Vernon Sykes News

Today, the Republican-controlled Ohio Senate voted to pass a controversial abortion ban, House Bill 258. Ohio Senate Democrats denounced the bill, which would prohibit abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected.

State Senators Charleta B. Tavares (D-Columbus), Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland) and Vernon Sykes (D-Akron), together with state Representatives Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) and Emilia Sykes (D-Akron), today urged the legislature to study the progress and challenges of African Americans in Ohio.

Today, the Ohio Senate passed an amended version of House Bill 228. The controversial legislation, which before it was amended would have made Ohio a Stand-Your-Ground state, now primarily changes burden of proof standards in cases of self-defense and further limits cities' ability to regulate firearms.

Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) submitted the following letter to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on AT&T's request to end its Lifeline contract.

Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) submitted the following letter to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on AT&T's request to end its Lifeline contract:

Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) commented on the publication of state Auditor Dave Yost's report on prescription drug pricing by pharmacy benefit managers.

Today, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the Electric Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT) overcharged the State of Ohio $80 million dollars by providing "learning opportunities" for students without tracking whether or not students were actually engaged with or participated in ECOT's lessons. State Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) released the following statement in response:

Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) criticized a move by CVS Caremark to prevent the release of a report analyzing how much pharmacy middlemen profit off of their relationship with the Ohio Medicaid program.

Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) voted to protect Ohio consumers from predatory payday lenders by supporting Substitute House Bill 123.

Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) expressed his disappointment and frustration with the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on the Janus v AFSCME, Council 31 case.

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Ohio's voter purging system in a 5-4 ruling. Ohio's voter purge policy, which is widely regarded as the most aggressive in the country, allows the state to purge voters who have not voted in six years and do not respond to a notice.

Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) praised the passage in the Ohio House of Representatives of legislation that will improve the compensation rights of wrongfully imprisoned individuals.

Today, State Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) provided sponsor testimony on his bill to require the State Board of Education to create health education standards for K-12 schools in Ohio, Senate Bill 287, in the Senate Education Committee.

Today, state Senators Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) and Charleta B. Tavares (D-Columbus) provided sponsor testimony on the Child Gun Safety Act, Senate Bill 279, in the Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee. SB 279 would require adult gun owners to keep their firearms housed in locked containers or secured by a trigger lock when a minor is present.

Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) released the following statement in response to state Auditor Dave Yost's press conference regarding the latest audit on ECOT:

State Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) recently introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 22 urging the federal government to fully fund the 2020 census.

Yesterday, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) introduced Senate Bill 287 to require the State Board of Education to create health education standards for K-12 schools.

Today, state Senators Charleta B. Tavares (D- Columbus) and Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) introduced a bill to strictly regulate how gun owners store their guns when minors are present.

Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) applauded the Ohio Senate's passage of the state's Capital Budget, which includes more than $26 million for economic development projects in Ohio's 28th Senate District.

Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) released the following statement regarding the National School Walkout marking the one month anniversary of the Parkland, Florida school shooting that left 17 people dead.

The Ohio Legislative Service Commission (LSC) is now accepting applications for the 2019 Legislative and Telecommunications Fellowship. The Commission will be hiring 24 fellows to serve in the Ohio General Assembly for the 13-month program.

Columbus - Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) released the following statement this evening in response to Governor John Kasich's final State of the State address at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio:

Columbus - Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) announced that Summit County is in line to receive over $30 million from the Capital Budget.

COLUMBUS - This week, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) was presented with the 2018 "Legislative Champion" award by the Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs.