Paula Hicks-Hudson News

Today, state Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) commended the unanimous Ballot Board decision to certify a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment, also known as the "Ohio Voters Bill of Rights."

This week, state Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) and state Senator Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) introduced Senate Bill 325, which sharpens the focus of Ohio's family court system on the best interests of children.

Today, members of the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus responded to the results of the November 5 general election on Issue 1.

During the 2024 Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus (GLLC) Annual Meeting, the membership elected State Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson to be Ohio's representative on the Executive Committee for the 2025-26 biennium. Senator Hicks-Hudson, who represents Ohio's 11th Senate District on the shore of Lake Erie, has been a member of the GLLC since 2019. During her time with the GLLC, Senator Hicks-Hudson was named a 2019 Birkholz Institute Fellow and member of the Task Force on Nutrient Management. Prior to being elected to the state legislature, Senator Hicks-Hudson served as the mayor of Toledo.

Today, state senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) responded to the Ohio Supreme Court's decision and changes made by the Ohio Ballot Board to the misleading, deceptive, and argumentative Republican ballot language for Issue 1, more commonly known as the Citizens Not Politicians redistricting constitutional amendment.

State Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) and state Rep. Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) on Wednesday submitted a filing with the Ohio Supreme Court detailing the alleged legal malpractice of both Attorney General Dave Yost and Ballot Board chair Secretary of State Frank LaRose concerning each party's conduct with the Citizens Not Politicians legal matter. 

Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) and House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today sent a letter to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost detailing his blatant disregard for the legal rights of the minority members of the Ohio Ballot Board " Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) and Rep. Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) " who broke with majority of Ballot Board members and voted against Secretary of State Frank LaRose's deceptive and misleading ballot summary language for the Citizens Not Politicians constitutional amendment, Issue 1.

Today, state Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) issued the following statement after the Ohio Ballot Board voted along party lines to adopt misleading language that will appear on the ballot in this November's election for Issue 1, more commonly known as the Citizens Not Politicians redistricting constitutional amendment.

Today, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) and state Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) commended the Ohio Supreme Court for rejecting an attempt by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost to restrict the caucus' ability to speak for itself through amicus briefs. The Senate Democratic caucus' brief was filed in a case regarding an application for a solar power facility that had been denied by the Ohio Power Siting Board.

This week, state Senators Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) and Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) testified in favor of Senate Bill 229, which would change the composition of the Public Utilities Commission (PUCO) nominating council and its nomination process. 

Today, state Senators Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) and Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) gave sponsor testimony supporting Senate Bill 177, also known as the Ohio Health Care Plan Act. This bill will ensure adequate access to health care for all Ohioans, addressing a statewide need for affordable health care services. 

Yesterday, state Senator Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) condemned Ohio Senate Republicans for again including unrelated and controversial language in a bill to fix the Biden ballot situation.

State Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) regrets to announce that due to Governor DeWine's proclamation calling for a special legislative session to be held today, May 28, the Point Place Library town hall in Toledo scheduled for 6:00 p.m. has been canceled. Senator Hicks-Hudson's office will release an updated town hall schedule at a later date.

Today, state Senators Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) and Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati) gave sponsor testimony for Senate Bill 209, which would increase the penalty for reckless failure to report a lost or stolen firearm in Ohio from a fourth-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree misdemeanor. 

Today, state Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) issued the following statement in response to Governor Mike DeWine's State of the State address.

Dear Neighbors, I am aware that many members of our community are facing frustrating issues with Ohio's Unemployment system at this time. From those who have been impacted by the unexpected terminations by Stellantis to the thousands who've received letters demanding repayment of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.  These unexpected issues can be difficult to understand and add additional stress to people just looking to keep providing for their families. From lengthy phone wait times to confusing documents, my office is ready to help navigate any issues or pitfalls you may encounter with Ohio's unemployment system. Please do not hesitate to contact my office by phone at (614) 466-5204 or by email at Hicks-Hudson@ohiosenate.gov.  

This week, state Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) issued the following statement after voting against House Bill 27, a higher-education bill that was amended at the last minute to allocate over $1 billion in capital budget dollars.

Today, state Senators Kent Smith (D-Euclid) and Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) held a press conference to announce the introduction of two bills that would help close the gender wage gap. They were joined by The Women's Fund of Central Ohio and the Ohio Federation of Business and Professional Women.

Today, state Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) condemned the Ohio Senate's decision to override the governor's veto of House Bill 68, which bans gender-affirming care for trans minors and bans transgender student athletes from participating in sports that align with their gender identity.

Today, state Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) issued the following statement after Governor Mike DeWine vetoed House Bill 68, which would have banned critical gender-affirming health care for minors and banned transgender student-athletes from playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity.

This week, state Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) introduced Senate Bill 203, which would require state and local fire code officials to accept an inspection or permit issued by another jurisdiction as evidence of a mobile food vendor's compliance with Ohio Fire Code.

This week, state Senators Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) and Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati) introduced Senate Bill 204, the C.R.O.W.N. Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) in the Senate.  The C.R.O.W.N. Act prohibits discrimination against an individual because of traits associated with an individual's race, including protection of hair texture and protective and cultural hairstyles, such as braids, locks, and twists, in employment, places of public accommodation, housing, and credit practices.

Today, state Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) issued a statement after the Ohio Senate voted to pass House Bill 68, which will ban critical gender-affirming health care for minors and ban transgender student-athletes from playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity, effectively banning them from school sports entirely.

Today, state Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) issued the following statement after the Ohio Senate passed House Bill 86, which made changes to the adult use recreational marijuana laws passed under Issue 2.

Today, members of the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus sent a letter to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Oil and Gas Land Management Commission (OGLMC) urging them to reject applications proposing to frack under Ohio's state parks.