Democratic News

State Reps. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) and Monique Smith (D-Fairview Park) have requested that Governor DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health’s Director Stephanie McCloud include early childhood educators and child care workers in prioritization for COVID-19 vaccine distribution alongside K-12 educators. Since the beginning of the pandemic, many of Ohio’s child care programs have struggled to remain open - operating at substantially lower capacity and at a financial loss - so that essential workers have the vital child care services needed to continue working.

COLUMBUS — State Reps. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) and Beth Liston (D-Dublin) today highlighted their intent to introduce a resolution condemning the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6. In a cosponsor request to House members last week, the Democratic lawmakers called the resolution “an opportunity to offer a clear and bipartisan rebuke of this assault on American democracy and the rule of law.” The deadline to cosponsor has now been extended twice in order to give Republican lawmakers every opportunity to sign on in support.

Rep. Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati) and state Sens. Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati) and Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus) today urged fellow lawmakers to sign onto their legislation that would increase Ohio’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2027. In their co-sponsor request memos, the Democratic lawmakers said that raising wages for working Ohioans will bring more economic security and stability to millions of Ohioans living paycheck to paycheck and boost the long-term health of the state’s economy.

Today, State Reps. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) and Jeff Crossman (D-Parma) reintroduced House Bill (HB) 686 from the 133rd General Assembly to cancel end-of-year state testing for the 2020-2021 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

State Reps. Adam C. Miller (D-Columbus) and Thomas West (D-Canton) today announced the introduction of legislation that would repeal the recently passed Shoot First law that permits the use of deadly force by individuals who believe their lives are endangered anywhere in the state. The law was tucked in as a last minute amendment to Senate Bill (SB) 175 during the lame duck period of the 133rd General Assembly despite passionate opposition from House Democrats. The governor then chose to sign this bill into law, even after professing concerns about gun violence in Ohio.  

The Ohio Legislative Children’s Caucus today announced the selection of the following Co-Chairs and Co-Vice Chairs for the 134th General Assembly:

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today issued a statement on Wednesday’s inauguration of Joe Biden as President and Kamala Harris as Vice President of the United States, cementing Democratic control of the White House and both chambers of Congress.

State Rep. Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati) today expressed concern and disdain for the recent appointment of state Sen. Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City) to serve as committee chair for the Senate Health committee. 

State Rep. Thomas West (D-Canton) issued a statement on Wednesday’s inauguration of Joe Biden as President and Kamala Harris as Vice President of the United States, cementing Democratic control of the White House and both chambers of Congress.

Rep. Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati) will sponsor legislation to allow for committees to meet and witnesses to testify virtually amid worsening conditions of the coronavirus pandemic across Ohio. Rep. Kelly introduced similar resolutions in the 133rd General Assembly to allow House committees and Sessions to be conducted virtually.

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Democratic Women’s Legislative Caucus yesterday during their first meeting of the 134th General Assembly elected their leadership team for this session: