Democratic News

Top democratic lawmakers in both the House and Senate today called on the State Board of Education to dismiss Superintendent Dick Ross, citing the recent scandal involving the cover up of failing charter school grades in state evaluations, the plan to takeover the Youngstown public schools crafted behind closed doors, and general lack of accountability to the State Board of Education and the public. 

State Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) today called on State Auditor Dave Yost to launch an official investigation into reports that Education Department officials illegally manipulated a key evaluation of charter school oversight agencies by omitting failing grades from many online charters. The deliberate omission by officials boosted the ratings of two oversight agencies, potentially qualifying them for new state perks. 

State Representatives David Leland (D-Columbus) and Michael Stinziano (D-Columbus) today announced plans to introduce legislation to prevent the destruction of natural buffer zones growing around Hoover Reservoir. The legislation will repeal a provision included in the state budget that allows residents to significantly alter those zones.

State Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) today called for the resignation of State Superintendent Richard Ross and an investigation into the Ohio Department of Education after it was reported that top department officials neglected to include failing online schools in a key evaluation of charter school oversight agencies. The deliberate omission by officials boosted the ratings of two oversight agencies, potentially qualifying them for new state perks. 

“I am outraged by what appears to be a deliberate violation of the law in order to cover up the widespread failure of online and dropout recovery charter schools. I believe the state superintendent should step down immediately as the result of alleged violations and data-scrubbing of online charter schools grades that took place under his leadership.” 

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) today announced the formal introduction of House Bill 181, the Registration Modernization Act, which will modernize voter registration in Ohio and potentially add over 1 million people to the voting rolls. The bill was referred to the House Government Accountability and Oversight Committee of which Rep. Clyde is the ranking minority member.

“I am proud to offer HB 181, the Registration Modernization Act, to make the first step to the ballot box much easier for all Ohioans,” said Rep. Clyde. “There is a wide gap between the haves and have-nots in this country and voting access should not fall into that gap. We can move toward greater equality and a healthier democracy by welcoming and empowering every Ohioan to vote.”

The Registration Modernization Act will do the following:

-          Automatically register to vote all Ohioans with a drivers’ license or state ID.

-          Automatically register to vote all Ohioans who interact with Jobs and Family Services offices and other agencies designated by the federal Motor Voter law.

-          Automatically register to vote all graduating Ohio high school students who are eligible to vote.

-          Allow every person 21 days to opt out of voter registration in person or by mail.

-          Provide online voter registration for all eligible Ohioans, not just those with a photo ID.

-          Potentially add over 1 million eligible Ohioans to the voting rolls and update thousands more.

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The Ohio House Education Committee today favorably passed Rep. Denise Driehaus’ (D-Cincinnati) bipartisan legislation, House Bill 70, unanimously. Based on Cincinnati’s Community Learning Centers (CLC), the model would allow any Ohio school to work with parents and community members to provide supplemental services for students such as on-site healthcare, dental care, tutoring, recreation and mental health services.

“I am thrilled by the bipartisan support for this legislation,” said Rep. Driehaus. “This was an important step in the process of allowing our schools to transform their buildings beyond the traditional place of providing only education. Many other states have come to visit Cincinnati’s model and now all of Ohio will have the opportunity to be on the forefront of twenty-first century education.”

HB 70 brings families, residents, students, educators and business leaders together to review the strengths and needs of their individual communities to decide how best to support students and their families. Together, the group decides which services are important for children in the neighborhood. Public-private partnerships are a key element to the CLCs. The partners use their own dollars to provide services so that no additional education funding is necessary.

Ranking Democratic member on the House Education Committee, State Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) today issued the following statement in response to reported allegations that an online charter school, Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA), has been collecting taxpayer money for hundreds of students who should have been withdrawn for truancy many months ago:

“The detailed information my office received demands a thorough investigation. OHVA has a long history of poor academic performance, and now we are seeing a pattern of poor fiscal performance. We must put in place the reforms needed to ensure it does not happen again– for Ohio’s taxpayers and for our children.”

Today, Fedor sent a letter to the House Education Committee detailing the attendance rigging allegations.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed House Bill 47 today, which was introduced by Reps. Denise Driehaus and Lou Blessing III.  The law will allow certain cities to create Outdoor Refreshment Districts, where the public can enjoy an alcoholic beverage outside, within a specified area of an Ohio community.

"This law will help create economic opportunity for our communities while growing local Ohio businesses. These districts will become destination spots which will create excitement and provide a critical mass of customers for the restaurants, bars and shops in the district and nearby,”  Driehaus said. 

The new law will allow cities with a population of over 35,000 to apply for Outdoor Refreshment District areas within their cities. Specifically, it will allow cities with a population between 35,000 and 50,000 to create one Outdoor Refreshment District, while cities with over 50,000 will have the opportunity to create two. After two years, cities with populations of less than 35,000 will be permitted to create a district if they meet certain requirements.

Ohio Legislative Black Caucus President (OLBC) and State Rep. Alicia Reece (D-Cincinnati) released the following statement after joining Gov. John Kasich and her colleagues on the state’s 24-member Community-Police Relations Task Force today to present their recommendations on strengthening Ohio’s justice system:

“I am proud of our recommendations we put forth and believe they are the first step in restoring faith and trust in our justice system. I am also pleased that the governor used our work in Cincinnati as a model for a collaborative approach in implementing these recommendations at a statewide level.

“We need to hold this effort and public officials in our state accountable to ensure that the first step we took today is not the last, but the beginning of real and lasting reform. I am hopeful the legislature takes our findings seriously as well and works with us on justice reform bills to give our work the permanence and funding needed to make our communities open for people of all backgrounds to lead happy and productive lives free from fear.

“In addition to reforms in our justice system, we must also take seriously the need for economic reforms that level the playing field for all people—regardless of race—to have a fair shot at prosperity in our state. I look forward to seeing a report on our progress before summer begins.”

While serving as city councilwoman, Rep. Reece played an integral role in brokering Cincinnati’s 2002 police-community relations collaborative agreement following the city’s 2001 race riots sparked by the police shooting of 19-year-old Timothy Thomas. 

State Rep. Greta Johnson (D-Akron) today applauded the House Judiciary panel’s passage of House Bill 123, the lawmaker’s bipartisan bill to eliminate some costly pre-sentence investigation reports (PSI) in an effort to clean up Ohio’s judicial system.

“This legislation benefits taxpayers and connects offenders with immediate access to the treatment and services they so desperately need,” said Rep. Johnson. “We have a real shot at saving hundreds of dollars per case in administrative costs while increasing community safety and overall efficiency of the judicial system. I am pleased that the Ohio Supreme Court and the House of Representatives recognize this as an unnecessary burden on local communities and their dwindling funds.”

At a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony this afternoon, State Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) and several leaders of the community celebrated the opening of a Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute within the College of Social Justice and Human Service at the University of Toledo.

“I’m honored to be part of the formal dedication of the University of Toledo’s Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute,” said Rep. Fedor. “UT’s Human Trafficking Institute will build on the landmark research and prestigious work of UT Professor Dr. Celia Williamson, and it will have a profound impact, not just locally, but worldwide. As the only one of its kind, the work of this institute will go a long way toward rescuing and restoring victims, as well as aiding in the prosecution of the criminals.”

State Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown) has urged Speaker of the House Cliff Rosenberger to convene a special session in order to hold a vote to override the governor’s veto of a budget provision related state developmental centers. Lepore-Hagan’s bipartisan provision in the recently passed state budget would have stayed the closure of the Youngstown and Montgomery Developmental Centers until further review by a 13-member commission.

State Reps. Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) and Niraj Antani (R-Miami Township) today called for an end to capital punishment in Ohio and introduced bipartisan legislation to abolish the death penalty and replace it with a life sentence without parole.

Wednesday, State Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) and Ohio House Democratic Caucus members stood in opposition to the state’s two-year budget proposal, House Bill 64. Democratic legislators said the bill failed to lay out a real plan for the future of the state and instead advanced partisan attacks on working Ohioans and policies that rig the tax system to help the richest one-percent and special interests.

Democrats offered several alternative proposals* that would have put more money in the pockets of middle class Ohioans, stopped attacks on working Ohioans, ensured equal pay for women, reduced the state’s sales tax and maintained access to healthcare for pregnant working mothers and women needing cancer treatment. The Democratic proposals were shot down along party lines.

“I am very disappointed that the Ohio House has decided against working families by passing this budget,” said Rep. Sykes. “I'm especially disappointed that an amendment I offered that would reduce Ohio's abysmal infant mortality rate was tabled. People say, ‘Show me your budget and I'll show you your priorities.’ The Ohio House showed us that working families, pregnant women, babies and an educated work force are not our priorities."

Today, State Rep. and highest ranking Democrat on the state budget panel Denise Driehaus (D-Cincinnati) stood in opposition to the state’s two-year, $131.6 billion budget proposal, House Bill 64. Democratic members said a bill of that magnitude should have been a strategic and targeted blueprint to grow the state’s economy for the future, but instead became a vehicle for tax cuts that favor the richest one-percent and last-minute attacks on working Ohioans.

“This budget doesn’t work to provide a real plan for the future of Ohio,” said Driehaus. “Not only does this budget fail to lay out a plan for growing and strengthening our middle class and Ohio’s economy for the future, it attacks working and middle class Ohioans.”

State Rep. Kent Smith (D-Euclid) today announced a proposal to promote music industry growth in Ohio. The proposed Ohio Sound Recording Investor Tax Credit, or "OhioSounds," would provide incentives for music production, studio construction and recording within the state. Smith submitted the proposal for consideration in the state budget.

“OhioSounds would solidify the state’s commitment to our musical legacy and help encourage further creative endeavors from Ohio musicians while driving economic growth in a competitive industry and making Ohio a destination for musicians and producers,” said Rep. Smith. “This will not only inspire the next generation of The Black Keys or Bootsy Collins, but will provide a substantial economic return for communities across the state.”

Current data lists music industry revenues at nearly $7 billion annually. Rep. Smith wants to see some of that investment come to Ohio.

Rep. Smith’s proposal would provide tax credits for 25 percent of the related sound recording production costs for music projects created in Ohio. It would also refund 25 percent of music studio construction and recording infrastructure costs. To qualify for OhioSounds, production costs must exceed $5,000 per project, with a maximum incentive set at $50,000. If OhioSounds becomes law, the total amount of initial incentives would be capped at $3 million.

“We have the ability to attract talent not only from Ohio, but across the globe to create music, pioneer new technologies and contribute to our local economies. It’s a win-win,” said Smith. “We have the opportunity for people to be exposed to and fall in love with more Ohio talent. I think its a solid gold opportunity— maybe even platinum.”

State Rep. John Patterson (D-Jefferson) recently introduced bipartisan legislation with Rep. Sarah LaTourette (R-Chesterland) to give a boost to local maple producers and businesses while putting recognized best practices in place for sustainable forest management throughout the state.

“Maple syrup products generate over $5 million annually for our state’s economy, and a lot of that comes from right here, in our community,” said Patterson, who serves as a ranking member on the Ohio House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. “By strengthening local maple businesses and producers, we’re also strengthening our woodlands through sustainable practices that ensure a strong industry and strong local businesses for generations to come.”

The proposed law change, House Bill 606, exempts local producers and businesses from paying taxes on land used for maple syrup and sap production, and reimburses local schools and communities for any loss in local revenue. Under the bill, small businesses and producers who drill 30 taps on at least 12 trees per acre would also need to adopt a forest management plan in place to qualify for the tax exemption.

“I’m pleased to sponsor House Bill 606 with Rep. Patterson, what we believe to be a modest proposal to assist Ohio’s maple producers who practice a craft so rich in cultural significance to our great State,” said Rep. Sarah LaTourette.

