Democratic News

Ohio Legislative Black Caucus President Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) today urged action on the Ohio Equal Pay Act, legislation alongside Rep. Randi Clites (D-Ravenna) that would recognize the full value and potential of Ohio’s working women. 

State Representative Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) and Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati) today sent a letter to Secretary of State Frank LaRose raising concerns about the treatment of Black voters who are being disproportionately harmed by the coronavirus pandemic. The lawmakers requested the secretary’s voter outreach plan, noting that he has undertaken an Ohio craft brewery tour without specific legal authority or funding to do so. They also requested his budget for using the $23 million in federal funds granted to the state and approved by the Controlling Board for spending on the election. 

State Representative Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) responded to Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s announcement that he will not allow multiple secure ballot drop boxes to be used by county boards of elections in this fall’s election. 

House Democratic leadership, including Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron), Assistant Minority Leader Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus), Minority Whip Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) and Assistant Whip Rep. Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester) today filed a protest of the passage of House Bill 6. 

COLUMBUS— State Rep. Phil Robinson (D-Solon), the Ranking Democrat on the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee, today released a statement criticizing Governor Mike DeWine on the lack of a statewide plan to address school re-opening and the continued confusion his lack of leadership creates.

COLUMBUS—State Representative Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) today responded to disturbing news of mail delays, hiring freezes, and questionable management changes at the U.S. Postal Service. She recently sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy urging the United States Postal Service (USPS) to address postal delays in Lucas County. Nearly 100 Lucas County residents expressed to Hicks-Hudson that they had been experiencing postal delays that result in late bill payments and other disruptions to their lives.

COLUMBUS— The Ohio Black Maternal Health Caucus (OBMHC) today recognizes the month of August as National Breastfeeding Month and Aug. 1 to 7 as World Breastfeeding Week, both of which promote public awareness and support for breastfeeding.

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today issued a statement on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, which left nine dead and 17 wounded. 

COLUMBUS –State Rep. David Leland (D-Columbus) and State Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) filed the Eviction Crisis Response Act on Monday, which allocates $270 million from Ohio’s rainy-day fund to create a program for immediate rental assistance. 

COLUMBUS –House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement today as the Ohio House voted unanimously to strip Larry Householder (R-Glenford) of his role as Speaker of the House. Householder and four associates were indicted by a federal grand jury today amid an ongoing FBI criminal investigation into his connection to an alleged $60 million public corruption and bribery scheme—the largest in state history.