Democratic News

Ohio House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) and other Democratic lawmakers today issued a statement following Amazon’s announcement of more than 1500 jobs coming to Akron.  

State Reps. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) and Phil Robinson (D-Solon) today issued a joint statement applauding Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of a provision within the state budget, House Bill 166, that would have limited the ability of certain school districts to raise operating funds through local property taxes. 

Ohio House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today issued a statement following more than two-dozen budget bill vetoes by Gov. Mike DeWine.

“While he didn’t address all of our concerns, the governor did veto some problematic tax language Democrats opposed that would have made it harder for Ohio communities to deliver essential services and adequately fund their local school districts to give teachers and students the tools they need to succeed.

Ohio House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today issued a statement following the passage of the state budget, House Bill 166. The vote follows more than two weeks of Republican dysfunction and gridlock, which forced lawmakers to pass a short-term funding extension before finally compromising on a long-term deal late Tuesday. Sykes also sent a letter* to Governor DeWine on behalf of House Democrats urging him to veto several provisions in the bill they believe are not in the best interest of everyday Ohioans.

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today announced the launch of the Ohio Promise Tour, a statewide legislative town hall series hosted by House Democratic members to discuss the state budget, bipartisan priorities and a number of recent Democratic-led wins for working people and families.

State Rep. Randi Clites (D-Ravenna) and students at Kent State University today responded to a notification the university released Thursday informing students of a delay in issuing tuition bills due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the passage of the Ohio state budget.

“As legislators, it is our constitutional duty to pass a long-term budget by June 30. Interim budgets bring uncertainty and break the promise we made to taxpayers to do so. The delay in billing at Kent State shows the detrimental effects of missing the budget deadline has had on all Ohioans, including students who rely on financial aid and student loans,” said Rep. Clites. “In a state with one-party rule, we should not be putting Ohio students and families in such an uncertain position. I am committed to working together to get this done and I call on Statehouse Republicans to do the same.”

House Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today called on state lawmakers to recover funds lost by Ohio libraries during the ongoing 17-day temporary budget extension. Ohio’s public library systems have lost thousands of dollars under the bill, and stand to lose more if Republican lawmakers cannot reach a long-term deal by July 17.

Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today announced the selection of Amber Epling as Communications Director for the House Democratic Caucus.

House Democratic lawmakers from across Ohio today sent a letter to Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose seeking information from his office about the impact of moving the 2020 presidential primary from March 10 to March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. See the letter below.

Ohio House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today issued the following statement in response to Governor DeWine’s call to abandon fair tax reform in order to break ongoing Republican gridlock and quickly pass a budget – regardless of its fiscal impact on the state’s bottom line.