Democratic News

House Democrats today applauded the unanimous passage of Aisha’s Law, Democratic priority legislation sponsored by Rep. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) that would change how law enforcement agencies respond to domestic violence cases and provide added protections for those in high-risk situations. Democrats say the bill’s passage comes at a critical time as prolonged isolation during the state’s stay-at-home order has led to a spike in domestic violence cases. 

State Reps. Jeff Crossman (D- Parma) and Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) today joined lawmakers and UAW workers at a Statehouse press conference to announce legislation to extend unemployment benefits and food assistance to union workers fighting for fair wages, better benefits and safer working conditions. The call comes amid a nationwide strike by UAW employees, who reached a tentative labor agreement Wed. on the 31st day of their strike with General Motors.

Rep. Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus), the ranking Democrat on the House Finance Committee, today reacted to the latest version of House Bill (HB) 74, the state’s two-year transportation budget. Democrats had expressed concern over the governor’s proposal, which significantly cut public transit funds. Democrats on the Finance Committee had pushed for more transit funding in the bill in recent weeks.  The amended transportation budget includes $193.7 million in public transit funding over the next two years, a doubling the total investment from the governor’s initial proposal. 

Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes is one of a select group of University of Florida alumni named to this year’s prestigious “40 Gators Under 40.” The annual awards program was established in 2006 to recognize alumni under the age of 40 whose achievements positively reflect The Gator Nation. Criteria for the competitive award include making a significant impact on the candidate’s industry and having civic or professional accomplishments at the state, national or international level.

COLUMBUS- State Representative Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) today announced that House Bill (HB) 3, ‘Aisha’s Law’, her bipartisan priority legislation with Rep. Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton) to change how law enforcement agencies respond to domestic violence cases and create a continuum of protections for victims of domestic violence that are in extreme risk and lethal situations, passed out of the House Criminal Justice (12-0) and House Finance Committees (31-1).  The bill is named for Aisha Fraser, a former Shaker Heights sixth-grade teacher who was brutally murdered by her ex-husband, former state Rep. Lance Mason, in Nov. 2018 following years of domestic abuse. The bill now awaits an expected House floor vote tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20.

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) recognizes April 7th as World Health Day. Since taking effect in 1950, this day has been celebrated across the globe to create awareness for various health issues. Spanning from mental health, climate change, maternal and child care, and more, World Health Day provides an opportunity for countries to come together to focus on global health priorities. This year, the World Health Organization is pushing to eliminate health inequities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Democratic state Reps. Jeff Crossman (D-Parma), Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown), Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) and Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) will hold a press conference TOMORROW, Thursday, Oct. 17, at 9:30 a.m. in the Harding Senate Press Briefing Room to introduce legislation to extend unemployment benefits and food assistance to union workers fighting for fair wages, better benefits and safer working conditions. The call comes amid a nationwide strike by UAW employees as they reach a tentative agreement today on the 31^st day of the strike with General Motors.

Rep. Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus) today issued a statement as the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB), the panel tasked with overseeing the Ohio Statehouse grounds, voted to implement a new rule requiring any removal of a statue on the grounds first be subject to a five-year waiting period before a final vote can be taken. The measure comes as a number of groups pushed for the removal of a statue of Christopher Columbus on the West lawn of the Statehouse. A CSRAB member, Rep. Crawley voted against the measure.

Ohio House Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus) today sent a letter to House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) continuing Democratic calls urging him to enact CDC workplace safety recommendations, like requiring facemasks and physical distancing, to protect lawmakers, staff and the general public 

State Rep. Jessica E. Miranda (D-Forest Park) and State Senator Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati) announced the creation of the bicameral Ohio Gun Violence Prevention Caucus. An invite has been sent out to all Ohio House and Senate members to participate in the legislative caucus focused on advancing commonsense gun safety measures in Ohio.