Democratic News

State Rep. John Rogers* (D-Mentor-on-the-Lake) today announced that the newly created Marsh Restoration Fund will receive $250,000 in state funds for the engineering, design and planning services for remediation of the Mentor Marsh, Ohio’s first natural landmark and one of the largest natural marshes along Lake Erie’s shoreline.  Yesterday, the state’s Controlling Board released these funds, previously approved in in the FY 2019-2020 biennial Capital Budget.  

“The Mentor Marsh is an important natural and historic landmark in Lake County and these dollars are the start of what will be a tremendous investment by Ohio in this project,” said Rep. Rogers. “This is just the beginning of the efforts toward restoring this area of the Marsh and ensuring this beautiful community asset lives on for future generations.”

State Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) and State Rep. and President of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) Alicia Reece (D-Cincinnati) responded today to Secretary of State Jon Husted’s announcement that his office is looking into the nearly 900 absentee ballots in Summit County that went uncounted this past election due to lack of postmarks. The Democratic lawmakers had previously called on the secretary of state to launch an investigation into the troubling postmark discrepancies that voided hundreds of votes. 

State Reps. Kevin Boyce (D-Columbus) and Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) recently introduced new legislation to create consistent standards which must be included in a law enforcement agency’s body camera policy. 

House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today issued a statement following the finalization of committee assignments for the 133^rd General Assembly:

“I’m proud of the tremendous leadership and experience our caucus brings to the table on the issues that matter most to Ohioans. I’m confident we were able to put the right people in the right places to begin addressing the challenges facing our state. Taxpayers deserve a cooperative approach to commonsense policies that let all of our children, families and residents experience the full opportunity and promise of Ohio.”

House Democratic Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton) today spoke out against anti-worker restrictions the Republican-controlled Ohio legislature continues to push this year. The latest attack on working families, Republican Tom Brinkman’s right to work” legislation – House Bill 377, would effectively weaken collective bargaining rights in the state by outlawing what are known as fair share fees, or costs stemming from the collective bargaining process that typically brings higher wages and better benefits for all employees, union and non-union alike. A Republican-led panel will consider Brinkman’s bill later this afternoon.

“So-called right to work restrictions do not create jobs – instead, they start a race to the bottom, lowering the quality of life for families by making people and communities poorer and workers less safe,” said Leader Strahorn. “Workers in right to work for less states take home less pay, face higher poverty and infant mortality rates, and are more likely to die on the job. There is a reason workers in Ohio are not lining up in support of right to work: because they know right to work is wrong. It is wrong for working families and it is wrong for our state.”

National studies show that workers in states with right to work for less restrictions have a 36 percent higher chance of dying on the job and are stuck in more low-wage occupations than workers in free-bargaining states like Ohio. The Economic Policy Institute calculates that workers in states with right to work restrictions earn $1,540 less a year, while U.S. Census Bureau data shows that median family income is at least $6,000 less compared to other states.

A study by The National Education Association also reveals that these same right to work for less states invest some $3,000 less per-pupil for public education than their free-bargaining counterparts. Children and families in right to work for less states are a

State Rep. and President of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) Alicia Reece (D-Cincinnati) joined Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) today in calling for a statewide investigation following troubling reports that hundreds of Akron voters had their absentee ballots voided because they lacked a postmark. 

State Rep. and President of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Alicia Reece (D-Cincinnati) and State Rep. Jonathan Dever (R-Cincinnati) recently held a news conference to discuss House Bill 380, newly introduced legislation to create a more transparent investigative process with deaths that result from a law enforcement officer’s use of a firearm.

Ohio House Democratic lawmakers today wrote a letter* to the Wright State University Board of Trustees urging them to come back to the negotiating table and work with teachers to put an end to the almost three-week faculty strike.

