Vernon Sykes News

Yesterday, state Senators Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) and Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) honored Connor Harris and Chika Nkwocha for receiving awards at the 2019 NAACP National Afro-American Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO). Connor Harris won a bronze medal for his research on the EPHA6 gene mutation and its correlation to colorectal cancer in African Americans. Chika Nkwocha won a silver medal for her expressive painting portraying black identity and experience.

Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) issued the following statement in response to Governor DeWine's legislative proposals following the mass shooting in Dayton:

On Wednesday, state Sen. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) hosted his annual fishing clinic for Akron's children in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on cases out of Maryland and North Carolina, deciding that partisan gerrymandering cases cannot be resolved by federal courts. The ruling means a similar, pending Ohio case against the state's congressional district maps will not go forward.

On Thursday, the Ohio Senate unanimously passed the state's two-year, $69 billion budget bill, House Bill 166.

Today, the Ohio Senate unanimously passed the state's two-year, $69 billion budget bill, House Bill 166.

On Tuesday, state Sens. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) and Jay Hottinger (R-Newark) provided sponsor testimony on their legislation to provide recourse for architects and other design professionals who are not fairly compensated for their work.

Today, Ohio Senate Democrats expressed cautious optimism about the revised version of the state's two-year operating budget, House Bill 166. The updated bill includes longstanding Democratic budget priorities, including increased investment in health care for seniors and people with disabilities, libraries and clean water.

Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) hosted the annual Soap Box Derby Champions Day at the Statehouse in Columbus. Winners of the state's 2019 individual and team races were recognized by both the Senate and the House.

Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) received the 2019 "A Step Above" Award from Groundwork Ohio at their 2019 Early Childhood Awareness and Education Summit for his commitment to expanding early childhood education and making higher education more affordable.

Today, state Senators Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) and Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard) gave sponsor testimony in front of the Senate Education Committee on Senate Bill 121, their bill to create health education standards for K-12 schools.

Today, a federal court has ruled that Ohio's congressional district map is unconstitutional, unfairly benefitting Republican candidates.

Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) announced that he will be part of a bipartisan working group tasked with implementing automatic voter registration in Ohio.

On Wednesday, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) received the 2018 Small Business Advocate of the Year Award from the Greater Cleveland Partnership and its Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) for his role in congressional redistricting reform.

On Wednesday evening, Governor Mike DeWine signed the state's transportation budget, which includes an amendment by state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) to expand the number of disabled veteran license plates a qualifying veteran can obtain from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Today, the Ohio Senate passed the state's two-year transportation budget, House Bill 62.

Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) joined the Ohio Census Advocacy Coalition (OCAC) to urge state and local leaders to ensure that all Ohioans are counted in the 2020 census.

Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) released the following statement in response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' approval of Ohio's Medicaid work requirement waiver.

Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) issued the following statement in response to Governor Mike DeWine's State of the State address.

Today, the Ohio Senate announced that state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) will serve as Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Finance Committee for the 133rd General Assembly.

This week, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) and other members of the state Controlling Board approved $22.9 million to repair the North Reservoir Dam at Portage Lakes.

This week, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) was named Legislator of the Year by the Ohio Association of Elections Officials (OAEO) for his work to bring Ohioans fairer legislative districts and more meaningful representation. Senator Sykes played an instrumental role in the congressional redistricting reform that was approved by the legislature in February 2018 and was later overwhelmingly approved by Ohio voters as a constitutional amendment.

Today, Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) took the oath of office to serve in the Ohio Senate during the 133rd General Assembly.

Today, the Republican-controlled Ohio legislature voted to override Governor John Kasich's veto on House Bill 228, watered-down gun legislation that primarily changes burden of proof standards in cases of self-defense and further limits cities' ability to regulate firearms.

Today, the Republican-controlled Ohio Senate voted to pass a controversial abortion ban, House Bill 258. Ohio Senate Democrats denounced the bill, which would prohibit abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected.