Democratic News

In a memo* Tuesday, House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) and Finance Committee Ranking Member Rep. Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus) called on Gov. DeWine to veto several state budget provisions they say fail to meet the expectations of Ohioans as the state begins to emerge and build back from the pandemic. 

COLUMBUS—Rep. Richard D. Brown (D-Canal Winchester) issued a statement Tuesday following the passage of the state budget, House Bill 110. Democrats expressed concerns about a number of provisions within the bill, including a more than $1.64 billion tax giveaway to largely benefit the wealthiest Ohioans and an increase in funding for the state’s EdChoice Voucher Program, which undermines public education in Ohio.

COLUMBUS—Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) issued a statement Tuesday following the passage of the state budget, House Bill 110. Democrats expressed concerns about a number of provisions within the bill, including a more than $1.64 billion tax giveaway to largely benefit the wealthiest Ohioans and an increase in funding for the state’s EdChoice Voucher Program, which undermines public education in Ohio.

State Reps. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) and Phil Robinson (D-Solon) today issued a joint statement applauding Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of a provision within the state budget, House Bill 166, that would have limited the ability of certain school districts to raise operating funds through local property taxes. 

COLUMBUS—Rep. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) issued a statement Tuesday following the passage of the state budget, House Bill 110, which included provisions that phase out Academic Distress Commissions in order to restore local control and the Fair School Funding Plan, an improved public school funding formula that better addresses the needs of Ohio students, teachers and communities. The budget also included provisions that allow for veterans’ charitable gambling, as well as $250 million for broadband development in underserved areas.

Ohio House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today issued a statement following more than two-dozen budget bill vetoes by Gov. Mike DeWine.

“While he didn’t address all of our concerns, the governor did veto some problematic tax language Democrats opposed that would have made it harder for Ohio communities to deliver essential services and adequately fund their local school districts to give teachers and students the tools they need to succeed.

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement Monday following the passage of the state budget, House Bill 110. Democrats expressed concerns about a number of provisions within the bill, including a more than $1.64 billion tax giveaway to largely benefit the wealthiest Ohioans and an increase in funding for the state’s EdChoice Voucher Program, which undermines public education in Ohio.

Ohio House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today issued a statement following the passage of the state budget, House Bill 166. The vote follows more than two weeks of Republican dysfunction and gridlock, which forced lawmakers to pass a short-term funding extension before finally compromising on a long-term deal late Tuesday. Sykes also sent a letter* to Governor DeWine on behalf of House Democrats urging him to veto several provisions in the bill they believe are not in the best interest of everyday Ohioans.

House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Rep. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) issued a statement Monday as GOP lawmakers passed Senate Bill 19, which included a last minute amendment to undercut funding for the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) by limiting the its ability to generate operating revenues through the local sales tax. 

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today announced the launch of the Ohio Promise Tour, a statewide legislative town hall series hosted by House Democratic members to discuss the state budget, bipartisan priorities and a number of recent Democratic-led wins for working people and families.

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) penned an OpEd in the Columbus Dispatch this week in which she called on Governor DeWine to combat vaccine hesitancy and increase access for vulnerable population

State Reps. Beth Liston (D-Dublin) and Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) issued statements today after House Republicans voted to add an anti-vaccine provision to an unrelated bill, Senate Bill 111, legislation to direct $844 million in federal coronavirus relief to Ohio communities. The extreme amendment would prohibit public and private entities from requiring COVID-19 vaccines. 

State Rep. Randi Clites (D-Ravenna) and students at Kent State University today responded to a notification the university released Thursday informing students of a delay in issuing tuition bills due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the passage of the Ohio state budget.

“As legislators, it is our constitutional duty to pass a long-term budget by June 30. Interim budgets bring uncertainty and break the promise we made to taxpayers to do so. The delay in billing at Kent State shows the detrimental effects of missing the budget deadline has had on all Ohioans, including students who rely on financial aid and student loans,” said Rep. Clites. “In a state with one-party rule, we should not be putting Ohio students and families in such an uncertain position. I am committed to working together to get this done and I call on Statehouse Republicans to do the same.”

State Rep. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo), Chair of the Ohio Democratic Women’s Legislative Caucus, released a statement after House Republicans amended the collegiate name, image and likeness bill, Senate Bill 187, to effectively ban transgender athletes from participating in high school and collegiate sports.

Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) President State Rep. Thomas West (D-Canton) today issued the following statement condemning the House Criminal Justice Committee’s passage of House Bill (HB) 22, legislation that would restrict the right to protest:

House Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today called on state lawmakers to recover funds lost by Ohio libraries during the ongoing 17-day temporary budget extension. Ohio’s public library systems have lost thousands of dollars under the bill, and stand to lose more if Republican lawmakers cannot reach a long-term deal by July 17.

Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today announced the selection of Amber Epling as Communications Director for the House Democratic Caucus.

State Rep. Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati) today issued a statement after House Republicans amended the collegiate name, image and likeness bill, Senate Bill 187, to effectively ban transgender athletes from participating in high school and collegiate sports.