“As lawmakers, we want to attract talented workers to our state and provide them with the opportunities they need to build a life for their families here. Access to health care, fair compensation, safe working conditions and ensuring hardworking people have a seat at the bargaining table not only strengthens our workforce, but our entire state’s economy,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter.

State Reps. Michael P. Sheehy (D-Oregon) and Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown) provided sponsor testimony this week before the House Commerce and Labor Committee for House Bill 371 (HB 371), legislation to require freight train operating crews to consist of at least two people. 

State Reps. Denise Driehaus (D-Cincinnati) and Debbie Phillips (D-Albany) were joined by Dr. Jim Boyles, a licensed psychologist, and Jody Davis, a conversion therapy survivor, to observe Transgender Day of Remembrance and call for movement on a bill that would ban the practice of conversion therapy on minors.

State Reps. Michael Stinziano (D-Columbus) and Greta Johnson (D-Akron) offered sponsor testimony this morning on House Bill 262, legislation to allow  a municipal corporation to request assistance from the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC) in enforcing local discrimination ordinances.

In a speech to the Ohio House of Representatives Wednesday, newly elected Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) inspired her colleagues to look past themselves, politics and the walls of the Statehouse to work together for the people of Ohio. Sykes commended the Republican majority for meeting Democratic calls for bipartisan cooperation and reaffirmed her caucus’ commitment to working people and families in Ohio.

“I am thankful to the people of our district who put their faith in me to stand up and fight for our community,” Rep. Lepore-Hagan said. “We need to be focused on bringing quality jobs to our area while making investments in our communities and schools to drive economic growth and strategically prepare us for a better future and a higher quality of life. I am eager to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”

State Rep. Dan Ramos (D-Lorain) released the following statement today in response to U.S. Steel’s announcement of temporary layoffs due to steel plants being idled in Lorain, Ohio and Dallas, Texas:

“I am deeply concerned with the economic and social challenges any potential layoffs could present to our community. These are not just numbers in a ledger or an economic forecast, these are families faced with the possibility of losing their path to opportunity, security, stability and a fair shot at a higher quality of life.

“In the coming days and weeks, I will continue talking with the company, union, and state, local and federal officials so that we can be prepared to minimize the devastation this announcement may pose to working families in our state. I am hopeful we can come together to turn challenges into opportunities while getting people back to work.”

On Tuesday, State Rep. Tom Letson (D-Warren) criticized the Ohio House’s final concurrence on House Bill 5, legislation which makes drastic changes to the state’s municipal tax code. The legislation was approved despite broad opposition from local governments around the state.

“We are moving in a proactive approach. We must restore confidence in the justice system. Too many of our citizens—not only in Ohio, but throughout this country—have lost or are losing faith in the system. So today’s step, with an action-oriented task force, will allow us hear the voices and bring all the stakeholders to the table. But, it will also produce a corrective action plan that will restore faith, restore confidence and build relationships to bring our state together to be a leader and a model that other states can follow.” —Ohio Legislative Black Caucus President and State Rep. Alicia Reece (D-Cincinnati)

State Representative and Ohio Legislative Black Caucus President Alicia Reece (D-Cincinnati) issued the following statement today in response to the U.S. Department of Justice’s civil rights investigation into the Cleveland Police Department:  

“The Justice Department’s findings come at a critical time as so many citizens of our state and nation search for answers for these tragic shootings. It is no secret that recent tragedies involving Mike Brown, John Crawford III and Tamir Rice have strained relations between our local communities and law enforcement. While today’s announcement cannot bring back the lives lost, I believe it has taken us a step in the right direction for meaningful conversations surrounding race and our justice system. I hope and pray that we can continue to work toward a greater understanding in our state and nation.”

The Justice Department finding says that Cleveland Police have a pattern of using excessive force and that a court enforceable order will require monitoring of the department to ensure necessary reforms.

