Steve Demetriou (R-Bainbridge Twp.) and Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown) introduced H.B. 710, legislation that addresses the public costs and community impacts associated with data center development in Ohio. As large-scale data centers continue to expand in the state, the legislation aims to protect taxpayers, ratepayers, farmland and local communities from expenses associated with economic development.
“Ohio should welcome innovation and investment, but not at the expense of our communities or taxpayers,” Demetriou said in a press release. “This legislation ensures that large scale data center development moves forward responsibly, without relying on public subsidies or placing additional financial burdens on Ohio families.”
The legislation allows data centers to develop in Ohio as long as projects do not rely on public subsidies, raise electricity costs for constituents or displace communities and prime agricultural land.
“We want economic growth that strengthens Ohio, not growth that displaces farmland, increases utility costs, or shifts infrastructure expenses onto working families and small businesses,” Workman said in a press release. “This bill establishes clear guardrails so development can occur in a way that is transparent, fair, and fiscally responsible.”
U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes also raised concerns regarding the expansion of data centers to support artificial intelligence due to the impact these centers have on electricity costs, local communities and the environment.
Ohio has the fifth-most data centers of any state with 217. These centers are expected to consume electricity equivalent to tens of thousands of homes and raise utility costs for residents in Syke’s district.
“We need to put strong guardrails in place so that data centers support our communities rather than the other way around,” Sykes said in a press release. “Ohioans should not pay higher electricity bills so billionaires in Silicon Valley can see higher profits, and we must harness this growth in a way that creates jobs without increasing costs for working families.”
Bills brought forth from Feb. 15 - March 15
Demetriou also introduced H.B. 726 on March 3, which would waive the requirement that an unemployment claimant must be actively seeking work under certain circumstances. The bill was referred to the Committee of Public Insurance and Pensions March 4.
The House passed Workman and Rep. Bill Roemer’s (R-Richfield) H.B. 503 on Feb. 25 and it was referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The legislation strengthens taxpayer protections and requires voters approval before a municipality modifies the amount or altogether repeals the municipal income tax reciprocity credit. Ohio municipalities use reciprocity credits to address the possibility of double taxation due to municipal income taxes applying where someone lives and where they earn income. State law did not previously require voter approval to change or repeal credits.
“Municipal income tax reciprocity credits have real consequences for working Ohioans,” Workman said in a press release. “This bill puts genuine control back in the hands of the people for tax decisions that directly impact their paychecks.”
Additionally, the House passed Workman’s H.B. 650 to establish a frontier technologies and quantum computing commission. It was referred to the Senate Financial Institutions, Insurance and Technology Senate Committee.
“We all feel this tectonic shift. Innovation races ahead, rewriting workplaces, economies, and security in months, not decades. Together, these forces represent one of the most significant technological transformations in modern history,” Workman said in a press release. “This is about preparedness, competitiveness, and responsible leadership in a moment that demands all three.”
The Senate passed State Sen. Kristina Roegner’s (R-Hudson) S.B. 263 March 4, which would allow professional employer organizations to file a single unemployment wage and contribution report with the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services rather than multiple. It was referred to the House Committee of Public Insurance and Pensions.
"Senate Bill 263 helps modernize Ohio’s unemployment reporting system by allowing professional employer organizations to file a single consolidated report for the businesses they support, rather than potentially hundreds per quarter," Roegner said in a press release. "By cutting unnecessary paperwork and red tape, this legislation lets employers focus on running their businesses while maintaining full accountability in our unemployment system.”
The Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services supports the bill.
"This small change will have a big impact, as it will cut down burdensome red tape and save employers time and money. At the same time, it will have no cost to the department," said Assistant Director Brad Barger.
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Bainbridge Township) and Sykes were not the primary sponsors of any bills.
How they’ve voted
Demetriou and Workman voted yes on S.B. 63, which prohibits the use of ranked choice voting and withholds local government fund distributions from counties using ranked choice voting. The bill was signed by Gov. Mike Dewine March 17.
