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Ohio Fairness Act will attract workers, business investment

In a virtual press conference today, State. Rep. Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood) announced he will be reintroducing the Ohio Fairness Act, bipartisan legislation that would protect LGBTQ+ Ohioans from discrimination in employment, housing and accommodations. Rep. Skindell has sponsored or co-sponsored versions of the Ohio Fairness Act every legislative session since 2003.

“As we work to grow our economy and lower unemployment, we must not allow discrimination of any form to occur,” said Rep. Skindell. “Qualified and competent employees can currently lose their jobs because of who they are or whom they love. Ohio should be a welcoming place to attract and retain the most talented workers. Passage of the Ohio Fairness Act fulfills the Ohio Promise as it will make Ohio a welcoming place to live, raise a family, work and retire.”

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Reps. Skindell and Upchurch seek $150 Million for Transit

State Reps. Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood) and Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) today filed legislation to fund public transit in Ohio at $150 million annually, using a mix of State and Federal revenues. The legislation seeks $100 million from Ohio’s General Revenue Fund and $50 million in revenue from Federal Highway dollars, known as Federal Flex dollars, annually over the two-year budget to go to transit.

In his proposed state budget, Governor DeWine outlines a small appropriation of approximately $7.3 million annually from the General Revenue Fund for public transit. Neither the state operating budget nor the state transportation budget earmarks federal flex dollars for transit. The existing state operating budget passed in 2019 appropriated $70 million annually for public transit from the General Revenue Funds. Transit systems have received less than this amount due to budget cuts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am extremely discouraged that Gov. DeWine and his administration do not understand the importance of public transit for many working individuals in this state, said Rep. Skindell.

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Generation Now pleads guilty to federal racketeering charges

Sponsors of legislation to repeal the House Bill 6 energy bailout issued statements after Generation Now signed a guilty plea, admitting involvement in a multi-million dollar bribery and racketeering scheme to pass and protect a $1 billion corporate bailout.

“Today’s news that Generation Now is pleading guilty to federal racketeering charges makes it abundantly clear that we must repeal House Bill 6 immediately,” said Rep. Michael J. Skindell (D-Lakewood).

“Corruption has no place in our politics, and this bill is the most corrupt piece of legislation I’ve seen in my time in the legislature. We must act to overturn HB 6 to restore the public trust and protect taxpayer dollars.”

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Successful advocacy for local project funds

State Representative Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood) is pleased to announce the inclusion of funding for several local projects in the two-year state capital budget.  The $2.1 billion capital budget is designed to meet the capital needs of state property from parks to state universities and also includes $186.6 million for local projects across the state which have strong community support. Cuyahoga County has been allotted nearly $24 million in the budget.

Included in the capital budget was funding for three local projects in State House District 13 and several regional projects advocated by Representative Skindell.  The local projects include:

  • $250,000 for the adaption reuse of the former Cove United Methodist Church Building.  The city of Lakewood acquired the property and is planning to transform this beautiful structure into a multipurpose community center;
  • $300,000 for the Beck Center for the Arts for renovations and additions of its current facility; and
  • $150,000 for the Edna House for Women, which is recovery housing in Cleveland’s near west side.

Several regional projects advocated by Rep. Skindell include: (more…)

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Endorsements 2020

The following individuals and organizations endorsed State Representative Michael J. Skindell for reelection in 2020:

  • Affiliated Construction Trades Ohio Foundation (ACT Ohio)
  • AFSCME Power In Action
  • Cleveland American Middle East Organization (CAMEO)
  • Cleveland Building & Construction Trades Council
  • Communications Workers of America D4
  • Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus
  • Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters
  • International Union of Operating Engineers
  • Lakewood Mayor Meghan George
  • Lakewood City Councilperson Tristan Rader
  • The Lakewood Democratic Club
  • NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio
  • Ohio AFL-CIO
  • Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters
  • Ohio Association of Public School Employees
  • Ohio Education Association
  • Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund PAC
  • Ohio Federation of Teachers
  • Ohio Sierra Club
  • Ohio State Chiropractic Association
  • Ohio State Legislative Board, Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers -Transportation Division (SMART-TD)
  • Our Revolution
  • Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio
  • Teamsters Ohio D.R.I.V.E.

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Ohio needs action against corruption now

During a House committee hearing today, state Representative Michael J. Skindell again advocated repeal of House Bill 6, the multi-billion-dollar corporate bailout bill at the center of an ongoing FBI criminal investigation into an alleged bribery scheme.

“Legislation adopted by means of corruption is in itself corrupt. We must restore public trust in the legislature by repealing this bill,” said Skindell.

During the meeting, Skindell and Michael O’Brien (D-Warren) offered sponsor testimony on HB 738, their bill to repeal HB 6.

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Leading the Fight to Repeal House Bill 6

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State Rep. Michael J. Skindell adamantly opposed Ohio House Bill 6 when first passed in 2019, and leads efforts to repeal the massive corporate bailout and wipeout of renewable energy standards. Upon the arrest of former House Speaker Larry Householder, on charges of an extensive bribery campaign to buy votes for House Bill 6, Skindell promptly called for the legislation’s repeal.

Skindell and state Rep. Michael O’Brien introduced a repeal bill before the end of July. Democratic legislators have voiced their support for repeal, as has Ohio’s governor, and Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof has announced that the Ohio Senate will vote on repeal.

In the Ohio House, however, Republican leadership is pushing back against the calls for repeal. (more…)

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Skindell calls for HB 6 repeal

State Representative Michael J. Skindell (D-Lakewood) and Rep. Michael O’Brien (D-Warren) announced plans today to introduce a bill that would repeal House Bill 6. This follows news that Speaker of the House Larry Householder (R-Glenford) allegedly accepted tens of millions of dollars in bribes to pass it and prevent a referendum. “Corruption has no place […]

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Fairness Act needed to protect Ohioans during pandemic

State. Rep. Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood) today urged action on the Ohio Fairness Act, bipartisan legislation that would protect LGBTQ Ohioans from discrimination in employment, housing and accommodations. The Ohio Fairness Act had its last hearing on Feb. 4, 2020 in the Ohio House Civil Justice Committee. The call comes amid a global pandemic that is […]

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