Rep. Reece is introducing “John Crawford’s Law” following the deadly police-led shooting of John Crawford III who was holding a BB gun he found on a shelf in a Beavercreek Walmart this summer. The legislation would require toy guns to be easily identified as such by having prominent fluorescent markings or finishes. Reece announced her legislation after Cleveland Police recently shot and killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice, who was also playing with a toy gun when police responded to a 911 call.

During her time as city councilwoman, Rep. Reece also played a role in brokering Cincinnati’s 2002 police-community relations collaborative agreement following the city’s 2001 riots sparked by the police shooting of 19-year-old Timothy Thomas.

Members of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) reelected State Rep. Alicia Reece (D-Cincinnati) to her second term as caucus president Tuesday evening.

“I want to thank the members for re-electing me to a second term,” said Rep. Reece. “We will build on the 47-year legacy and the work we started last General Assembly— fighting for a voting rights constitutional amendment, funding for early childhood education, increasing Minority Business Enterprise funding, reducing infant mortality, fighting to reduce unemployment of African Americans by creating jobs, opposing so-called “Stand Your Ground” legislation, sentencing reforms and health disparities. OLBC will focus on issues affecting the 1.4 million African Americans in our state, and we will be on the front lines as we deal with race relations heightened by the tragedies of John Crawford III and Tamir Rice here in Ohio.

Other caucus leadership positions will include:

-First Vice President, Sen. Edna Brown (D-Toledo).

-Second Vice President, Representative-elect Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland).

-Third Vice President, Representative-elect Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus).

-Treasurer, Senator-elect Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati).

-Secretary, Representative-elect Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland).

-Parliamentarian, Representative-elect Christie Bryant Kuhns (D-Cincinnati).

-Sergeant-at-Arms, Rep. Michael Ashford (D-Toledo).

In response to the fatal shootings of John Crawford III in a Dayton-area Walmart this summer and a 12 year-old-boy in Cleveland on Saturday, Ohio State Representative and President of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Alicia Reece (D-Cincinnati) today announced she will soon introduce legislation to require all BB guns, air rifles and airsoft guns sold in Ohio to be brightly colored or have prominent florescent strips.

New state jobs numbers today show Ohio’s unemployment rate ticked down over the last month, though the state only added 1,000 jobs in October. Ohio is some 110,000 jobs short of pre-recession job levels, not accounting for population growth over the same period. State Rep. and Democratic Leader-elect Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton) issued the following statement in response to the report:

“It is good to see the unemployment rate tick down, but our state only added 1,000 jobs last month. It is clear we have not even scratched the surface of a full recovery in Ohio. We are still 110,000 jobs behind 2007 employment, and with population growth, the significance of our job deficit is even more staggering.

“We have to make sure we are not just looking at the number of jobs, but also the quality of jobs. We must remain committed to investing in the industries of the future and the education of workers for those jobs. Ohioans need quality jobs that help families plan for the future, send their kids to college and improve their quality of life. In the next General Assembly, this will be our focus.” 

State Reps. Mike Foley (D-Cleveland) and Dan Ramos (D-Lorain) Friday discussed the suppression of a green jobs report that showed Ohio had significantly more jobs tied to renewable energy than the number estimated during the debate to freeze renewable energy standards.

State Reps. Connie Pillich (D- Montgomery) and Matt Lundy (D-Elyria) Thursday announced they will soon introduce the Ohio Military Lending Act, legislation to crack down on predatory lending targeting U.S. military members and their families. 

With Black Friday just around the corner, two Ohio lawmakers are fighting to ensure the retail shopping extravaganza does not wreak havoc on families’ traditional Thanksgiving values. State Rep. Mike Foley (D-Cleveland) and State Rep. Robert F. Hagan (D-Youngstown) Wednesday spoke in support of their bill that would shift the focus of the holiday back to spending time with family and loved ones.

State Rep. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) held a press conference at the Ohio Statehouse today to announce Aisha’s Law, a bill to change how law enforcement agencies respond to domestic violence cases. 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.