Government & Politics

First Hearing Tuesday For Racism As Public Health Crisis Resolution

The Statehouse News Bureau | By Karen Kasler,

Karen Kasler

Published June 8, 2020 at 4:47 PM EDT

Minority Leader Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) and Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) talk before House session on June 4, 2020, as protestors demonstrate outside the Statehouse. A few moments later, the House held a moment of silence for George Floyd.

A resolution introduced last week to declare racism a public health crisis is getting its first hearing in the Republican-dominated Ohio Senate, where one member of the GOP has joined eight Democrats in sponsoring the measure.

Even though it wouldn’t have the same legal impact as a law, this proposal faces an uphill battle.

Sen. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton) is the only Republican in the Ohio legislature to join in sponsoring this resolution, either in the House or Senate.

In the House, none of the 34 sponsors are Republicans. Majority Leader Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) said on Twitter that Republicans won’t be bullied into passing it without a hearing.

. @OHHouseDems claim their priority bills haven't seen the light of day. However our caucuses have worked together on the priorities @EmiliaSykesOH identified and the House has delivered. The Majority will not be bullied into passing resolutions that haven't received a hearing yet pic.twitter.com/eZksNzMndU— Representative Bill Seitz (@CincySeitz) June 2, 2020

Sponsoring Democratic Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) said on "The State of Ohio" that her caucus is determined.

“Wearefocusedbeyondpolitics.We're focusinginonpeople," Howse said."Peoplewillhaveconversationswiththeirconstituents.Thepeoplewillalwayshavethe lastsay.Peopleareunderstandingwhetherthepowertrulyis. It'sinthepeople.”

Another reaction came from Rep. Nino Vitale (R-Urbana), who’s blasted the state’s COVID-19 policies and shutdowns. He suggested on Facebook that the resolution could bring similar actions to those he’s criticized.

Howse and Vitale have clashed over social media before, over her bill to create a pilot therapy program for Cleveland area kids and families at risk of trauma related to gun violence.

Vitale wrote on Facebook that Howse’s bill gives ODH Director Amy Acton "the power to create and control firearms and therapy programs for guns."

Howse replied, “It's either he did not read the bill or he can't comprehend.”