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Sen. Skindell congratulates activists for bringing fair dog laws to Lakewood

State Senator Michael J. Skindell congratulates local activists, whose campaign to bring fair dog laws to Lakewood finally succeeded Monday evening, after a decade of effort.

At the April 2, 2018 Lakewood City Council meeting, council members voted for updated legislation, that ends the city’s pit-bull ban and 10 years of discriminatory breed-specific legislation (BSL).

As a legislator Skindell dedicated years to a parallel effort, to repeal statewide BSL, which expert studies have found impractical, costly and potentially counterproductive to public safety. In session after session, Skindell introduced, co-sponsored and voted for bills to make Ohio law breed-neutral. In 2012, his own persistence finally met with success.

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Campaign trail notes

Thursday evening, Sen. Skindell addressed a room of well over 100 people at the Lakewood Democratic Club’s March meeting. A number of candidates for statehouse and other offices joined the unusually large crowd drawn by two candidates for Ohio governor: Richard Cordray & Dennis Kucinich.

During his own brief remarks, in-between the two headline guests, Skindell talked through highlights of what he has accomplished as a legislator:

  • Drafting the first budget in 70 years to receive unanimous support in the Ohio House
  • Getting the Department of Disabilities records online for the first time
  • Passing legislation letting judges extend protection orders to companion animals, which too often have been threatened or harmed to attack a person granted a protection order
  • Creating Ohio’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard
  • Pushing back firmly against the initial draft of a congressional redistricting update—which reformers also derided as a sham—and helping to steer negotiations toward the far better language of Issue 1

Earlier in the week, Skindell paid a visit to Cleveland’s Ward 15 Democratic Club. (more…)

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Recognition by Moms Demand Action

Michael J. Skindell for State Representative has been recognized as a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate.

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes. Since its inception after the tragedy at Sandy Hook School, Moms Demand Action has established a chapter in every state of the country and, along with Mayors Against Illegal Guns and the Everytown Survivor Network, is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than four million supporters.

The group awards the Gun Sense Candidate distinction to those “standing up for gun violence prevention and recognizing gun safety.”

Skindell’s record on gun laws includes:

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Advocacy for our environment

Defending clean air and water has been a consistent priority for Mike Skindell. Upon first arriving in the General Assembly, he went to work promoting a renewable energy portfolio standard; years of effort ultimately got this standard passed and signed into law. Skindell has steadfastly opposed efforts to eliminate the renewable energy standard; he has worked hard to restrict fracking, and reform unreasonable setback rules that have stalled wind-energy development in Ohio.

Both the Ohio Environmental Council and the Nature Conservancy have recognized Skindell’s work. On Monday, March 12, they were joined by Cleveland’s newest political advocacy group. The Westside Enviro Dems hosted a reception and fundraiser for Skindell, as well as state senate candidate Nickie J. Antonio and House District 14 candidate Steve Holecko.

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AFL-CIO & more endorsements

The Ohio AFL-CIO has endorsed Michael J. Skindell for State Representative. The endorsement is an honor, and welcome recognition of Skindell’s commitment to working families:

  • support for collective bargaining
  • support for project labor agreements
  • opposition to privatization of public services
  • support for a $15 minimum wage
  • support for pay equity
  • opposition to “right to work” for less

The Ohio AFL-CIO represents nearly two-thirds of a million workers in more than 1500 affiliated unions.

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Campaign Kick-off

A standing-room-only crowd attended the official kick-off rally of Michael J. Skindell’s campaign for state representative, District 13, on Sunday.

Crowd at Skindell, Antonio, Holecko kickoff rally

The rally also served as grand opening of a shared office for the campaigns of Skindell, Nickie J. Antonio for state senate District 23, and Steve Holecko for state representative District 14. All three candidates have been endorsed by the Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus.

Skindell spoke to the substantial crowd about both his history as a legislator, and why he is passionate about continuing in public service as a state representative.

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Senators Skindell And Tavares Introduce Assault Weapons Ban

COLUMBUS — Today, Senator Michael Skindell (D–Lakewood) and Senator Charleta B. Tavares (D-Columbus) introduced Senate Bill 260, which would establish an assault weapons ban throughout Ohio.

The legislation specifically makes it a felony of the fifth degree for possessing or acquiring an assault weapon. Under the bill, an “assault weapon” is an automatic firearm or semi-automatic firearm capable of accepting a detachable magazine with the capacity of accepting ten or more cartridges and a semi-automatic firearm with a fixed magazine with the capacity of accepting ten or more cartridges. The legislation models Senate Bill 18 introduced in 2013 and co-sponsored by Senators Skindell and Tavares.

“The recent, sorrowful events in Florida and Nevada and so many more places teach us why it is important to ban weapons that are meant for waging war,” said Senator Skindell. “While we cannot stop every act of suffering inflicted upon the public, it is our responsibility to limit access to these assault weapons. Until better national standards are enacted to regulate the sale of these dangerous assault weapons, Ohio should have its own regulations to protect the public.”

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Democratic State Senator Michael J. Skindell Officially Kicks-Off Ohio House Legislative Campaign

LAKEWOOD – Thursday, January 4, 2018 – Seeking to continue to represent the residents of Cleveland’s west side and Lakewood in the Ohio General Assembly, Democratic State Senator Michael J. Skindell has filed petitions to run for State Representative for the 13th House District. Skindell has proven to be a powerful vote-getter which sent him to Columbus with big margins since 2002. Previous to that he was a Lakewood Councilman at Large for five years.

Upon announcing his candidacy, Michael Skindell stated: “It has been an honor for me to represent Cleveland’s Westside and Lakewood in the Ohio General Assembly. Both as State Representative and Senator I have developed a strong record of accomplishments and a reputation of being conscientious and diligent. During my entire career in public service I have always fought for open government.” (more…)

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