“In our corner of the state, we know the important role a safe and healthy habitat play in economic development and our overall quality of life,” Patterson added. “Whether we’re welcoming tourists to share in our community’s natural beauty or we’re spending time fishing, hunting or just enjoying the outdoors, a vibrant environment is at the forefront of what we love about the region we call home.”

The legislation will soon be assigned to a House committee w

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) today announced her new plan to close secret money loopholes, increase transparency and strengthen the ban on foreign money in Ohio elections with new legislation, the Ohio Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections Act, or DISCLOSE ACT.

Following former Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger's abrupt resignation amid questions of possible FBI inquiries into matters he may have been involved with, two House lawmakers are saying the House and taxpayers deserve more answers, and soon. 

State Reps. David Leland and Kristin Boggs are asking two outside parties to indepently investigate the nature and extent of potential corruption at the Ohio House to ensure lawmakers can continue the People's work without getting caught up in pay-to-play lawmaking.

"Allegations of corruption targeted at the Ohio Speaker have never before resulted in a Speaker’s resignation. This is the first time in Ohio’s history that the Speaker of the Ohio House has resigned in such disgrace, and his resignation leads us to believe that illicit forces have been corrupting, and may continue to corrupt, the work of the Statehouse," the lawmakers wrote in their letter.

Click the link to read the whole letter.

Mahoning Valley lawmakers applauded today’s announcement that the latest version of the state budget includes a provision that may help keep the doors open and the lights on at the Youngstown Developmental Center. 

The latest version of the budget bill would establish a 13-member closure review commission anytime the Governor orders the closure of a state developmental center—a provision that closely mirrors a bi-partisan amendment submitted by Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan and Rep. Michael Henne (R-Clayton), whose district includes the Montgomery Developmental Center. 

“Since the decision was made to close the Youngstown Developmental Center, the response has been clear and unequivocal: the workers, residents and their families, and indeed the entire community want and need this facility to remain open,” said Rep. Lepore-Hagan. “The YDC provides a tremendous service for the most vulnerable population. I am thrilled that we were able to work in a bi-partisan fashion to work toward a review commission.” 

Under the new budget language, the review commission would consider at least 10 specified criteria and factors before making a recommendation, and the Governor could not close a facility without the commission’s recommendation.

“I am pleased the proposal for a review commission has been included in the latest amendments to the state budget,” said Leader Joe Schiavoni. "The residents, their families and the employees of the Youngstown Developmental Center deserve a fair and open process in deciding the future of the facility. While this looks promising for the future of the Developmental Center, the legislation still has a long way to go and I will be working hard to make sure it stays in the budget.”

Senate Democratic Leader Joe Schiavoni (D-Boardman) and Sen. Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) introduced a Senate bill that would establish a procedure similar to

The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) today is holding their annual Day of Action. This year’s theme “Reclaiming our Government” focuses on four areas in which citizens can be empowered to take control of their communities and address disparities through engaging with the legislature.*

OLBC President and state Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) has ramped up the group’s focus on rooting out disparities within Ohio’s black community during her second year as president.

“Our Day of Action is focused on getting an understanding of the barriers that have led to systematic disengagement within our government,” said Howse. “We want to offer pathways for how African Americans in Ohio can increase advocacy on pressing issues that matter to our community.”

According to the Ohio Poverty Report released in February of 2018, the areas that had the highest poverty rates were counties with metropolitan areas, where a bulk of the black population resides. Counties with poverty rates higher than the state average of 15.4 percent include Allen (Lima), Clark (Springfield), Cuyahoga (Cleveland-Elyria), Franklin (Columbus), Hamilton (Cincinnati), Lucas (Toledo), Mahoning (Youngstown), Montgomery (Dayton), Richland (Mansfield) and Trumbull (Warren).

In 2016, while Ohio’s graduation rates rose to a little over 83 percent, only about 67 percent of black high school students graduate, ranking Ohio forty-fifth in the nation for black graduation according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

The OLBC is hopeful that this year’s Day of Action will create even more opportunities for collaboration to engage and advance communities around Ohio. In its 2018 legislative agenda, the OLBC takes aim at education, criminal justice, voting rights, and health and family care.