Legislative update: Redistricting, government shutdown, property tax
- The Ohio Redistricting Commission unanimously passed a congressional map on Oct. 31. It gave Republicans the advantage in Ohio, 12-3.
legislative-update
Legislative update: Sykes and Joyce cast opposing votes on government shutdown
-Lauren Cohen
U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes and U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, who represent Portage County residents, voted against each other on H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026, on Sept. 19. The bill was created to fund the government short-term to prevent a government shutdown.
Portage County legislators condemn Minnesota school shooting
-Staff Report
Some of Portage County’s legislators responded on social media, expressing sympathy or calling for action to end gun violence, after two children died and 21 people were wounded during a shooting on Aug. 27 in Minnesota.
Legislative update: House Republicans vote to override one of DeWine’s property tax vetoes
-Staff Report
Ohio House Reps. Steve Demetriou (R-Bainbridge Twp.) and Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown) recently voted with the Republican majority to override Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of a property tax provision in the state budget.
State passes budget bill, Portage legislators vote with party
-Staff Report
Ohio now has its fiscal year 2026-2027 operating budget, which Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law on July 1. Area representatives in the state House and Senate cast their votes along party lines, with not a single Democrat supporting it in either chamber.
Legislative update: U.S. representatives Sykes, Joyce differ on ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’
-Staff Report
U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) and U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Bainbridge Township) have taken opposite stances on the Republicans’ federal budget reconciliation bill — dubbed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Legislative update: Politicians talk House GOP budget, Demetriou runs for Ohio Senate
-Isabella Schreck
Ohio State Rep. Steve Demetriou (R-Bainbridge Twp.) is now engaged with a new opportunity, announcing he will run for Ohio Senate in the November 2026 special election.
Legislative update: Roegner continues SB1 support, Sykes brings on the bills
-Isabella Schreck
With the passing of Ohio’s controversial Senate Bill 1, President Donald Trump’s continued executive orders and the age-old partisan divide, Portage County politicians didn’t let up in the statehouse or on social media in March.
Legislative update: Partisan issues come up more and more as country divides
-Isabella Schreck
Welcome to The Portager’s legislative round-up, which will regularly track what Portage County lawmakers are doing in Washington and in Columbus.
Legislative update: Local politicians hit the ground running as new congressional session starts up
-Isabella Schreck
As the new congressional session started Jan. 3, state and federal representatives serving Portage County have begun legislation proposals and community outreach while doubling down on partisan positions in their messaging.
Legislative update: Pavliga uses her lame duck session to target pronouns
-Isabella Schreck
Welcome to the Portager’s legislative round-up, which will regularly track what Portage County lawmakers are doing in Washington and in Columbus.
Legislative Update: Locally sponsored bill on spousal rape heads to governor’s desk
-Mary Kay Quinn
A bill that would remove spousal exceptions from Ohio’s laws on rape and other sexual offenses has passed the House and Senate and now goes to Gov. Mike DeWine.
Legislative Roundup: Aid package signed by Biden finds agreement among local reps, split among senators
-Mary Kay Quinn
Ohio’s U.S. senators split on a foreign aid package that will be key to sending weapons and equipment to war-torn Ukraine this week.
Reps. Joyce, Sykes vote for tax package with child tax credit
-Mary Kay Quinn
Portage County’s representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives joined the majority Jan. 31 in passing a bipartisan tax package that would include a child tax credit expansion.
Legislative update: Ohio Rep. Gail Pavliga votes to override governor’s veto of transgender legislation
-Mary Kay Quinn
Portage County’s state representatives joined their Republican colleagues Jan. 10 in overriding Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of the bill that bans gender-affirming care and restricts transgender students’ participation in sports.
Legislative Update: Marijuana legalization moves toward consensus in Ohio
-Mary Kay Quinn
Voters passed Issue 2 in the general election, so 30 days later — Dec. 7 — it technically became legal to possess, grow and buy recreational marijuana in Ohio.
Local lawmaker’s bill backs more training for police as ‘sextortion’ cases gain prominence
-Mary Kay Quinn
Welcome to our legislative round-up! Twice a month, we’ll give you an update on what Portage County lawmakers are doing in Washington and in Columbus. This round-up will include information on the various bills your representatives are voting on, as well as how they’re voting.