Democratic News

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced $251,762 in funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC) for 19 artists, arts and cultural organizations, students, educators, and public arts programs in Mahoning County as part of OAC’s initial and major state fiscal year 2025 funding round.

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced $251,762 in funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC) for 19 artists, arts and cultural organizations, students, educators, and public arts programs in Mahoning County as part of OAC’s initial and major state fiscal year 2025 funding round.

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Jewish Caucus today celebrates Wednesday’s passage from the Ohio House of Representatives of The Campus Accountability and Modernization to Protect University Students (CAMPUS) Act. The legislation marked a bipartisan effort to empower Ohio universities with essential tools to promote student safety and foster inclusive environments.

COLUMBUS – State Reps. Anita Somani (D-Dublin), Beth Liston (D-Dublin), Beryl Brown Piccolantonio (D-Gahanna), and Michele Grim (D-Toledo) today held a press conference to discuss the continued attacks against Ohioans reproductive healthcare and re-emphasized House Democrats’ ongoing effort in protecting Ohioans fundamental rights.

COLUMBUS – Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on access to the abortion pill mifepristone, which has been used by more than five million people in the United States.

COLUMBUS – As corporate bailout costs for failing coal plants in Ohio and Indiana are projected to climb to $500 million over the next six months, Ohio House Democrats today highlighted consumer protections in a pair of bills the Democrats say would reverse the economic damage of the corrupt passage of House Bill 6.

COLUMBUS - Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today released the following statement following the passage of the undemocratic House Bill 1 through the Ohio House of Representatives.

COLUMBUS - Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today released the following statement concerning Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s letter regarding the deadline to certify the Democratic Party candidate by the August 7th, 2024 deadline. 

COLUMBUS – House Democrats today held a news conference to introduce the Learning & Education Advancement Package (LEAP) Initiative, legislation to reaffirm K-12 education as a Democratic priority, setting goals and standards for our education system prior to the next school year for for-profit charter school oversight, private school vouchers accountability, investing in early childhood education, and supporting public schools, educators, and students. 

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) recognizes April 7th as World Health Day. Since taking effect in 1950, this day has been celebrated across the globe to create awareness for various health issues. Spanning from mental health, climate change, maternal and child care, and more, World Health Day provides an opportunity for countries to come together to focus on global health priorities. This year, the World Health Organization is pushing to eliminate health inequities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

State Rep. Jessica E. Miranda (D-Forest Park) and State Senator Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati) announced the creation of the bicameral Ohio Gun Violence Prevention Caucus. An invite has been sent out to all Ohio House and Senate members to participate in the legislative caucus focused on advancing commonsense gun safety measures in Ohio.

State Rep. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) penned an OpEd in the Akron Beacon Journal this week in which he called for the repeal of Ohio’s new no duty to retreat law, which passed in December 2020 and is set to take effect Tuesday, April 6. Rep. Weinstein is a co-sponsor of legislation, House Bill (HB) 38, which would repeal the controversial law.

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.