Category: News

Columbus, Ohio- Over the past months, Ohioans have been forced to contend with a never-ending barrage of bad news from Washington while their jobs, education, and more are on the line. Here’s a recap of just a few ways Washington billionaires like Donald Trump and Elon Musk have harmed Ohio families while cutting taxes for fellow billionaires. 

Donald Trump issued an executive order to eliminate the Department of Education while Governor DeWine cheered.  Now, Ohio is in danger of losing billions in funding, disproportionately harming low-income students.

• The Department of Education allocates funds to Title One schools, which have the highest numbers of low-income students. Ohio educated over 800,000 students with these funds. For Ohio’s low-income students, these funds help pave the path to a brighter future for themselves and our state. Their state’s elected officials would rather score points with Donald Trump than grow the next generation of Ohio’s leaders. 
• Columbus Dispatch: Ohio could lose more than $5 billion in annual funding it receives from the U.S. Department of Education after Donald Trump signed an executive order to close the department.

As costs continue to rise, billionaires are cancelling programs that fed hungry Ohioans and boosted Ohio farmers. 

• Hungry Ohio families have been left scrambling to find assistance after billionaires eliminated funding for organizations that feed hungry Ohioans. While families face even more uncertainty about whether or not they can put food on the table, Republicans would rather see lower bills for billionaires.
• NBC4: Food banks and farms are facing challenges after the U.S. Department of Agriculture eliminated key funding programs as the Trump Administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) said they are slashing federal spending to reduce government waste.  The move cuts about $420 million for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement, a program that helped feed hungry people with high-quality Ohio-grown products. 

While billionaires brag about their own tax breaks, they’re putting Ohioans in danger.

• Donald Trump and Elon Musk have gutted critical staff and resources that monitor environmental conditions and watch for potential hazards in the Great Lakes. Almost three million Ohioans rely on the Great Lakes for drinking water. Now, Republicans have cut critical safety measures to keep their water safe.
• ProPublica: Cutbacks have gutted the staff at the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. […] Multiple people who have worked with the lab also told ProPublica that there are serious gaps in this year’s monitoring of algal blooms, which are often caused by excess nutrient runoff from farms. […] That data has helped to successfully avoid a repeat of a 2014 crisis in Toledo, Ohio, when nearly half a million people were warned to not drink the water or even touch it.

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The post How Billionaires are Harming Ohioans While Giving Themselves Tax Breaks appeared first on Ohio Democrats.

Columbus, Ohio– Yesterday, Republicans on the House Energy & Commerce Committee, including Ohio Representatives Bob Latta, Michael Rulli, and Troy Balderson, took another step towards cutting Medicaid. 

Following a lengthy markup session, Energy and Commerce Republicans voted to advance their budget- including massive cuts to Medicaid. Under the current version of the budget, as many as 770,700 Ohioans are at risk of losing access to affordable healthcare. Ohio is likely to be among the hardest hit states if these extreme Medicaid cuts become reality. 

Cuts to healthcare are deeply unpopular in Ohio, even in the most republican leaning congressional districts. It’s not surprising that the three Ohio Republicans on Energy & Commerce have refused to show up for town halls with their constituents. Latta and Rulli both declined direct invitations to join town halls, with Rulli calling one event a “pathetic spectacle.” Balderson sent his staff to hold an event instead of showing up himself. 

“While billionaires enjoy the tax breaks politicians fought so hard for in this budget, Ohio families will grapple with sky-high healthcare costs,” said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer. “We’re calling on all members of Ohio’s Republican congressional delegation to do the right thing and vote against a budget that prioritizes billionaires over the health of their constituents.”

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The post Republicans Just Took Another Step Towards Cutting Medicaid  appeared first on Ohio Democrats.

Columbus, Ohio– Last week, a new report from the U.S. News & World Report ranked Ohio as the 13th worst state in the country. For Ohioans who have watched as Republicans used their illegal supermajorities to gut education, rip away personal freedoms, and destroy our state’s economy, this ranking is disappointing, but not surprising.

Under years of Republican control, Ohioans’ quality of life has deteriorated while costs have gone up. Instead of fighting for access to education, healthcare, and a good-paying job, Republicans have left Ohioans behind in service of billionaires and fellow party insiders. Every Republican on the ballot owns the state of our state- and Ohio Democrats will make sure voters know they’re responsible.

“Ohioans are seeing their quality of life go down while their state government would rather reward billionaires and extremists,” said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer. “Voters can expect to see Republican candidates try every trick in the book to avoid taking responsibility for the decline in our state, but at the end of the day they only have themselves to blame. Ohioans deserve better from our state government.”

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The post ICYMI: Ohio Ranked Among Worst States Following Years of Republican Control appeared first on Ohio Democrats.

