Democratic News

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today shares a letter sent to Governor Mike DeWine urging immediate action to establish a statewide utility rate class for large data centers in order to protect Ohio families and businesses from looming electricity rate increases. The Democratic lawmakers' letter comes as PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator serving Ohio and much of the Midwest, prepares for a major procurement process this fall that could saddle residential and small business customers with significant costs associated with rapidly growing electricity demand from data centers if adequate consumer protections are not in place.

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced that the Ohio Housing Finance Agency approved this year’s funding for the 9% low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC). Wick Lofts, a 63-unit general occupancy housing development in Youngstown, received $2,241,635 in Federal LIHTC. Wick Lofts will support residents between 30% and 70% of the Area Median Income.

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced that the Ohio Department of Development awarded the Mahoning Valley Manufacturer’s Coalition $250,000 grant. This grant opportunity comes from Governor DeWine’s Office of Workforce Transformation’s Industry Sector Partnership (ISP) Grant Program. The grant focuses on high-demand industries including manufacturing, construction and skilled trades, insurance, information technology, transportation, and health care. Mahoning Valley Manufacturer’s Coalition will use the grant to continue their youth outreach efforts and introduce middle school and high school students to careers in manufacturing. 

COLUMBUS -  State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced the passage of Senate Bill 450, the state's biennial capital appropriations budget. The bill allocates nearly $4B for the maintenance, renovation, and construction of state-owned infrastructure, including colleges, universities, school districts, and other community projects.

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced that the Ohio Controlling Board released $1,278,268.00 in Road Development Grants to Youngstown. This will support public road improvements for the U.S. 62 and North Garland Avenue connector.  This will include widening, paving, road construction and infrastructure improvements around the road like sewer and utility line repairs. The goal of this project is to provide accessibility, improve traffic flow, and overall safety in the area.

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) Friday announced that she was chosen as the Ohio Healthy Homes Network (OHHN) Legislator of the Year. This award was presented to Rep. McNally at OHHN’s annual conference in Gahanna, Ohio. The conference united public health officials, community leaders, property owners, and health professionals in the fight against lead poisoning.

Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today joined Dem lawmakers to urge House Republican leaders to call the chamber back into session to address several critical issues facing the state, including health and the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic, systemic racism and police brutality, questions surrounding the November election, and looming state budget shortfalls.

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced that The Ohio Department of Development (DOD) awarded $1M to the YMCA of Youngstown. This grant will be used complete asbestos abatement, universal waste removal, selective demolition, and infrastructure upgrades in portions of the historic downtown Youngstown YMCA. Once renovated, the upper floors and basement will be redeveloped into transitional housing for young people transitioning out of foster care and a youth development center.

COLUMBUS—Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) today announced that House Bill (HB) 11, her bill to improve prenatal and maternal health outcomes, was signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine on Friday. 

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced that The Ohio Department of Development (DOD) awarded $2.5M to Youngstown in Workforce Housing Grants. This grant will be used to fund 220 infill housing units and improve roads, sidewalks, and lighting around the units as well. This opportunity comes from the Residential Economic Development District (REDD) program.

COLUMBUS— Yesterday, Governor DeWine announced the signing of executive order 2020-24D, which provided protections for unemployed Ohioans who are over 65 or considered “high risk” and asked to return to work by their prior employer. Where previously they would have been disqualified from receiving benefits for refusing an offer of suitable work, now these Ohioans will remain eligible for unemployment.

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced that the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office was awarded $297,500 in Violent Crime Reduction Grant. This grant can go towards investigative overtime costs, new technology to support crime reduction, targeted patrols in high-crime areas, and other initiatives.

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) today signed onto a concurrent resolution urging Congress to designate June 19^th a paid federal holiday. This date is to be known as Juneteenth Independence day in recognition of June 19, 1865, when news of the end of slavery reached the southwestern states two months after the end of the American Civil War.  

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced that the Ohio EPA awarded $44K to McCartney Mobile Home Park (MHP).  This is an emergency generator grant, which is meant to help maintain water service and protect water supply during power outages. The grants will reimburse systems for the initial costs of generators and necessary accessories. 

State Representatives Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo), Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown), Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati) and Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) today sent a letter to Secretary of State Frank LaRose urging him to include return postage on absentee ballot application forms that will be mailed to all voters and on absentee ballots that are ultimately mailed to voters who request them. State law prohibits board of elections from making such an expenditure, but the secretary is not similarly barred. The federal CARES Act included funding to the states for unanticipated increased expenses due to COVID-19. The Controlling Board approved on Monday the state’s use of federal CARES Act funding for this year’s election. 

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) today introduced a concurrent resolution urging Congress to designate June 19^th a paid federal holiday. This date is to be known as Juneteenth Independence day in recognition of June 19, 1865 when news of the end of slavery reached the southwestern states two months after the end of the American Civil War.  

Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement following Gov. DeWine’s announced police reform recommendations Wednesday: 

COLUMBUS— Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) President State Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) today revealed ignored requests dating back several years to three different Speakers of the House – Larry Householder, Ryan Smith and Cliff Rosenberger – to show the repeated attempts of the OLBC to get the Majority party to address a hostile work environment in the Ohio House.

COLUMBUS – House Democrats announced Monday the state Controlling Board approved another round of funding to support Ohio’s efforts to control the COVID-19 outbreak and to ensure safe and secure elections this fall.

Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement following today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling which held LGBTQ workers are protected from workplace discrimination under federal law.