"As a Black legislative leader, a veteran, and a staunch housing advocate, I am disappointed at how the Republican majority is attempting to deceive voters about Issue 1 instead of passing legislation that helps Ohioans.
In simple terms, voting yes on Issue 1 would eliminate gerrymandering by removing politicians from the mapmaking process and allowing a commission of 15 citizens — five Republicans, five Democrats, and five Independents — to control how legislative and congressional districts are drawn in the state of Ohio..."
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State Rep. Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland), president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC), fellow OLBC members Sen. Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati), Sen. Hearcel F. Craig (D-Columbus), Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) and Ohio Organizing Collaborative’s Deidra Reese held a press conference Tuesday to dispel the false claims and disinformation being spread concerning Issue 1’s impact on Black voters.
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In the past year, politically savvy Ohioans may have noticed an interesting phenomenon at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. When members of the legislature discussed issues like protecting abortion access or legalizing recreational cannabis, they were shot down, disregarded, or even outright demonized by Republican lawmakers. When put up for consideration as citizen-led ballot issues, they received enthusiastic votes of support from Ohioans and passed with a sound majority, much to the chagrin of Republican politicians.
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"A recent report indicated that Ohio ranked third among states with the most customers affected by power outages per capita.
However, it was not due to excessive demand on the system, because Ohio ranked 24th for total electric consumption. If outages are occurring without unusually high demand, then we have a problem in the system.
It is a problem that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, our state’s utility watchdog agency, should have caught. But maybe they were not trying to catch problems before they happened. Because maybe the master they were serving was the utility, not the customer.
So, if you were one of the many Ohioans left without power after the August 6 storms, you might be wondering why it took so long to get your power back.
Part of the answer to that question is Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted..."
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On the first Monday of September, we come together to celebrate Labor Day, a holiday honoring the profound social and economic contributions of American workers. This day is not just a time for rest; it is a moment to reflect on the legacy of the labor movement and the enduring fight for workers' rights—a struggle that has deep roots right here in Ohio.
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I recently sent a letter to Secretary of State Frank LaRose requesting that he share any drafted ballot language for the citizen-initiated redistricting constitutional amendment that is to be discussed at this week’s upcoming Ballot Board meeting. As the Senate Democratic Caucus’ member on the Ballot Board, I am fighting to ensure that the language on the November ballot will accurately reflect the amendment and ensure that our constituents’ interests are adequately represented. That requires open dialogue and a free exchange of information. See my full letter here.
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"In today’s increasingly polarized climate, bipartisan cooperation can seem unattainable. However, it is still our responsibility as lawmakers to navigate these divides and work towards solutions that benefit all the people we serve.
I recently hosted a discussion on “Bridging the Bipartisan Divide” at the Council of State Governments Midwest conference that took place in Ohio. This session brought together a diverse group of policymakers from across North America, seeking to find common ground for the greater good of their constituents and communities. These kinds of conversations provide an invaluable opportunity to share strategies and foster bipartisan collaboration..."
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"Ohio’s radical supreme court has decided to get rid of any semblance of sense or logic to help their fat cat donors.
In their latest ruling (Berkheimer v. REKM, LLC), the Ohio Supreme Court said that it is reasonable for consumers to expect bones in their boneless wings and that people can’t sue for negligence if a restaurant does have bones in their boneless wings.
While this ruling makes no sense on its face, it has troubling implications for other suits against companies with negligent marketing or safety practices..."
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As Pride Month comes to an end with parades, gatherings, and events honoring the diversity and strength of the LGBTQ+ community, it is sobering to recognize the alarming threats to our rights through legislation passed or the number being introduced in Columbus by Republican lawmakers.
Ohio has quickly become perceived as one of the most hostile states in the nation for members of the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, a recent analysis by SafeHome.org ranked our state as the fourth most unsafe for LGBTQ+ individuals in the country. But the same lawmakers pushing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation like banning gender-affirming care or requiring teachers to out students to their parents are also working to attack the rights of Ohioans more broadly. So, as we reflect on Pride Month, let us also recognize the myriad of efforts being made in the Statehouse to restrict Ohioans’ rights.
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"The Ohio General Assembly showed that extremism is alive and well in the Ohio Statehouse when it held its final session before going on summer recess last week.
From a Republican state representative supporting a self-described Neo-Nazi to passing a bill that would ban people from using the bathroom that matches their identity at the eleventh hour, extremist Republican legislators had a banner week before taking a break until November.