Columbus, Ohio- Earlier this week, Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters joined Spectrum News’ Curtis Jackson to discuss Donald Trump’s dangerous and chaotic first 100 days in office. Ohioans are hurting, but Donald Trump and Republicans would rather give tax breaks to billionaires than actually help Ohioans.

“At the end of the day, Donald Trump promised Americans a new golden age on day one and promised to bring prices down and promised to help working families and all they’ve seen so far is prices hitting record highs and their retirement savings going up in smoke,” said Chair Walters.

Ohioans have watched prices go up on groceries, healthcare, and more all while not knowing what essential goods or services will skyrocket in price next. Instead of fighting to lower costs, he’s sent the economy into a chaotic tailspin that forces Ohio families to constantly wonder about the ability to make ends meet.

Read more from Chair Walters on how Donald Trump’s chaotic first 100 days is already harming Ohioans and watch the clip HERE:

• It’s really hard to pinpoint anything that you can identify as being done right, given all the chaos and harm he’s caused to Ohio’s working families.

•  I have a lot of notes for the president and the GOP on room for improvement on what they’re working on. Number one, perhaps we stop crashing the economy. 

• In just 100 days, Trump has steered the US towards a recession. and most working families are facing nearly $5,000 in lost purchasing power or increased cost. We see seniors delaying their retirement because their 401K plans have tanked and even Republicans are concerned about inflation and unemployment, thanks to Trump’s trillion dollar tax on working families.

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The post ICYMI: Ohio Dems Chair Slams Chaotic First 100 Days of Trump Presidency appeared first on Ohio Democrats.

Columbus, Ohio- This week, Ohio Senator Jon Husted is marking 100 days in office after taking a literal get out of jail free card from Governor Mike DeWine. Whether it’s ignoring his constituents or rubber stamping everything Donald Trump does no matter how it affects Ohioans, it’s been a rough start for Senator Husted.

Senator Husted has faced protests for ignoring his constituents as he rubber stamps Donald Trump’s unpopular agenda. Voters have struggled to reach his office, often getting a voicemail box. He took almost the full 100 days to open a single office in the state, and only after Ohioans repeatedly protested his lack of interest in the state he’s supposed to represent.

However, Senator Husted isn’t just bad at his job. He continues to rubber stamp Donald Trump’s extreme and dangerous agenda without a second thought about what’s right for Ohioans. During confirmation hearings for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Husted said cabinet nominees should “get confirmed and move on.” Hegseth would go on to endanger American soldiers through this reckless use of technology. In a recent interview, Husted appeared to agree with cutting taxes for billionaires, but backtracked to clarify he’d just do whatever Donald Trump wanted him to do. 

“Whether it’s families struggling with grocery bills, veterans whose benefits have been cut, or public service workers who suddenly find themselves without a job, Ohioans are hurting 100 days into Husted’s term,” said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer. “Senator Husted has told us himself that he just does whatever Donald Trump wants regardless of how it impacts Ohioans. In the next 100 plus days, we hope he starts to stand up for his constituents- but we’re not holding our breath.”

The post Husted’s First 100 Days: Ignored Constituents and Rubber Stamps for Extremism appeared first on Ohio Democrats.

Columbus, Ohio- As Donald Trump marks 100 days in office, it’s clear that he’s only working for billionaires like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy while leaving Ohioans behind. While Donald Trump celebrates 100 days of screwing over families across our state, Democrats are standing up to Trump and extreme Ohio politicians who rubber stamp his every move.

Ohioans have watched prices go up on groceries, healthcare, and more all while not knowing what essential goods or services will skyrocket in price next. Instead of fighting to lower costs, he’s sent the economy into a chaotic tailspin that forces Ohio families to constantly wonder about the ability to make ends meet.

Whether you’re a senior on social security, a veteran who relies on the VA for care, or a family trying to give their children a good life, the administration’s dangerous agenda leaves Ohio families behind while out-of-control billionaires get rich off the chaos.

“For Ohio families, these past 100 days have felt like 1,000. At every turn, Ohioans have faced relentless chaos and cruelty from an administration that empowers billionaires while leaving everyone else behind,” said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer. “Ohioans are already tired of an administration that works only for the wealthy, and the politicians who enable every move.”

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The post 100 Days of Screwing Over Ohioans appeared first on Ohio Democrats.

Columbus, Ohio- One week ago, reporting revealed that FirstEnergy officials may have bribed more Ohio public officials than previously known. Between that and a documentary using Ohio as a prime example for public corruption, it’s been a pretty terrible week and a half of news for Ohio Senator Jon Husted.

Husted claimed he had no role in the legislative process surrounding HB6, but texts from FirstEnergy executives revealed that he was deeply involved in passing the legislation. FirstEnergy made $1 million in secret donations to his campaign.

