Democratic News

Democratic state Reps. Jeff Crossman (D-Parma), Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown), Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) and Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) will hold a press conference TOMORROW, Thursday, Oct. 17, at 9:30 a.m. in the Harding Senate Press Briefing Room to introduce legislation to extend unemployment benefits and food assistance to union workers fighting for fair wages, better benefits and safer working conditions. The call comes amid a nationwide strike by UAW employees as they reach a tentative agreement today on the 31^st day of the strike with General Motors.

State Reps. Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood) and Brett Hillyer (R-Uhrichsville) today introduced the Ohio Fairness Act, bipartisan legislation to modernize state law to bar discrimination against LGBTQ Ohioans in employment, housing and public accommodations. 

State Rep. Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati) today applauded the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 26, which includes a provision she sponsored to eliminate Ohio sales taxes on feminine hygiene products, commonly known as the Pink Tax, which would save Ohio women millions of dollars each year. She released the following statement: 

State Rep. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) today introduced a bill to designate October 11 as “Coming Out Day” in Ohio.

“By recognizing this day, the Ohio General Assembly can acknowledge that coming out is one of the most courageous steps any LGBTQ+ person can take,” said Rep. Boyd. “Our recognition of that courage helps counter bigotry, ignorance and fear, and is an integral part of our collective, continued progress towards full equality.”

House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today issued a statement following the governor’s press conference Monday afternoon outlining his gun safety plan:

Ohio House Democrats today sent a letter to Secretary of State Frank LaRose calling on him to reverse most of the voter purge that has occurred over the last past several weeks. Errors in the process have been continually revealed and the status of each person on the “last chance” list is still unknown. The deadline to register to vote is Monday, October 7. 

State Reps. Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown) and Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) today recognized October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and announced the introduction of House Bill (HB) 351, legislation allowing tenants to terminate their rental agreement if they are a victim of domestic violence or rape.

House Democratic lawmakers today held a press conference detailing the next steps of their Ohio Promise legislative campaign. Democrats said safety and security issues, including commonsense gun safety, are top priorities as the state legislature returns for its fall session dates.

“Democrats are committed to working together to continue delivering results for Ohio taxpayers that renew our promise of safer schools, safer communities and greater economic security for you and your family at every stage of life,” said Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron).

House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) and Rep. Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood) joined Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein and Equality Ohio today to urge action on the Ohio Fairness Act to protect LGBTQ+ Ohioans from discrimination in employment, housing and accommodations.

House Democrats announced the conclusion of their Ohio Promise Town Hall Tour this week, which saw more than two dozen stops in cities across the state over the past two months. In the wake of the mass shooting in Dayton in August, Ohioans all across the state came out to urge action on commonsense gun safety, an issue Democrats say is a top concern heading into the fall session.