state.”

State Rep. Beth Liston (D-Dublin) today announced the unanimous House passage of House Bill (HB) 61, her bipartisan bill alongside joint sponsor Laura Lanese (R-Grove City) to make sensitive personal information of certain mental health workers and their families exempt from disclosure under Ohio’s public records law.

State Rep. Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus) today announced the unanimous passage of House Bill (HB) 18, the Ohio Veterans’ Exemption Payment Act, her bipartisan bill alongside Rep. A. Nino Vitale (R-Urbana) to exemptveterans’ disability severance payments from the state income tax.

Working collaboratively with Ohio educators and finance officers for the past 15 months, Ohio Reps. Bob Cupp (R, Lima) and John Patterson (D, Jefferson) are co-sponsoring a comprehensive and transparent school funding proposal.

“As Ohio legislators, we are committed and determined to find an education funding system for our state’s pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students; one that is fair, rational and justifiable in contrast to our current system that is often unfair and nearly always incomprehensible,” the two lawmakers wrote of the plan.

Ohio House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today issued the following statement in support of state Reps. John Patterson (D-Jefferson) and Bob Cupp’s (R-Lima) comprehensive school funding reform efforts, which were outlined today and will be detailed throughout the week in House committee:

“Today’s announcement is the result of over a year’s worth of bipartisan work to fix the broken, unconstitutional school formula that has held back too many Ohio children for over a generation.

“Through this ongoing bipartisan effort, I believe we have a real opportunity to ensure every child in every school across the state can live up to their individual, God-given promise and the promise of our state.

State Rep. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) today announced $34,000 in Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) grant funding to support marine patrol units for the Lorain Port Authority. 

“This assistance is essential to the Lorain Port Authority carrying out their mission of maintaining waterway safety,” said Rep. Miller. “It is heartening to see the state demonstrate their commitment to making sure our community has the tools necessary to keep our lakes safe and open for everyone.”

State Rep. John Rogers (D-Mentor-on-the-Lake) today announced that the Lake County Sheriff's Office has received an Ohio Department Marine Patrol Assistances Grant provided by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Watercraft.

These funds are made available to law enforcement agencies through the State’s continuing effort to keep our waterways safe while enhancing recreational boating experiences.