Democratic News

Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) members today held a press conference outlining their Build Up Black Families legislative package in honor of Juneteenth, which marks the anniversary of the first announcement of the abolition of slavery in America.

“As we’ve been working to restore the Ohio promise of a better life and brighter future for everyone, we say that family comes first and we mean that,” said Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland). “Our members have been working together, drafting common sense legislation to deliver results for a real shot at the American Dream for black families in Ohio.”

State Rep. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) today announced the unanimous passage of House Bill (HB) 133, bipartisan legislation joint-sponsored by Rep. Rick Perales (R-Beavercreek) that will allow for the issuing of temporary occupational licenses to active duty service members and their spouses living in Ohio as a result of undergoing a permanent change of station.

Assistant Minority Leader Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus) and Rep. Erica Crawley (D-Columbus) introduced legislation designed to protect victims of sexual violence in Ohio in a joint press conference with state Sens. Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus) and Stephanie Kunze (R-Columbus) this afternoon at the Ohio Statehouse. The proposed legislation recognizes that health care professionals who use their status of trust and power to violate people under their care and supervision must have enhanced consequences. 

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) released the following statement in response to the decision by a panel of the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals:

“The Court found that Husted has been illegally tossing out the ballots of eligible and registered voters. He must stop. Husted’s job is to let the people vote, not to break down our democratic system.

State Rep. Dan Ramos (D-Lorain) today introduced a bipartisan resolution with state Rep. Rick Perales (R-Beavercreek) to recognize Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month in Ohio.  

State Rep. Denise Driehaus is providing a public service announcement on Ohio's new Good Samaritan Law. The law protects people from prosecution or punisnhment when they call 911 for help treating an opioid overdose.

Ohio Legislative Black Caucus President and state Rep. Alicia Reece (D-Cincinnati) responded to today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision denying a stay request by Democratic leaders in Ohio to reinstate same day registration and the first week of early voting in Ohio – a process used by some 90,000 Ohioans in the past:

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) released the following statement in response to the United States Supreme Court’s decision to deny a stay request filed by Ohio Democrats to reinstate same day registration and the first week of early voting in the Buckeye State:

“I am very disappointed in this news from the U.S. Supreme Court. As the trial court found, the burden of Ohio Senate Bill 238’s elimination of the first week of early voting and same day registration disproportionately falls on minorities here in Ohio. Unfortunately, the Court is not always well-equipped to remedy every discriminatory measure that lands before it. I will continue to fight legislative efforts to restrict voting, especially those that harm minority voters.”

State Rep. Thomas West (D-Canton) today announced the introduction of House Bill (HB) 277, bipartisan legislation with Rep. Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) to implement mandatory recordings of suspect interrogations statewide for some of the most serious crimes, such as homicide and sexual assault cases. The two lawmakers unveiled their proposal at a press conference this morning with supporters from the Ohio Public Defenders office and the Ohio Innocence Project.

“The more transparency and accountability we can provide, the more trust Ohioans will have in our judicial and criminal justice systems,” said Rep. West. “This bill is just one piece of a bigger puzzle in ensuring all Ohioans are treated fairly, and feel safe and secure at home.”

State Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) will speak at the 7^th Annual National Pen-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Presidents’ Forum about the importance of protecting voting rights this election, Wednesday, Sept. 14^th at 2:00 p.m. The forum presented in partnership with Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge, will focus on the effects of voter suppression laws across the U.S., as well as solutions to combat and improve voter turnout. 

State Rep. Denise Driehaus (D-Clifton) today released the following statement encourage citizens to become aware of Ohio’s new Good Samaritan Law which takes effect tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 13:

“As Ohio’s opioid epidemic reaches statewide emergency levels, it is now more important than ever that people don’t second guess doing the right thing. That is why I am pleased to announce my bipartisan Good Samaritan law takes effect statewide tomorrow, Tuesday, September 13. Now, if any Ohioan suspects a friend, family member or loved one is overdosing, they can call 911 immediately – free from fear that they will be punished or prosecuted for getting someone the help they need when they need it. I encourage all citizens to take that first step and make an emergency call for help when someone’s life is on the line.”  

Ohio House Health and Aging Ranking Member and State Representative Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) released the following statement on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) denial of the state’s request to charge premiums for Ohio’s Medicaid Program, regardless of age. The federal decision cited concerns that such charges undermine access to coverage and the affordability of care, and do not support the objectives of the Medicaid program.

“On behalf of the thousands of low-income parents, foster care youth and beneficiaries with breast and cervical cancer, I am pleased to hear of the CMS decision to deny Ohio’s special demonstration project waiver application, which would have imposed additional premiums for those insured by Medicaid or Medicare,” said Antonio. “In the denial letter, CMS officials identified the same concerns that House Democratic lawmakers noted as fundamental flaws in the request to change Ohio’s Medicaid program by requiring premiums and excluding individuals from care indefinitely if they failed to pay premiums and all arrears premium payments. I hope this decision is a step toward evidence-based policy solutions that aim to improve the overall health of our state and all of its citizens.”

State Rep. Dan Ramos (D-Lorain) today praised the enactment of House Bill (HB) 523, bi-partisan legislation that authorizes the prescribed use of medical marijuana in Ohio and the creation of the Medical Marijuana Control Program. With the bill’s passage in May, Ohio became the 25^th state to legalize marijuana for medical consumption.