In a marathon session right before summer break, the Ohio House passed Senate Bill 104, a good bill I originally cosponsored to revise the College Credit Plus Program and open the program up to more students. But late at night, an amendment was added that would ban transgender students from using the bathroom that matches their identity..."
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"On June 19, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln, General Gordon Granger and the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas. They ordered the enslaved African Americans held captive there be set free.
This declaration by General Granger and the following celebration is considered the very first Juneteenth.
The historical legacy of Juneteenth serves as a testament to the resilience and unwavering spirit of African Americans who endured and overcame the atrocities of slavery. Through family gatherings, prayers and long journeys to reunite with newly freed loved ones, the early celebrations of Juneteenth symbolized hope, unity and the unbreakable bond of kinship..."
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"The recent special session of the Ohio legislature initiated by Gov. Mike DeWine is the latest Trojan horse deployed by the majority party to undermine the will of the people under the guise of putting President Biden on the ballot.
The unnecessary cost and waste of taxpayer dollars is absolutely shameful.
Every other state, including Ohio in previous presidential election years, has been able to swiftly and cleanly act when political convention time frames conflict with state ballot deadlines. But not the 135th Ohio General Assembly. Instead, leaders in our state government used the Biden ballot issue as a vector to rush through unwarranted legislation that left Ohioans no opportunity to participate in the standard legislative process..."
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The homestead exemption is a statewide property tax reduction program for senior citizens, those who are disabled, and surviving spouses of fallen first responders.
Who is eligible for a Homestead Exemption?
- Homeowners over the age of 65, who meet certain income requirements
- Homeowners who are permanently and totally disabled
- Military veterans who have received a 100% disability rating
- Those already receiving it
- Spouses of a first responder killed in the line of duty
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"With the March primary behind us, there is a concerning trend that must be addressed ahead of the quickly approaching November election. Poll workers in Ohio and across the country have been unable to focus entirely on their jobs to run our elections smoothly because they are also worrying about their safety.
Throughout the United States, election workers are being threatened..."
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This week, Ohio Democrats held a joint press conference to respond to Governor Mike DeWine’s State of the State address.
Read Leader Antonio's full remarks or watch the full response below.
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"In early January, the Ohio Senate Select Committee on Housing visited Cleveland to learn more about the issues exacerbating the housing crisis in both Ohio and across the country. We heard from a range of individuals and organizations on their experiences, including new, young homeowners as well as individuals currently experiencing housing insecurity.
After leaving the committee meeting held at the new Cleveland Foundation building, I found myself reflecting on not only the day but also the location where we met. The very site of our meeting sits adjacent to the exact same neighborhood where the 1966 Hough riots unfolded..."
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"Ohio used to be 5th in the nation when it comes to education. Since Republicans have taken over, we’ve fallen to 29th.
The right-wing Buckeye Institute released a policy brief on Jan. 16 detailing their recommendations for the One-Time Strategic Community Investments Fund. Unsurprisingly, their top proposal is to create a slush fund for private and charter schools to use public dollars to improve and expand their buildings, or even build new ones..."
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In today’s world of right-wing propaganda machines and AI-generated content, misinformation is rampant. However, Ohio Senate Democrats have made it part of our mission to disseminate factual news and stories to everyday Ohioans through our website, The Democratic Standard. Launched in November 2023, The Democratic Standard features political reporting from across the state, highlighting snippets of relevant articles and stories.
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"Senate Republicans just overwhelmingly voted to override Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of House Bill 68, the transphobic, anti-science piece of legislation that every single major medical association has come out against.
It was the first thing the Ohio Legislature did after our holiday break.
With only seven more sessions until we break for the summer in July, it begs the question: What are we working on to improve the lives of Ohioans? The answer is not much..."
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"It has been little more than a year since nearly 200 residents were forced to evacuate their apartments in the Latitude Five25 building last Christmas.
I was there that day helping to move families out of their homes and the situation was devastating. Burst pipes, flooded floors, electrical issues, and asbestos contamination meant that many of my constituents were forced out of their homes for the holidays, some unable to return for months.
The sad reality is that many Ohioans experience unlivable conditions like this. Safe and secure housing is fundamental and foundational to the quality of life for all our families and children. But one of the biggest obstacles facing everyday Ohioans is finding and keeping affordable housing..."
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"This month, Ohio Republicans made it clear who gets special treatment on Capitol Square, when Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 201 after it was amended at the last minute and rushed through both chambers.
