Democratic News

Rep. Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati) today urged Ohio’s top higher education official for ways to improve college access for students from working-class families following a new study that singles out seven Ohio colleges for alarmingly low rates of Pell grant recipients.

State Reps. Thomas E. West (D-Canton) and Susan Manchester (R-Waynesfield) today unveiled House Bill 469, which will cut out-of-pocket prescription costs for patients.

COLUMBUS—House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D- Akron) and Rep. Phil Robinson (D-Solon), who serves as the Ranking Member on the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee, issued statements today concerning the need for immediate action as a first step to fixing the state’s broken EdChoice voucher program in advance of the February 1 application period and the requested improvements House Democrats would like to see made to safeguard fair access and fair funding for our schools.

State Reps. Thomas West (D-Canton) and Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) sent a letter to Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) Director Maureen Corcoran today expressing their concerns with the implementation of Medicaid work requirements. The lawmakers’ letter comes in light of a year-end report sent by Director Corcoran to Gov. Mike DeWine detailing a variety of issues the department has dealt with over the past year, including chronic problems with the information technology system “Ohio Benefits,” utilized by both ODM and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) to determine benefit eligibility.

COLUMBUS—State Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) today introduced legislation to increase safety on Ohio roadways by making it a primary offense to use handheld electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle.

State Representative and Ohio Legislative Black Caucus President Alicia Reece (D-Cincinnati) released the following statement in response to Secretary of State Jon Husted’s recently unveiled agenda. Husted outlined his proposed limits on voting rights in a letter to legislative leaders yesterday, showing his support for shortening early voting hours and limiting minor party candidates from being placed on the ballot. 

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D- Kent) responded to Secretary of State Jon Husted’s suggestion that the legislature again try to make drastic cuts to early voting with the following statement: 

State Rep. Heather Bishoff (D-Blacklick) offered testimony on Wednesday for her bill to help streamline and update medication administration in Ohio, House Bill 301. HB 301 would allow certain Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) the ability to delegate the administration of medications to other qualified medical assistants.

State Rep. Chris Redfern (D-Catawba Island) voted in favor of funding Medicaid expansion at today’s state Controlling Board meeting, but not without concerns regarding Gov. Kasich’s failure of leadership on the fundamental part of  President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

COLUMBUS— State Rep. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) announced today that the City of Sheffield Lake, Ohio has been awarded a $225,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Clean Ohio Trails Fund to construct Lincoln Trail.

State Rep. Connie Pillich (D- Montgomery) joined female Democratic colleagues today to announce a proposal that would bring Ohio in line with the federal Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. The Ohio Equal Pay Act would essentially close state loopholes that allow employers to engage in discriminatory and unfair gender-based pay practices.

“Closing loopholes to ensure that women have a pathway to restitution when they have been financially discriminated against in the work­place makes too much sense to ignore,” said Rep. Pillich. “This isn’t just about women—it’s also about middle class families. When work­ing mothers lose out on hard earned pay, the whole family feels the effects. Our economy should reflect our values of hard work, fairness and equal opportunity.”

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) hosted national and Ohio election experts on Tuesday for a discussion of “The National Voter Registration Act in the Buckeye State: What Ohio is Doing Wrong.” The discussion highlighted multiple problems in Ohio’s compliance with the NVRA.

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) issued the following statement on the Preterm Cleveland, Inc. v. Kasichlawsuit, which challenges three of the attacks on women’s health care in Governor Kasich’s budget.  

COLUMBUS—State Rep. Phil Robinson (D-Solon) today announced Gov. Mike DeWine’s signing of House Bill (HB) 4, his bipartisan bill with state Rep. Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville) to help streamline the process of developing industry-recognized credential and certificate programs. This is both Rep. Robinson’s first bill as a legislator, and his first to become law.

State Rep. John Rogers (D-Mentor-on-the-Lake) recently introduced House Bill 282, legislation to improve the security of Ohio’s small businesses that operate out of the owner’s home. Currently, the Ohio Department of Taxation publishes identifying information-- the type, location and contact information-- of all Ohio businesses online.

“Information of this nature being so readily available can leave individuals and their families more vulnerable to criminals with an interest in what might be found in the home,” said Rep. Rogers. “With internet driven start-ups becoming more and more popular, our state should address the safety concerns that arise from running a business out of your home.”

House Democrats announced today that they are introducing a House Concurrent Resolution calling on Speaker Boehner to end the political gamesmanship that has dominated the federal budget process and led to the government shutdown. The resolution is jointly sponsored by House Democratic Leader Tracy Maxwell Heard (D-Columbus) and Rep. Robert F. Hagan (D-Youngstown).

“To most Americans and Ohioans, it is clear that congressional Republicans have put ideology above people by leading our nation in to the shutdown,” said Rep. Hagan. “Aside from having tangible and detrimental effects for our economy—some of which are already being felt—the shutdown highlights how reckless Ohio Republicans are being with the needs and wants of average citizens. It is the shameful result of a desperate attempt to sabotage a healthcare policy they allegedly disagree with.”

The ill effects of the GOP-led shutdown have already been highly publicized during the first day of the halt in service. Some 52,000 federal employees in Ohio are now without paychecks. The Dayton Daily News reported that lost wages in the Miami Valley could total $5 million per day.

State Representative Nick Barborak (D-Lisbon) gave testimony for his criminal sentencing legislation, House Bill 251, in the Ohio House Judiciary Committee. HB 251 would restore discretion to judges in sentencing fourth and fifth degree felony offenders.

State Representative Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) today announced Gov. Mike DeWine’s signing of House Bill (HB) 2, bipartisan legislation that expands job training and workforce development opportunities in Ohio.