Democratic News

On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. The historic 5-4 decision overturns a 6^th Circuit Court case brought by Ohio native Jim Obergefell and invalidates bans on same-sex marriage across the country, including the one in Ohio. Rep. Celebrezze issued this statement following the court’s historic ruling:

"Today's historic decision by the United States Supreme Court regarding marriage equality should be celebrated by all Ohioans and Americans.  As not only a legislator who has sworn to protect our nation's and state's constitution but also as an attorney I am overjoyed that the Supreme Court rendered this decision."

The Ohio House of Representatives voted this afternoon to approve the state’s two year operating budget, Substitute House Bill 64. Following the vote, State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) issued the following statement:

“Yet again, the ultra-conservative majority in the Ohio legislature has delivered a partisan budget that weakens middle-class families, prioritizes our state’s wealthiest individuals and attacks women’s health care.This budget cut 16 million dollars from local communities and increased taxes on working class Ohioans. I voted against House Bill 64 because it does not protect the best interest of everyday Ohioans, but instead continues to push our state in the wrong direction.” 

Today’s vote on the state’s new two-year state budget included an amendment offered by State Rep. Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus), which funds the Resurrecting Lives Foundation, an organization that assists military veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) recover and find employment. State funds will be used to support the foundation’s Employment Initiative and Community TBI Education Program. 

Rep. Debbie Phillips (D-Albany) issued the following statement today on House Bill 64, the state’s two-year operating budget bill:

“This budget deepens Ohio’s dependence on failed policies, and lacks vision. By cutting taxes for the wealthiest Ohioans, this policy shifts the responsibility for paying for essential services onto our local communities. It fails to fix Ohio’s unconstitutional school funding system, and it unnecessarily limits collective bargaining rights for some of Ohio’s lowest-paid workers. This budget is the wrong direction for our region and our state, and I could not support it.” 

On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. The historic 5-4 decision overturns a 6^th Circuit Court case brought by Ohio native Jim Obergefell and invalidates bans on same-sex marriage across the country, including the one in Ohio. Rep. Debbie Phillips (D-Albany) issued this statement following the court’s historic ruling:

“Today is a big step forward on our nation’s path to equality,” said Phillips. “I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to couples in our community whose love and commitment finally have equal standing under the law. Love wins.”

On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. The historic 5-4 decision overturns a 6^th Circuit Court case brought by Ohio native Jim Obergefell and invalidates bans on same-sex marriage across the country, including the one in Ohio. Rep. Denise Driehaus (D-Cincinnati) issued this statement following the court’s historic ruling:

“After decades of struggle, the Supreme Court today affirmed what many of us already knew: that LGBT people should have the right to marry the person they love. I commend the many people who have worked over the years to make this day possible, including Cincinnati's own Jim Obergefell.

“In Cincinnati, in Ohio, and in this country, there have been an army of people who have made this day possible with their tireless advocacy. Many of them did not live to see this day, including Jim's late husband, John Arthur, but this is their victory, too. We owe a great debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who took up this fight long before it was popular or mainstream.

“I hope that Cincinnati and Ohio can continue to be at the forefront of the fight for justice. I am proud to have stood alongside the LGBT Community throughout this struggle and hope to continue working with them to make Ohio a more inclusive, welcoming place for everyone.

“Today and this weekend, I hope we can all celebrate this amazing success. And in the days, months, and years to come, I hope we will continue to fight for a more equitable and just society for all.”

On Friday, State Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) and Ohio House Democratic Caucus members stood in opposition to House Bill 64, the state’s two-year budget bill. Democratic legislators voted against the measure, which they say lacks a comprehensive vision and offers little for hardworking Ohioans to get ahead. Instead, Democrats argue the bill advances policies that rig the tax system to help the richest one-percent and special interests, such as charter schools, big utility companies and oil and gas companies, in addition to partisan attacks on working Ohioans.

State Rep. Greta Johnson (D-Akron) and Ohio House Democratic Caucus members stood in opposition to House Bill 64, the state’s two-year budget bill. Democratic legislators voted against the measure, which they say lacks a comprehensive vision and offers little for hardworking Ohioans to get ahead. Instead, Democrats argue the bill advances policies that rig the tax system to help the richest one-percent and special interests, such as charter schools, big utility companies and oil and gas companies, in addition to partisan attacks on working Ohioans and women’s reproductive rights.

House Democrats expressed disappointment in the latest iteration of an untargeted tax package that disproportionately benefits the wealthiest few Ohioans. Despite a number of tax cuts since 2005, Ohio remains one of the last states yet to recover jobs lost during the Great Recession.

Without any accountability or transparency measures, an historic amount of tax dollars, to the tune of $1 billion, will flow to the state’s charter schools, many of which continue to underperform compared to their chronically underfunded public school counterparts. Online charter schools also receive an extra $25 per student for building costs, even though online schools lack brick and mortar facilities.

“This budget does not reflect the governor’s promise to address the woeful shortcomings of Ohio’s failing charter schools. Instead these schools are receiving funds that could be used to strengthen the hardworking families in this state that are struggling to get by under the current administration,” said Johnson.

Rep. Christie Kuhns (D-Cincinnati) issued the following statement today on approval of House Bill 64, the state’s two-year operating budget bill:

“How we spend money as a state defines our values, and I am disappointed that today’s state spending plan highlights disconnected and shortsighted values. This budget lacks equitable funding for public schools and continues attacks on women's access to healthcare and workers' rights. It includes tax breaks for the wealthy and increased taxes on middle-class and working Ohioans. The budget failed to address the lack of opportunity for average citizens to get ahead and the uncertain economic future too many families face. I am hopeful we can pass legislation later in this General Assembly to move Ohio forward, instead of falling back on old, failed policies of the past.”

On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. The historic 5-4 decision overturns a 6^th Circuit Court case brought by Ohio native Jim Obergefell and invalidates bans on same-sex marriage across the country, including the one in Ohio. Rep. Kuhns issued this statement following the court’s historic ruling:

“My own marriage wasn’t legal until 1967 so today’s decision is very personal to me, I am beyond grateful that every American will have an opportunity to experience the joy I felt when I exchanged my vows.”