Democratic News

COLUMBUS— The Ohio House today approved the strictest anti-abortion bill in the nation, the six week ban, largely along party lines. House Bill 69 would outlaw abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected, as early as 6 weeks gestation—often before a woman knows she is pregnant. H.B. 69 makes an exception only in cases where the life of the mother is at risk and does not include exceptions for rape or incest.

The bill, which was introduced and failed to garner adequate support during the last two General Assemblies, is generally recognized as unconstitutional. Democratic lawmakers say the bill would amount to a near total abortion ban and is in direct violation of Roe v. Wade which established viability, not a heartbeat, as the determining factor for whether or not abortions should be legal.

“I voted against this legislation because I support a woman’s right to make her own health care choices free from government intrusion.”- Rep. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights)

 In 2014, federal judges overturned so-called fetal heartbeat legislation in North Dakota and Arkansas.

State Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown) and State Rep. Heather Bishoff (D-Blacklick) announced today the introduction of legislation aimed at preventing unintended pregnancies and abortions through increased education and access to resources. The Ohio Prevention First Act, House Bill 132, would prevent unintended pregnancies by offering comprehensive, abstinence-inclusive sex education for teens; increasing access to birth control, including emergency contraception for rape survivors; and creating a state Teen Pregnancy Prevention Task.

“Half of all unintended pregnancies end in abortion. If the legislature wants to be serious about preventing abortion, it would devote more resources to providing comprehensive sex-ed and access to contraception-- it is as simple as that,” said Rep. Lepore-Hagan.

State Representative Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) released the following statement in response to Secretary of State Jon Husted’s comments on the attack on student voting rights:

“Secretary Husted today described voting in Ohio as a "privilege" and described Democratic legislative concerns about the voting rights attached in the transportation budget as "hysteria" and "hysterics". He wrongly claimed the Senate Republicans' provision will not affect voting by students in Ohio when, in reality, it will cause students who register and vote in Ohio to pay $75 or more to get new documents from the BMV or be fined $150 to $1000 and face jail time.

“I believe Secretary Husted is mistaken about the legal implications of this provision and I am disappointed to hear him dismiss the concerns of our congressional representatives, Judge Nathaniel Jones, my colleagues and myself as "hysteria." The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits voter intimidation such as using one's voter registration status to target, investigate, prosecute, and criminally punish them for unrelated matters. Over 100,000 students come to Ohio to further their education and this provision will surely intimidate them and cause them to not register to vote, even though it is their fundamental right to do so.”

The Ohio House today agreed on changes to House Bill 2 (HB 2), a bipartisan education bill to increase transparency and accountability in Ohio’s troubled charter schools. Despite a monthslong process of public debate, a number of Democratic lawmakers objected to a last minute restriction blocking new teachers at charter schools from being a part of the state pension system. The change came as part of negotiations during Tuesday’s conference committee.

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) released the following statement on the introduction of a new bill to create an Address Confidentiality Program for Ohioans impacted by domestic violence. 

“I am very pleased that the Address Confidentiality Program is closer then ever to becoming a reality for the many Ohioans whose lives are impacted by domestic violence and the sometimes paralyzing fear of an abuser. An ACP program will offer a lifeline to these individuals, allowing them to engage in simple acts like voting without fear for their lives or the lives of their children. I have worked on legislation to create such a program for six years. ACP legislation was approved unanimously by the House in 2010, and we should work to pass it in both chambers and send it to the Governor before the end of 2015.”

Today State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D–Kent) and Democratic lawmakers stood with the League of Women Voters and an Ohio State student leader to denounce an attack on student voting rights included in the Senate’s version of the state transportation budget. 

State Reps. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo), Michael Ashford (D-Toledo) and Michael P. Sheehy (D-Oregon) recently released the following statement mourning the loss of former House Minority Leader and Toledo Mayor, Councilman Jack Ford:

“The people of Toledo and the State of Ohio mourn the loss of a great leader, colleague and friend Jack Ford. Toledo’s first black mayor and former House Minority Leader, Jack was a tremendous public servant whose legacy of mentorship and selfless service to our city and state will not be forgotten.

“Our most heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.”

State Rep. Sean J. O’Brien (D–Bazetta) and U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan (D- OH 13) will travel to Cuba this month to meet with Cuban officials and study ways to strengthen Ohio’s economic ties with the island nation. Joining O’Brien and Ryan on the research mission will be Atty. Luis M. Alcalde of Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter and Vista Trade Group, and several northeastern Ohio business leaders.

Ohio House Democratic members hosted a press conference today to speak out against the recent attacks on women’s access to healthcare. Led by State Rep. Greta Johnson (D-Akron), the lawmakers introduced a package of bills aimed at securing and expanding women’s access to comprehensive healthcare services.

“The women and families of our state deserve better and need not apologize for demanding access to comprehensive healthcare,” said Johnson. “We are not damsels in distress tied to the train tracks, waiting to be rescued. We have the fundamental right to make healthcare decisions about our own bodies.”

Ohio House Democratic members hosted a press conference today to speak out against the recent attacks on women’s access to healthcare. Led by State Rep. Greta Johnson (D-Akron), the lawmakers introduced a package of bills aimed at securing and expanding women’s access to comprehensive healthcare services.

