Democratic News

Today, state Reps. Randi Clites (D-Ravenna) and Tim Ginter (R-Salem) held a Statehouse press conference to introduce bipartisan legislation to create the Ohio Rare Disease Advisory Council. The bill would bring together medical researchers, physicians, nurses, patients, lawmakers and state officials to begin addressing many of the issues facing those living with rare diseases. 

COLUMBUS— For many, the first day of a new month means rent and bills are due. For those who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus outbreak, April 1^st could be the most financially devastating day yet as fears of evictions and foreclosures may loom.

Ohio House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today sent a letter to President Trump on behalf of the Ohio House Democrats urging him to approve Ohio’s Major Disaster Declaration request, which would deploy Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds to aid the state’s response to the coronavirus outbreak. 

State Reps. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) and Niraj Antani (R-Miamisburg) today introduced bipartisan legislation to exempt college textbooks from state sales tax.

“Making textbooks tax-exempt is one small step toward breaking down barriers to higher education,” said Rep. Sweeney. “Since colleges often require textbooks at skyrocketing prices to complete basic courses, it is incumbent upon state legislators to act to reduce the financial burden on Ohio students.”

State Reps. Beth Liston (D-Dublin) and Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today introduced a bill to protect health providers and patients across Ohio. 

COLUMBUS—House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today applauded Gov. Mike DeWine as he signed into law House Bill (HB) 197, which will provide needed supports to working people, families and businesses in Ohio amid the coronavirus outbreak. It passed both legislative chambers unanimously Wednesday.

State Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today announced the unanimous passage of House Bill (HB) 287, her bipartisan bill alongside Rep. Rick Perales (R-Beavercreek) that would allow reciprocity for Medicaid home and community-based service (HCBS) waivers for the family members of active-duty military when families move to Ohio for military assignment. These Medicaid waivers are often necessary to provide custodial and nursing care for individuals with significant developmental disabilities. 

COLUMBUS – State Reps. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) and Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today sent a letter to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Kimberly Hall highlighting additional measures the agency could take to limit COVID-19 exposure and help individuals file for unemployment.

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. 

House Democratic lawmakers today announced the approval of $15.6M in federal funds for the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to support local health departments, increase testing capacity, create public education campaigns, and support other costs associated with the state’s response to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

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— Today, Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) and Rep. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) issued statements today after the federal Department of Defense denied Ohio’s request to shorten the time for delivering absentee ballots to military and overseas voters. 

COLUMBUS— Today, Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) and Ranking Member Rep. Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati) spoke out against the latest version of House Bill (HB) 327, the most recent attempt by Republicans to silence and censor Ohioans.

State Rep. Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati) today announced Senate Bill (SB) 26, which includes a provision she sponsored to eliminate Ohio sales taxes on feminine hygiene products, commonly known as the Pink Tax, was signed by Governor DeWine into law. She released the following statement:

“I am appreciative of the Governor for signing this bill making medically necessary products more equitably accessible to women and girls in our state. This is an important step towards ensuring that everyone who has a period is able to lead a healthful life and fully participate in their communities as they choose.”

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 statements after Republican Commission members adopted a congressional map that unduly favors GOP candidates, and failed to pass by the bipartisan vote required by the state Constitution.

COLUMBUS— State lawmakers returned to the Statehouse today to address the COVID-19 crisis and provide immediate relief to everyday Ohioans. House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) released a statement today following the unanimous passage of an omnibus bill (HB 197) that would prohibit utility shut-offs, waive state testing requirements, freeze EdChoice eligibility, extend voting in the primary election, postpone the state income tax filing deadline among several other measures.

State Reps. John Patterson (D-Jefferson) and Louis Blessing (R-Colerain Township) today announced Gov. Mike DeWine’s signing of House Bill (HB) 189 titled “Tyler’s Law,” bipartisan legislation that increases Ohio amusement ride safety and inspection standards, qualifications of inspectors and responsibilities of ride owners.

COLUMBUS- State Reps. Dr. Beth Liston (D-Dublin) and Thomas Patton (R-Strongsville) today introduced House Bill (HB) 580 to guarantee that health providers receive equivalent re-imbursement for covered services, regardless of whether they are conducted in person or remotely, during times of crisis. HB 580 will ensure that people get the care they need, while still maintaining safety for both the patient and the provider.

As Ohioans go to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballots, House Democratic Reps. Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus) and Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) will be introducing legislation to make Election Day a paid state holiday for Ohio workers.

COLUMBUS- Several Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. John Patterson (D- Jefferson), Phil Robinson (D-Solon), Joe Miller (D-Amherst) and Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville), today introduced a legislative package to mitigate the negative impacts schools are facing as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The package would provide resources and allow already overburdened school districts to take the necessary steps to recover from the repercussions of this ongoing public health crisis.

Today, State Rep. Jeff Crossman (D-Parma) & State Rep. Randi Clites (D-Ravenna), along with several Republican cosponsors, filed their bill to protect patients with pre-existing conditions on the day open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) begins.

COLUMBUS—State Reps. Gil Blair (D-Weathersfield), Michael O’Brien (D-Warren) and Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown) issued a statement today following the unexpected passing of fellow Mahoning Valley state Rep. Don Manning (R-New Middletown):

“It is with great sadness that we woke this morning to learn of the passing of our colleague and neighbor Don Manning.  We send our deepest condolences to his family during these difficult times." 

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Today, State Sen. Hearcel F. Craig (D-Columbus) and state Rep. Dr. Beth Liston (D-Dublin) announced a package of bills to address insulin pricing and increase awareness of diabetes prevention tools.

“Families are struggling with the cost of insulin and young people are dying. Medically, we can prevent this,” said Liston. “We need policies that make it possible.”