Democrats Commend Successes and Urge Governor to Veto Legislation from Lame Duck

Today, the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus applauded Democratic successes during lame duck and urged Governor DeWine to veto a number of harmful pieces of legislation that passed. Successes include:

• Senate Bill 148, Senator Sykes’ legislation to establish the New African Immigrants Grant and Gift Fund in the state treasury, passed in the Senate.
• Senate Bill 164, Leader Yuko’s legislation which classifies animal cruelty as an act of violence and increases the penalties in animal abuse cases, passed and awaits the Governor’s signature.
• Senate Bill 202, Senator Antonio’s legislation to prohibit a person’s disability from being used to deny or limit custody, parenting time, visitation, adoption or service as a guardian or foster caregiver, passed and awaits the Governor’s signature.
• Senate Bill 288, amended to include Senator Antonio’s legislation (S.B. 90) to create the offense of strangulation in the Ohio Revised Code, passed and awaits the Governor’s signature.
• House Bill 281, amended to include Senator Craig’s legislation (S.B. 219) to rename the “Commission on African American Males” to the “Commission on African-Americans,” passed and awaits the Governor’s signature.

Legislation that was stalled in the House includes:

• House Joint Resolution 6, which would have undermined democracy by requiring a 60% majority vote, as opposed to a simple majority, to amend the Ohio Constitution, died in the House Government Oversight Committee.
• House Bill 151 was amended to include Senate Bill 178, which would have overhauled the responsibilities of the State Board of Education and Department of Education, giving most of their powers and duties to a gubernatorial appointee; H.B. 151 also included amended language to prohibit transgender girls from playing on girls’ high school sports teams. The House failed to concur on the Senate’s changes.

“I am pleased by many of the successes that we’ve had throughout this General Assembly and in lame duck. I am glad that we were able to work together with President Huffman on the areas in which we agree. However, there were also areas of disagreement. Some of our priority legislation didn’t advance, and our senators have vowed to continue fighting for these next General Assembly. Democrats must stay vigilant and continue to fight for the best interest of all who call Ohio home,” said Minority Leader Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights). “I want to thank all of the Ohioans who advocated and engaged in our democratic process by testifying and communicating with legislators on issues that are important to them. Their voices made a difference in all that we accomplished. We were able to make a number of proactive policy changes that will benefit everyday working people. I look forward to continuing the work ahead with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find common ground and advance the state of Ohio in a forward direction,” said Assistant Minority Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood). In addition to these victories, a number of harmful pieces of legislation were also rushed through during lame duck. The Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus urges Governor DeWine to veto the following pieces of legislation:

• House Bill 458, which changes our election laws and disenfranchises voters.
• House Bill 513, which violates home rule by prohibiting local control over tobacco and alternative nicotine products.
• Senate Bill 16, amended to include Senate Bill 185, which violates home rule by taking away our local government’s ability to decide how to best handle emergency situations and undermines the first amendment rights of protestors.
• House Bill 507, which requires oil and gas drilling on state land, defines fossil fuels as “green energy” and infringes on home rule.