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.

State Senators Charleta B. Tavares (D-Columbus), Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland) and Vernon Sykes (D-Akron), together with state Representatives Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) and Emilia Sykes (D-Akron), today urged the legislature to study the progress and challenges of African Americans in Ohio.

Today, the Ohio Senate passed an amended version of House Bill 228. The controversial legislation, which before it was amended would have made Ohio a Stand-Your-Ground state, now primarily changes burden of proof standards in cases of self-defense and further limits cities' ability to regulate firearms.

Today the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision on the Janus vs. AFSCME case, stating that public-sector unions' fair share fees, collected from employees who decline to join a union but still benefit from their negotiations, are unconstitutional. The decision will essentially bring "right to work" to public sector workers across America. 

Ohio state Senator Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland) issued the following statement in response:

Today, state Senators Joe Schiavoni (D-Boardman) and Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland) gave sponsor testimony before the Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee on Senate Bill 278, the so-called red flag bill. 

State Senator Sandra Williams (D- Cleveland) applauds the Ohio Senate for passing Senate Bill 116. Joint-sponsored by Senator LaRose (R-Hudson), Senate Bill 116 permits an individual who has to quit work to accompany the individual's spouse on a military transfer to be eligible for unemployment compensation benefits.

Today, Senator Williams applauds the Ohio State Senate for the favorable passage (33-0) of Senate Bill 82, known as the Alianna Alert. After over a year of hearings and testimony, Senate Bill 82 received bipartisan support and the legislation will now move to the House of Representatives.

State Senators Joe Schiavoni (D-Boardman) and Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland) announced at a press conference today that they will introduce red flag legislation to help make communities safer by preventing gun-related deaths. Senators Schiavoni and Williams were joined by activists from Moms Demand Action, which supports the legislation.

Today, State Senator Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland) applauded the Ohio Senate's passage of the state's Capital Budget, which includes $20,549,500 for Cuyahoga County community projects, $14,100,000 of which are in Ohio's 21st Senate District.

Columbus - Today, state Senator Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland), along with state Representatives Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) and Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland), hosted the Third Annual Energy Assistance Expo to provide resources to residents of Cleveland who need assistance with their energy bills.