WATCH Rep. Johnson deliver her powerful closing above.

Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) President and State Rep. Alicia Reece announced a $300,000 job partnership renewal between the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati today during a press conference at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio headquarters. 

The Ohio House Democratic Caucus today announced former state legislator and U.S. Congressman John Boccieri was sworn-in to represent citizens of the 59th House district. The return to the statehouse marks a full circle for the Poland lawmaker, who began his political career in the Ohio House in 2001 before quickly ascending to the Ohio Senate and then the U.S. Congress.

“It is an honor to again have the opportunity to serve my community and work alongside the dedicated public servants in the Ohio House,” Boccieri said. “I am committed to working toward practical solutions that expand economic opportunities for families in the Mahoning Valley and across Ohio.”

A screening committee led by Caucus Dean Rep. Jack Cera (D-Bellaire) and including Reps. Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown), Kevin Boyce (D-Columbus), Debbie Phillips (D-Albany) and John Rogers (D-Mentor-on-the-Lake) considered three candidates to fill the vacancy. 

“All three candidates impressed the screening committee with their commitment to public service and dedication to fighting for middle class values,” said Cera. “Ultimately, Rep. Boccieri’s extensive public service experience and the recommendation by local Mahoning County leaders contributed to our decision. I am confident we made the right choice and look forward to working with Rep. Boccieri.”

Former Boardman Township Trustee Robin Gallito and Boardman School Board member John Landers were also considered for the seat.

“John’s experience and perspective will be an immeasurable asset to our caucus,” said Minority Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton). “During his time in Columbus and in our nation’s capital, he built a track record of consistently working to improve the quality of life for Ohio families. We are excited to have Rep. Boccieri on board.”

Boccieri previously served in the Ohio House from 2001-200

The following statement may be attributed in full or in part to Representative Michael Stinziano (D-Columbus), a member of the Energy Mandates Study Committee (EMSC), on the report issued today by the committee. 

House Democratic Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton) issued the following statement in response to the announcement of Wright State University as the location for the first U.S. presidential debate:

“It is only fitting that Ohio, the quintessential swing state, will host the first presidential debate of 2016. I thank the Commission on Presidential Debates for choosing Ohio, and I have no doubt Wright State University is the right choice to represent the values of the Buckeye State and the hardworking folks who call her home.”

State Reps. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) and Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) today announced the introduction of House Bill 330, the Ohio Equal Pay Act. The legislation aims to address the persistent problem of unequal pay between women and men. 

The Ohio Senate today reinstated a controversial restriction in the state transportation budget that would prohibit communities from requiring that public construction projects completed with state or federal money employ a minimum amount of local Ohioans.

The controversial prohibition returns to House Bill 53 after a House panel nixed the restriction that brought sharp criticism from Akron City officials, State Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) and other Democratic lawmakers. Sykes successfully drafted an amendment that removed the controversial language.

“This restriction could have a dangerous and untold reach into our urban communities which will disproportionately impact African Americans who remain unemployed at a rate three times higher than the state average,” said Rep. Sykes. “This could hurt local communities and jeopardize Ohio jobs, and we haven’t seen any information that says otherwise.”

From the first six female legislators elected in 1923 to the nearly 200 women who have served in the Ohio General Assembly since, our state is rich in examples of women who have leant their names to Ohio’s history with courage, leadership and determination. We celebrate the many contributions of women during Women’s History Month in March.  And at the Ohio Statehouse, we can celebrate our past and present women lawmakers every time we walk through those hallowed halls.

State Representatives Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) and Mike Curtin (D-Marble Cliff) are seeking to present their congressional redistricting reform proposal, HJR 2, to members of the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission. Yesterday, they sent the following letter to the Chairman and Vice Chairwoman of the Legislative and Executive Branch Committee:

The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies recently released its “State of Poverty” report, which shows 1.8 million Ohioans, or 16 percent, living in poverty and nearly half of Ohio households living paycheck to paycheck. Ohio’s children and young adults are more likely to be living in poverty, with rates above 20 percent.

House Democratic Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton) issued the following statement in response to the report:

“The bitter truth is that prosperity in our state hasn’t been broad enough, leaving too many Ohioans living in poverty. Our state continues a troubling and dangerous ten-year trend, during which poverty in Ohio has continued to top national rates. Though some Ohioans are better off today than they were ten years ago, the opportunity for a higher quality of life has yet to reach almost two million Ohioans. Our economic approach needs to better reflect this reality with policies that strengthen Ohio’s families through fair tax policies, access to healthcare, good-paying middle class jobs and an affordable, world-class education system.”

Ohio Legislative Black Caucus President and State Rep. Alicia Reece (D-Cincinnati) is traveling to Selma, Alabama tomorrow, Friday, March 6 for events commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the first historic march that ushered in a civil rights consciousness throughout the nation and ultimately led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

“From Selma to Ohio, we are beginning the next chapter in a new generation’s fight for our most basic and sacred rights,” said Reece. “Fifty years later, too many are left wondering where we go from Selma. I view this trip not only as a celebration of the civil rights movement, but as a rededication to our generation’s fight for fairness and justice on new frontlines like Ohio.”

State Reps. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) and Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) today announced the introduction of House Bill 330, the Ohio Equal Pay Act. The legislation aims to address the persistent problem of unequal pay between women and men.