Originally, House Bill 201 was an unnecessary bill meant to prohibit any type of restrictions on gas-powered vehicles. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the amendment was yet another effort to give more of your money to the utility companies in this state and do so with as little discussion as possible..."
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Far too many Ohioans die from gun deaths each year. In the United States, around 80% of all homicides and over half of suicides involve guns, and this nationwide public health crisis is on the rise, with 2020 bringing the United States’ highest recorded rate of gun deaths in over 25 years. The Ohio General Assembly has a responsibility to work towards bipartisan solutions that seek to end this increasing cycle of violent death by guns.
The Senate Democratic Caucus seeks to address some of the systemic problems related to gun deaths through a series of impactful pieces of legislation. The bills currently being proposed cover a broad range of gun death prevention and gun safety issues, including safe storage, disarming domestic abusers, and suicide prevention.
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"House Bill 6 is not only a controversial and scandalous piece of policy, but it has also proved to be a persistent and significant burden on the shoulders of Ohioans.
Nearly five years after the passage of H.B. 6, Ohio and its taxpayers remain entangled in a web of consequences and continuous bailouts. Just this month, Ohioans are learning of yet another indictment in connection to the nuclear bailout..."
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"Republicans in the Ohio Senate recently proposed horrendous changes to the adult-use marijuana laws that voters overwhelmingly approved in November.
The Republican plan would have reduced legal possession amounts, eliminated home grow entirely, and tripled the tax rate on marijuana sales.
The results would have been a legal, adult-use marijuana market in name only."
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"Higher education is under attack in Ohio. Right-wing legislators, who have entrenched their power through gerrymandering, now want to control what happens on college campuses in an attempt to fight back against 'liberal indoctrination.' Senate Bill 83, sponsored by Senator Jerry Cirino, is Ohio’s iteration of bills that have been introduced by Republicans across the United States to promote 'intellectual diversity.'"
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"On Election Day, millions of Ohioans came out in support of Issue 1 to enshrine the right to abortion into our state constitution. While we don’t always agree, I definitely can stand with Gov. Mike DeWine’s recent statement, that the will of the voters must be accepted, recognized and respected.
In fact, I couldn’t agree more."
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"The Republican leadership in the Ohio House and Senate have displayed disgusting arrogance since election day.
Having just got their ass kicked for the second time in four months by a clear majority of Ohioans, they think they can do anything they want—voters be damned!"
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Throughout my time as an elected official representing the people of Columbus, I have spoken with constituents and met with advocacy groups about the effect of gun proliferation in our neighborhoods, the necessity of proper storage and safety procedures, and the impact that easy access to firearms has on suicide rates in Ohio.
Over the summer, I joined my colleagues from the Ohio House of Representatives and from Columbus City Hall on the steps of the Statehouse to once again emphasize the impact that gun-related violence has on our communities and families.
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From my earliest days as a legislator, one of my top priorities has been promoting and supporting small and minority businesses. Two years ago, I had the privilege of touring Ohio and hearing from hundreds of minority business owners. From my home in Northeast Ohio to all corners of the state like Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, and Lima, I witnessed the tremendous potential and diversification of these businesses.
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Recently, I introduced legislation to allow workers participating in a labor strike to collect unemployment benefits, support which striking workers are currently prevented from obtaining under Ohio law.
A strike is a message from hardworking Ohioans that their needs must be met. These are not people who don’t want to work; they are people who want to work for a fair, family-sustaining wage, in safe conditions, and with the sort of benefits that keep them healthy and allow them to retire comfortably. They should not have to worry about paying their bills while they stand up for better treatment for themselves and their fellow workers.
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This General Assembly, I have once again introduced bipartisan legislation to end the use of the death penalty in the state of Ohio, replacing it with a sentence of life in prison without parole for capital cases. This 135th General Assembly, Senate Bill 101 will be the vehicle.
Death penalty repeal bills have been introduced in Ohio many times over the last decade. I continue to speak with my colleagues in the Statehouse on both sides of the aisle every day, and the momentum for ending the death penalty is palpable.
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On The Record has once again proven itself to be about nothing more than it claims: views, no matter what any logic or reputable sources say. The website’s most recent attempt to justify those views with “facts” is riddled with misrepresentation and inflammatory, inaccurate language.
On The Record’s response to an Associated Press article totes the GOP’s talking points on Issue 1 – that it is too extreme for Ohio. But this world of “abortion on demand” fundamentally misrepresents what Issue 1 is.
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