Democratic News

COLUMBUS- State Representatives Erica Crawley (D-Columbus) and Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) today strongly condemned the comments reportedly made by President Donald Trump that labeled fallen US service members as “losers” and “suckers”. The comments add to previous public statements by the President belittling the service of former President George HW Bush and US Senator John McCain.

COLUMBUS- State Representative Richard D. Brown (D-Canal Winchester) voted “no” on House Bill 606, sponsored by State Representative Dianne Grendell (R-Chesterland), during Tuesday’s House session after the majority caucus blocked provisions that would protect essential workers who contract COVID-19 on the job from being included in the legislation.

COLUMBUS- Ohio House Democrats today announced the end of their Ohio Promise Virtual Town Hall Tour, which comprised of more than two dozen virtual town halls since June on topics including COVID-19, jobs and the economy, racial justice, gun safety, back to school procedures, and voting access. Across the state, over 20,000 Ohioans tuned in to these town halls to hear from their elected officials and ask questions.

COLUMBUS –House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today blasted Speaker Robert Cupp (R-Lima) and House Republicans for abruptly ending House session as Democrats readied to offer several measures to repeal House Bill (HB) 6, the $2 billion corporate bailout tied to an ongoing FBI investigation into an alleged $60 million scheme to pass the bill. Former Speaker Larry Householder and several associates were arrested and indicted for their roles in the alleged corruption scheme.

 COLUMBUS— Today, State Reps. Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati) and Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood), condemned the introduction of House Bill (HB) 616, the Ohio Republican version of Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law. Under HB 616, schools could not "teach, use, or provide any curriculum or instructional materials on sexual orientation or gender identity" in kindergarten through third grade. Additionally, older students could not be taught "any curriculum or instructional materials on sexual orientation or gender identity in any manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”

COLUMBUS – House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) announced that the State Controlling Board approved over $96 million in additional funding for the Bridge Formula Program from the recently passed federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

COLUMBUS –Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington), Minority Whip Jessica E. Miranda (D-Forest Park), Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) and Rep. Kristen Boggs (D-Columbus) issued a statement in solidarity with the sexual assault survivors and allies who rallied at the Ohio Statehouse today to urge the General Assembly to take immediate action on legislation that would expand opportunities for survivors seeking the justice they deserve. Reps. Miranda and Boggs both spoke at today’s rally. 

COLUMBUS – Today, Ohio Redistricting Commission Co-Chair Sen. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) and House Minority Leader and Commission member Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) issued a statement after the majority of Commissioners subverted the bipartisan, transparent map-drawing process ordered by the Ohio Supreme Court, instead introducing and adopting a set of state legislative maps that were drawn in secret by majority commissioners. 

COLUMBUS— Today, State Reps. Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati) and Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson), demanded House Bill (HB) 327, the ‘Both Sides’ bill, be barred from any further consideration by the Ohio House after the Republican bill sponsor said in a recent interview that educators should teach “German soldiers’” perspective of the Holocaust. 

COLUMBUS – Today, Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights) and House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) issued a joint Democratic response to Gov. DeWine’s State of the State speech. During the press conference, Democrats highlighted their plan to expand opportunity, invest in working people and families, and build an economy that works for everyone. 

COLUMBUS –House Minority Leader and Ohio Redistricting Commission member Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today issued a statement after the Ohio Supreme Court struck down the state legislative maps adopted by the Redistricting Commission on Feb. 24. 

COLUMBUS —Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) issued a statement today after Gov. DeWine signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 215, extreme permitless concealed carry legislation that puts Ohioans and law enforcement in danger. SB 215 will allow any Ohioan, aged 21 years or older, to carry a concealed handgun without a permit and without any training, provided they are not otherwise prohibited under state or federal law. Additionally, this bill modifies “duty to notify” requirements and reduces the penalty for failure to notify to a misdemeanor with no accompanying license suspension. Democrats had called on the governor to veto this legislation last week. 

COLUMBUS —House Democrat leaders, led by Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington), sent a letter Tuesday to Gov. DeWine urging his veto of  Senate Bill (SB) 215, extreme permitless concealed carry legislation that puts Ohioans and law enforcement in danger. 

COLUMBUS—Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) and Rep. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) issued statements today after the Ohio House passed a bill that would let Secretary LaRose shorten the federally required 45-day military and overseas voting period before Election Day by 16 days. 

COLUMBUS— Ohio House Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) issued a statement following House Republicans’ last-minute amendments to bipartisan Senate Bill (SB) 318 honoring the centennial celebration of women’s suffrage today in House Rules and Reference Committee. Republicans introduced two different amendments with language to remove disgraced former speaker Larry Householder from the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee (JLEC) and the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB).

COLUMBUS — Today, Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) issued a statement regarding the court filing deadline in voter advocates’ challenge to the congressional districts.

COLUMBUS— House Democratic lawmakers Reps. Michael J. Skindell (D-Lakewood) and Michael J. O’Brien (D-Warren) today blasted Speaker Robert Cupp (R-Lima) for his refusal to repeal House Bill 6 – the $2 billion corporate bailout bill is at the center of an ongoing FBI criminal investigation into an alleged $60 million racketeering and bribery scheme led by former Republican Speaker Larry Householder. Householder and four associates were arrested and indicted in the alleged scheme.