Democratic News

State Rep. Jessica E. Miranda (D-Forest Park) today sent a letter to Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) calling for transparency and clarity on the House’s handling of coronavirus cases. Last week, House HR staff misidentified a Miranda staffer in its attempt to respond to potential coronavirus exposure among Republican staff. Democrats said that had the mistake not occurred, they would have been kept in the dark entirely.

COLUMBUS – House Democrats announced Monday the state Controlling Board approved another round of federal funding to support Ohio’s efforts to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, including $300 million in federal funding to offset Ohio’s K-12 schools and colleges and university’s costs of keeping students and staff safe in the fall.

COLUMBUS— House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement following a memorandum from Speaker of the House Larry Householder (R-Glenford) that the entire House of Representatives would be once again put under Work From Home status beginning tomorrow after a suspected COVID-19 outbreak among Republican staff was brought to light by Democratic representatives and staff and in response to public outrage of the Republicans' handling of this issue.

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.

COLUMBUS – State Representatives Joe Miller (D-Amherst), Thomas West (D-Canton) and Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) have introduced two related bills that would tackle key issues surrounding police departments in Ohio. The legislation would ultimately allow the chief of police of a municipal corporation to conduct training schools for prospective law enforcement officers. The goal is to create a new unclassified position called “cadets” within the police department, allow for exceptional appointment of candidates with ideal qualifications and resolve any issues regarding lateral transfers within statutory cities.  

House Democrats, led by Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron), today announced the kickoff to the Ohio Promise Virtual Town Hall Tour, a series of virtual town halls this summer where local lawmakers will discuss statewide issues like COVID-19, jobs and the economy, racial justice and police reforms. 

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.

While Ohioans were sleeping, House Democratic lawmakers were offering two amendments on the House floor late Thursday and early Friday that would have prohibited the sale, display, possession or distribution of Confederate memorabilia at county and independent fairs, following a similar rule instituted by the Ohio State Fair in 2015. The motions came during floor debate on House Bill 665, which made several other changes to laws on local and county fairs. The U.S. Marines, U.S. Navy and NASCAR recently announced similar bans on Confederate memorabilia. Republicans rejected the amendments largely along party lines, voting instead to protect the sale of the Confederate flag. 

COLUMBUS—Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) today applauded the House concurrence of House Bill (HB) 11, her bill to improve prenatal and maternal health outcomes. This Democratic priority legislation now moves to the governor’s desk for his signature.

House Democrats today voted against House Bill 425, a GOP-backed bill that would modify concealed carry laws, eliminating the requirement for licensees to promptly notify law enforcement of their permit and if they are carrying. The bill also eliminates penalties for failure to notify, which opponents say will lead to confusion and potentially dangerous escalation—especially for people of color.

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today issued a statement as the Ohio House passed House Bill (HB) 481, which would distribute $350 million in federal CARES Act funds to aid coronavirus response in Ohio communities.

COLUMBUS—Today, House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) released the following statement about the unexpected resignation of Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton:

COLUMBUS— Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) President State Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) today issued a statement in response to state Senator Steven Huffman’s (R-Tipp City) being fired from his job as an emergency room physician at Upper Valley Medical Center.

COLUMBUS— Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) President State Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) today issued a statement in response to state Senator Steven Huffman’s (R-Tipp City) question Tuesday about whether “colored” people get COVID-19 from not washing their hands as much.

State Rep. Beth Liston (D-Dublin) issued a statement today following the passage of House Bill 624,Republican legislation that would require the release of certain COVID-19 related data, which Liston says will make it more difficult for health departments to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.