Nickie J. Antonio News

Today, the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus applauded Democratic successes during lame duck and urged Governor DeWine to veto a number of harmful pieces of legislation that passed.

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) applauded the many individuals and advocates that testified in opposition to House Bill 151, especially Ember Zelch, the sole transgender girl playing sports in Ohio, whose testimony Antonio shared during session. As amended and passed by the Senate, H.B. 151 would have prohibited transgender girls from playing on girls' school sports teams. The measure failed to advance in the Ohio House.

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) announced the Senate's concurrence on Senate Bill 288. Senate Bill 288 was amended to include her bill, Senate Bill 90, joint-sponsored with Senator Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard), which creates the offense of strangulation in the Ohio Revised Code.

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) announced the House's passage and the Senate's concurrence on Senate Bill 202. The legislation, joint-sponsored by Senators Antonio and Bob Hackett (R-London), would prohibit a person's disability from being used to deny or limit custody, parenting time, visitation, adoption or service as a guardian or foster caregiver.

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) released the following statement after the Ohio State Board of Education passed a resolution that opposes a proposal by the U.S. Department of Education to expand federal Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ students in Ohio:

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) provided sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 198, which would eliminate criminal and civil statutes of limitations for rape in Ohio. The bill would not apply to crimes already past the statute of limitations.

Today, the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus voted on and announced caucus leadership for the 135th General Assembly, beginning in January 2023. The Caucus voted to elect state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) as Minority Leader.

Today, state Senators Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) and Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard) provided sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 137, which would modify the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board (PAMR). The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) established the Ohio PAMR to identify and review pregnancy-associated deaths with the goal of developing interventions to reduce maternal mortality, particularly for pregnancy-related deaths.

Today, state Senators Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) and Tina Maharath (D-Canal Winchester) provided sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 50, which would prohibit certain licensed healthcare professionals in Ohio from engaging in conversion therapy when treating minors.

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) issued a statement in response to the Ohio Supreme Court's ruling that overturned the conviction of Ralph Bortree for the 1993 attempted aggravated murder of Anita Clark in Logan County:

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) released the following statement after the Ohio State Board of Education announced that it will consider adopting a resolution that would urge school districts to oppose and disregard the enhanced Title IX protections proposed in June 2022 that would prohibit all schools that receive federal funds - including public, charter, private, and parochial schools - from "adopting a policy or engaging in a practice that prevents a person from participating in an education program or activity consistent with their gender identity."

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) applauded a multimillion-dollar appropriation in the fiscal year 2023 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) budget, which will go to organizations across Ohio that work to reduce poverty and support families and children.

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) released the following statement in response to Attorney General Dave Yost's decision to join 21 other attorneys general in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) for their new rules prohibiting discrimination against gender identity or sexual orientation in schools that receive federal funding for nutrition assistance programs:

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) sent a letter to Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff urging him to accelerate Ohio's response to the outbreak of the monkeypox virus, which he recently declared a "disease of significant public concern" that poses a risk of human fatality or disability in the state.

Today, Assistant Minority Leader Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) sponsored a lunch and discussion with Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil of India - the first openly gay royal in the world - Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington), additional invited legislators and other advocates for LGBTQ+ equality in Ohio.

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court opinion in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case, which overturns Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, removes the federal constitutional right to abortion and gives the power to restrict or ban abortion to each state:

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) praised the Ohio Senate's passage of the state's Capital Budget, which includes $3.7 million for eleven economic development projects within Ohio's 23rd Senate District and over $23 million for Cuyahoga County as a whole.

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) praised the Ohio Senate's passage of Senate Bill 255, which designates the Officer Wayne A. Leon Memorial Highway.

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) announced the Senate's concurrence on Substitute Senate Bill 61, her bill to strengthen a number of consumer protection provisions for condominium owners and make changes to the law regarding solar panel installation in condo properties and planned communities.

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) announced the Senate's unanimous passage of Senate Bill 202. S. B. 202, joint-sponsored by Antonio and Senator Bob Hackett (R-London), would prohibit a person's disability from being used to deny or limit custody, parenting time, visitation, adoption or service as a guardian or foster caregiver.

Today, Senate Assistant Minority Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood), House Minority Whip Jessica E. Miranda (D-Forest Park), Senator Sandra R. Williams (D-Cleveland), and Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown) held a press conference to discuss their proposed amendment to Ohio's Constitution that would ensure all people have the freedom to make decisions about their bodies and health care.

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) issued a statement in response to the leaked U.S. Supreme Court opinion, indicating that the Court would overturn Roe v. Wade, remove the federal constitutional right to abortion and give the power to restrict or ban abortion to each state. The Court's decision will not be considered final until it is published in the coming months.

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) released the following statement after the Ohio Department of Medicaid announced it will delay the complete implementation of its Next Generation Medicaid program, and instead stagger the implementation of the program's five components starting July 1, 2022:

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) released the following statement after NaloxBoxes - which contain naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication - were installed in the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts and Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus:

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood), along with state Representatives Michael J. O'Brien (D-Warren) and Jon Cross (R-Kenton); state Senator Michael Rulli (R-Salem); former state Senator Sean O'Brien; Congressman Steve Chabot; President and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Steve Stivers; and a delegation from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, held a press conference to announce the creation of a bipartisan, bicameral Taiwan Friendship Caucus.