Under the DeWine/Husted administration, Ohio was named the most corrupt state government in the country. Former public officials and lobbyists have already faced federal charges- and state charges are ongoing. Ohio’s Republican-controlled state government is so well known for its corruption that HBO recently premiered a documentary about Senator Husted’s corruption scandal.

Finally, one week ago today reporting from the Columbus Dispatch highlighted how new filings in the federal racketeering case of former FirstEnergy executive Chuck Jones wanted prosecutors to define if Jones was being accused of bribing additional, unnamed Ohio politicians. 

“As Senator Husted officially kicked off his re-election bid, one thing he couldn’t kick was the corruption scandal that he was a major player in,” said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer. “It’s been a pretty terrible week of news for the senator, and Ohio Democrats will make sure that Senator Husted’s corruption scandal won’t stay away.” 

The post Jon & The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad News Week appeared first on Ohio Democrats.

Columbus, Ohio- Following new reporting over the weekend that revealed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s previously unreported second signal chat containing classified war plans, it’s clear that his reckless actions put Americans in danger. As our troops are put in unnecessary danger by an unfit defense secretary, we’re asking Senators Husted and Moreno to call on Hegseth to resign.

This isn’t the first time Hegseth has recklessly put Americans in harm’s way. Earlier this year, reporting revealed an initial signal chat that a journalist was added to where Hegseth and senior administration officials.

Senators Husted and Moreno confirmed Hegseth even after a troubling series of allegations including a history of alleged sexual assault and payments to keep accusers quiet. During the confirmation process when questions about Hegseth’s readiness for the job were raised, Senator Husted said in an interview that it was time to get Trump’s cabinet nominees “confirmed and move on.”  Senator Moreno even called him “exactly the type of leader we need at the Pentagon.” 

“Earlier this year, it was clear that Senator Husted and Senator Moreno’s disinterest in doing their jobs and vetting cabinet nominees had the potential to turn dangerous- and now one of those nominees they rubber stamped has put our troops in danger,”  said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer. “Husted and Moreno still have a chance to do the right thing and call on Hegseth to resign after endangering our soldiers.”

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The post Husted & Moreno Must Call on Hegseth to Resign appeared first on Ohio Democrats.

Columbus, Ohio- Today, reporting from the Columbus Dispatch highlighted new filings in the bribery case against former FirstEnergy Executives Chuck Jones and Michael Dowling that indicated bribes may have been paid to more public officials than previously known.

This latest development comes on the heels of a new HBO documentary that spotlighted Ohio’s FirstEnergy bribery scandal, which has already led to federal charges and sentences for former Speaker Larry Householder. Under Republican control, Ohio has earned a reputation as the most corrupt state government in the country– and we’re still learning about more corrupt Ohio politicians every day.

READ: Are the feds going to say FirstEnergy execs bribed more Ohio public officials?

• Attorneys defending for former FirstEnergy CEO want prosecutors to disclose if their client is being accused of bribing more, not yet named, Ohio politicos. 

• New filings in the case against Chuck Jones signal that prosecutors may allege that bribes were paid to more public officials − beyond former Ohio House speaker Larry Householder and former utility regulator Sam Randazzo.

• Jones and his attorneys are trying to force federal prosecutors to give them more details on who he allegedly bribed. In a legal filing made April 11, Jones’ legal team says a recent letter from prosecutors suggest the government may allege that Jones conspired to bribe other public officials.

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The post MUST READ: Columbus Dispatch: Are the feds going to say FirstEnergy execs bribed more Ohio public officials? appeared first on Ohio Democrats.

Columbus, Ohio- This evening at 9 p.m., HBO will air a documentary on Ohio’s House Bill 6 corruption scandal, during which Ohio Republicans, led by then Speaker Larry Householder and current Senator Jon Husted, raised energy bills for Ohioans while bailing out the billionaires who had bribed them. Husted still refuses to answer questions about his involvement even after reporting has revealed his close involvement with the scandal.

Husted claimed he had no role in the legislative process surrounding HB6, but texts from FirstEnergy executives revealed that he was deeply involved in passing the legislation. FirstEnergy made secret donations to his campaign- which of course he refuses to answer questions about.

Under the DeWine/Husted administration, Ohio was named the most corrupt state government in the country. Former public officials and lobbyists have already faced federal charges- and state charges are ongoing. 

READ: Ohio Capital Journal: New texts allegedly show Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted leading FirstEnergy’s push for House Bill 6

• Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted allegedly led the charge with now-indicted FirstEnergy executives to pass legislation that was the result of the largest corruption scheme in state history, according to newly released text messages.

• Both DeWine and Husted have continuously denied any involvement, and law enforcement has not accused either of wrongdoing.

• But a public records request reveals Husted’s ties to former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and VP Michael Dowling — the ones who helped fund his campaign.

• Once in office, records show that it was Husted, not DeWine, who allegedly helped lead the charge for the bailout bill.

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