Democratic News

COLUMBUS—House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today voiced her frustration following Governor Mike DeWine’s announcement related to the Minority Health Strike Force. Today’s statement follows multiple written and verbal conversations where Sykes urgently pressed DeWine to take action to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Ohio’s minority communities, which have been hit the hardest by the worst global pandemic in more than a century. Though black Ohioans are just 13 percent of the population, they account for 26 percent of confirmed cases and 17 percent of deaths from coronavirus in Ohio. 

COLUMBUS— Ohio Legislative Black Caucus President State Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) today issued a statement following Governor Mike DeWine’s announcement today regarding next steps with the Minority Health Strike Force.

House Democrats today applauded the unanimous passage of Aisha’s Law, Democratic priority legislation sponsored by Rep. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) that would change how law enforcement agencies respond to domestic violence cases and provide added protections for those in high-risk situations. Democrats say the bill’s passage comes at a critical time as prolonged isolation during the state’s stay-at-home order has led to a spike in domestic violence cases. 

COLUMBUS- State Representative Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) today announced that House Bill (HB) 3, ‘Aisha’s Law’, her bipartisan priority legislation with Rep. Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton) to change how law enforcement agencies respond to domestic violence cases and create a continuum of protections for victims of domestic violence that are in extreme risk and lethal situations, passed out of the House Criminal Justice (12-0) and House Finance Committees (31-1).  The bill is named for Aisha Fraser, a former Shaker Heights sixth-grade teacher who was brutally murdered by her ex-husband, former state Rep. Lance Mason, in Nov. 2018 following years of domestic abuse. The bill now awaits an expected House floor vote tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20.

Ohio House Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus) today sent a letter to House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) continuing Democratic calls urging him to enact CDC workplace safety recommendations, like requiring facemasks and physical distancing, to protect lawmakers, staff and the general public 

COLUMBUS—Ohio House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today releases the following statement following the death of Ohio treasure, Annie Glenn :

COLUMBUS— House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron), House Minority Whip Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo), and State Representatives Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown), Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) and Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati) released their proposal for holding a safe and accessible presidential election this November as the global pandemic continues.

COLUMBUS—House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today penned a letter to Speaker of the House Larry Householder (R-Glenford) following a House floor session where all members were not socially distanced as the health experts recommend and where only a few of the Republican members were wearing masks.

COLUMBUS—House Assistant Minority Leader Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus) today released a statement following the Governor’s delay to reopen childcare facilities, leaving working parents few options as they return to the workplace:

COLUMBUS—House Democrats today announced the state Controlling Board approved more than $132 million in funding to bolster unemployment benefits, provide assistance for small businesses and manufacturers, and support state and local COVID-19 response efforts amid the worst global pandemic in more than a century.