Democratic News

Monroe County Court Judge Jason A. Yoss today traveled to Columbus to shadow state Rep. Jack Cera (D-Bellaire) as part of the Judicial-Legislative Exchange hosted by the Ohio Judicial Conference.

“I am delighted to meet with Rep. Cera to discuss concerns we have in Monroe County and to hear his plans for helping the district. It was also good to reminisce about old times when I served as a Page for the House of Representatives at the Ohio Statehouse,” said Judge Yoss.

The Ohio Judicial Conference helps create uniformity in the application of the law, rules and practice through the state. Ultimately, the OJC helps determine the judicial impact that bills and resolutions have on the state.

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) today introduced House Bill 337 to create “Ohio Voter Registration Day” on the fourth Tuesday of every September. The bill will make Ohio an active participant in the National Voter Registration Day, which is being celebrated today with registration events around the country. 

Ballot Board members State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) and former Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) released the following statement today in response to the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision to overturn unlawful ballot language for Issue 3.

Rep. Clyde’s statement:

“I am pleased the Ohio Supreme Court has ordered the Ballot Board to meet again and follow the law this time. I voted against the original language because of its clearly misleading content and omissions. We have a duty to provide fair, unbiased language to the voters. In addition, county election officials are squeezed by an impossible timeline that requires them to print and mail ballots within 24 hours. This is a terrible way to run elections.”

Sen. Turner’s statement:

“The Ohio Supreme Court has rightly sent us back to the drawing board. Now it’s a race against the clock to get new language to the county boards of elections so that they can print their ballots in time to send them to military and overseas voters. It is my hope that we will approve language that clearly and accurately explains the issue to the voters and creates minimal disruptions to election officials who are working hard to serve Ohio’s voters. This last-minute change could have been avoided if the Board had done its duty correctly the first time.”

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) released the following statement in advance of Vice President Joe Biden’s visit* to Ohio State University (OSU) to advocate for changes in the way sexual assault is prevented and handled on college campuses: 

COLUMBUS— State Rep. Dan Ramos (D-Lorain) announced today that he and Rep. Rick Perales (R-Beavercreek) have introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month in Ohio. The designated month will fall from September 15 to October 15, 2015. 

“Throughout the decades, Americans of Hispanic descent have proudly defended our country in wars and enriched the lives of all Ohioans through contributions to such fields as business, technology, science, education, religion, entertainment, politics, and the arts,” said Ramos, who is of Puerto-Rican descent. “In light of these various contributions to our society, I am proud to formally recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month here in Ohio.” 

COLUMBUS— State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) released the following statement today in response to recently discovered comments made this summer by GOP county commissioners about online voter registration. 

Medina GOP County Commissioners have cited an unexplained threat of “fraud” to justify their lack of support for online voter registration. However, Commissioner Adam Friedrick went so far as to reveal his true thoughts about voting: “I think voting is a privilege that people should make more of an effort to exercise,” he said. “That’s why I think we should make it hard for people to vote, not easy.”

Rep. Clyde’s statement: 

“Although this statement by a GOP elected official is truly shocking, it perfectly describes the game plan of the GOP to restrict Ohioans’ right to vote. We have seen voting rights attacked by bill after bill and hundreds of thousands of voters purged from Ohio’s rolls. Let’s be very clear: voting is a RIGHT and it is our sworn duty as elected officials’ to uphold it and protect it.  

State Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) issued the following statement in response to calls from several State Board of Education members at today’s meeting for an independent investigation into the illegal data scrubbing done by David Hansen, Gov. Kasich’s campaign manager’s husband. 

State Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) today issued the following statement in response to the public records released by the Ohio Department of Education relating to the illegal charter school data scrubbing done by David Hansen, Gov. Kasich’s campaign manager’s husband.

COLUMBUS— State Reps. Jack Cera (D-Bellaire) and Michael Stinziano (D-Columbus) today issued a report and recommendations to fellow members of the Energy Mandate Study Committee (EMSC), urging the panel to include in its final report to the legislature the resumption of energy efficiency requirements balanced with investments in existing natural resources. In a letter to the ESMC chairmen, the legislators maintained that restoring Ohio’s energy benchmarks will diversify the state’s energy portfolio, cut energy costs for consumers, address public health concerns, and spur job growth in new and existing industries.

State Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) today issued the following statement in response to Gov. John Kasich’s reported response to the Ohio Department of Education’s delay in releasing public records associated with Kasich’s campaign manager’s husband scrubbing failing grades from online charter schools.

“It seems like a fair indication that charter school corruption has deep roots in our state, considering the governor is closely involved in the response to a six-week old public records request. ODE should have independently filled the request weeks ago with a volume of information that errs on the side of complete transparency and accountability.

“Given the amount of time that has passed since the request, and the fact that the Ohio Department of Education and the governor have a lot to lose if records reveal willful and systemic charter school corruption at the highest levels of government – an independent eye should have investigated the scandal with Mr. Kasich’s campaign manager’s husband when it first happened. It is unfortunate that, at this point, there is no way to trust or verify pending results that have likely been carefully picked over by multiple parties.”

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) today issued the following statement about the Secretary of State finally complying with the law requiring a public comment period for proposed directives: 

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) announced today the introduction of House Bill 309, legislation to fix a problem in the law that requires voters’ absentee ballots to be thrown out if they arrive on time at boards of elections without a postmark. 

Ohio House Democratic state lawmakers today voted against House Bill (HB) 228, the so-called Stand Your Ground bill, a Republican-sponsored effort to loosen gun safety standards by reducing firearm offenses, making it harder to prosecute gun violence cases and preempting local authority to enact commonsense safety protections for Ohio families.

“This free pass on gun violence makes us all less safe,” said House Democratic Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton). “Instead of listening to the thousands of students, parents and families who’ve spoken out and marched for commonsense gun safety measures, we’re turning our backs on them with this divisive, tone-deaf bill that goes dangerously beyond our reasonable self-defense laws to make Ohio a ‘shoot first’ state.”

State Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) today released the following statement after being gaveled down and having her microphone cut while giving an impassioned speech on the consequences Stand Your Ground legislation has had on minority communities:

In response to a scheduled Ohio House committee hearing tomorrow on House Bill 53, legislation to make Ohio a so-called “Right to Work” state for first responders, teachers, nurses and other public employees, Democratic House Finance Committee lead Rep. Jack Cera (D-Bellaire) issued the following statement:

“Right to work is wrong for Ohio because it puts our first responders last for safety gear, fair pay and healthcare protections for on-the-job injuries. States that have so-called “right to work” restrictions have more deaths on the job, lower wages and less healthcare.

“Ohioans shouldn’t be held hostage by an extreme and dangerous political agenda at their Statehouse. Elected officials need to put politics aside and refocus our efforts on reforms that will grow our economy, protect healthcare and give people the tools they need for a better life. Right to work is wrong for working families, wrong for the middle class and wrong for Ohio.”

State Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) today publicly released her October letter* to House Speaker Ryan Smith (D-Bidwell) asking for his support to move her legislation, House Bill 630, which would give career-ready Ohio high school seniors the opportunity to graduate in 2019 and 2020. Without legislative action, 51,893 Ohio high school seniors will not graduate this year, according to Ohio Department of Education data.

“As the State School Board and many in the legislature, under your leadership, move to bring Ohio standards in line with modern day needs and workforce demands, I ask for your support for House Bill 630 to meet Ohio seniors where they are in 2019 and 2020 by ensuring these career-ready students are not being held back by an outdated system,” Galonski wrote in her Oct. 24 letter to Speaker Smith.

Ohio House Democratic Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton) today released a letter* sent to Governor-elect Mike DeWine that applauds the incoming governor’s commitment to unifying the state and working with Democrats and Republicans to bring about meaningful change to benefits all Ohioans.

“I am compelled by your uniting words to find common ground on common sense policies that grow our economy, better our educational outcomes, and protect healthcare,” Strahorn wrote in the letter.

The House leader sees the final weeks of legislative session as an opportunity to give the incoming administration a head start on important issues like strengthening Ohio manufacturing, taking on the opioid crisis, and giving Ohio students the opportunity they need to succeed in the workforce.

State Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) today recognized the month of November as National Family Caregivers Month. The Family Caregiver Alliance defines a family caregiver as “any relative, partner, friend or neighbor who has a significant personal relationship with, and provides a broad range of assistance for, an older person or an adult with a chronic or disabling condition.” This year’s theme is “Supercharge Your Caregiving” to highlight how family members can utilize support tools to improve the quality of life for their loved one and make their job easier as a caregiver.