Sykes and Joyce voted yes on H.R. 6329, the Information Quality Assurance Act of 2025. Legislation would ensure federal agencies rely on “scientific, technical, demographic, economic and statistical” information to inform the public of federal rules and guidance. The bill passed the House (362-1) and was referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Sykes and Joyce also both voted yes on H.R. 6472, the Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act. This legislation would require public higher education institutions that provide federal student aid programs not to charge more than in-state tuition and fees to students who are residents of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa or the U.S. Virgin Islands, provided they are U.S. nationals. The bill passed the House (351-72) and was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Additionally, Sykes voted yes and Joyce voted no on H Con Res 38, directing the president pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove U.S. armed forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The resolution directed the president to terminate the use of armed forces against Iran or the Iranian government or military unless authorized or a declaration of war has been enacted. It specified that it should not be construed to prevent the U.S. from defending itself from imminent attack.
The resolution did not pass the House (212-219).
Community activity and re-election campaigns
Sykes posted against the Trump administration’s military action in Iran. She made a statement Feb. 28 stating military action without clear objectives or legal mandate is unconstitutional and Congress should be briefed before anything escalates further.
“Once again, President Trump has launched illegal military strikes on a foreign country without congressional authorization. These attacks escalate tensions in the Middle East, put American service members at risk, and endanger civilians in Iran,” Sykes said in a press release. “At a time when American families are facing economic challenges at home, we should not be asked to bear the costs of another open-ended conflict. Above all, let’s not forget the human toll. I am praying for the safety and protection of our troops as they carry out these dangerous operations.”
Sykes and Roegner both posted about Women’s History Month.
Roegner was the keynote speaker at the Republican Party of Cuyahoga County annual women’s luncheon to celebrate Women’s History Month March 6.
Sykes posted for International Women’s Day March 8 and Equal Pay Day March 12.
“On average, women in #OH13 make just 72 cents for every dollar a man makes – the gap is even worse for women of color. I cosponsored the Paycheck Fairness Act to close the wage gap and ensure every woman is paid what she deserves,” she wrote.
Additionally, Sykes led the Democratic Women’s Caucus March 4 in a letter demanding Trump’s Department of Education revise a proposed rule that would disproportionately harm women graduate students’ funding and worsen workforce shortages.
The members wrote a letter to Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon, warning that narrowing the definition to exclude registered nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists, educators and social workers as “professional students” would prevent them from qualifying for greater loan assistance. The rule would define students in women-dominated fields as “graduate students,” who would have a cap of $20,5000 per year and a lifetime maximum of $100,00 in student loans, rather than as “professional students,” who have a cap of $50,000 per year and a lifetime maximum of $200,000.
“Women constitute 89% of registered nurses, 73% of teachers, and 83% of social workers. Yet, each field faces significant shortages. The women in these jobs keep our families healthy, our communities safe, and teach our kids valuable lessons and skills. We must bolster the number of women entering these professions. Instead, the Department is going to worsen the workforce shortages in these women dominated fields and limit access to quality health care and education for our communities,” the letter stated. “We call on the Department of Education to modify proposed rule RIN 1840-AD98 and maintain women’s access to student loans.”
Demetriou was named the American Legion Department of Ohio’s 2025 Legislator of the Year on March 18.
“As a veteran, that recognition means a great deal. I’ll continue fighting for those who served and their families,” he posted on social media.
Joyce released a statement Feb. 25 on President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. He said Trump and Congress have delivered on the promises they made, securing tax cuts for working families, stopping deadly drugs across the southern border, bolstering housing supply and increasing military readiness.
“While I am proud of our accomplishments, my colleagues and I know that there is still more work to be done,” he wrote. “We must continue to prioritize lowering the cost of living and ensuring that the American Dream is attainable for all our citizens. While the previous administration’s policies slowed growth and set our country back, I am filled with hope and determined to continue this positive momentum from President Trump’s first year in office. I look forward to continuing to work hand-in-hand with the Trump Administration to deliver more wins for Northeast Ohio and the American people as a whole.”
Joyce also posted on social media for his re-election campaign in the May 5 Republican primary, saying he has Trump’s “complete and total endorsement for re-election.”
Roegner is running for state treasurer; she has been endorsed by Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio, Attorney General Dave Yost, Lake County Republican Party, Turning Point Action and more.
Sykes kicked off her re-election campaign March 11.
“With this team, I know we are going to win in November, take back the majority, and continue delivering results for people in #OH13,” she wrote.
Savana Capp