“It can be challenging caring for a relative while completing daily tasks. Luckily, with the advent of new technology to check vital signs, access online patient records, and connect with support groups, these challenges can be decreased.” said Sykes. “In the General Assembly, it is important we recognize the work of family givers and provide support to services such as respite care.”

State Rep. Dan Ramos (D-Lorain) last Thursday called on state leaders to follow the longstanding Ohio law that recognizes Election Day from noon to 5:30 p.m. as a legal state holiday in the Buckeye State. The legal holiday designation for Election Day was reaffirmed in 1953, but has been state law for 128 years, dating back to Gov. James Edwin Campbell’s signature of Senate Bill 174 in the 69^th Ohio General Assembly.

“The fact is that part of Election Day has been a legal holiday in Ohio for 128 years.  We simply have not been following the law,” wrote Ramos in a letter to Gov. John Kasich and Republican legislative leaders.* “I am requesting that you use the power of your office to follow Chapter 5.20 of the General Provisions of the Ohio Revised Code to close state offices not related to elections on Election Day at noon.”

State Reps. Jack Cera (D-Bellaire), Thomas West (D-Canton) and David Leland (D-Columbus) will deliver remarks in a mural dedication ceremony honoring the nation’s first professional African American baseball player, Moses Fleetwood Walker, on Sunday, October 7 at 1:30 p.m. in Steubenville. Legislation sponsored by the lawmakers naming October 7, Walker’s birthday, as “Moses Fleetwood Walker Day” in the state of Ohio was signed into law last year.

“Walker’s life story is a perfect example of how we must continue working together to create a world in which everyone has the opportunity to reach their God-given potential,” said Cera. “I’m glad that Jefferson County is memorializing such a gifted athlete and brave American.”

Walker began his professional baseball career with the Toledo Blue Stockings in 1883, but his career was cut short in 1889 when both the American Association and the National League unofficially banned African American players. It was not until 1947 when the Brooklyn Dodgers’ Jackie Robinson finally broke the color barrier.

“Honoring Moses Walker is more than just remembering a baseball player,” said Leland. “It is a reminder of who we are as a Nation, whose Constitution vows to protect everyone’s inalienable rights to ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness’. It is also a cautionary tale, because sometimes, after we get something right, we lose our way. So as we honor Moses Fleetwood Walker, we remember that the battle for equality and justice is never finished.”

The mural was painted by artist Ruston Baker. An exhibit on Walker, housed in the Jefferson County Historical Association Museum, will be open to the public that day.

“Moses Walker is yet another hidden figure that is owed the respect for breaking color barriers during the era of Jim Crow and violent raci

State Rep. Kent Smith (D-Euclid) today responded to inaccurate report card grades given to East Cleveland schools by state education officials. The false information was uncovered by a WEWS investigative news report late Tuesday.

“The school district report cards are not just confusing and inaccurate, they are often times just plain wrong,” said Smith. “That is why there is bipartisan support to end the state takeover of local schools that relies on such a faulty measure.”

State Rep. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) today expressed her support and applauded council members’ leadership in the passage of the human rights ordinance by Cuyahoga County Council. The ordinance passed by an 8-3 majority Tuesday evening, making Cuyahoga County the first county in Ohio to ban discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. It will also create a human rights commission that will investigate and rule on complaints.

“This is both a civil rights and an economic issue,” said Rep. Antonio. “I am hopeful that the passage of this important county ordinance will be instrumental in helping statewide efforts to ban discrimination against people in the LGBT community. Nondiscrimination policies have the potential to serve as an economic catalyst to drive innovation, spur investment and attract the best and brightest to Ohio. Above all, it is the right thing to do.”

State Rep. John Patterson (D-Jefferson) today announced over 1,700 schools throughout the state will share in some $12 million in school safety grants made possible through the Jefferson lawmaker’s bipartisan legislation, House Bill 318. The state grants require local schools and county board to work with local law enforcement to determine the best use of the funds.

“The ability to foster safe, healthy, and supportive environments in schools is crucial to the wellbeing and education of our children,” said Patterson, “When we invest training, safety equipment, and critical educational and mental health resources, we invest in their future.”