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.

U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes’ district will lean Democratic, 52% to 48% Republican, according to Ohio Capital Journal.

Bills brought forth from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31

Sykes introduced three bills on Oct. 6, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, aimed at helping domestic violence survivors.

“Every person deserves to live free from fear and violence,” Sykes said in a press release. “I’m committed to standing with survivors and delivering real solutions that help them rebuild their lives.”

H.R. 5702, the Better Care for Domestic Violence Survivors Act, would “amend the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to ensure that healthcare providers can assist survivors of domestic violence, and for other purposes,” according to its page on the Library of Congress website. It currently sits in the House Committee on the Judiciary.

H.R. 5701, the Fair Social Security for Domestic Violence Survivors Act, would reduce the 10-year marriage rule requirement for spouses to receive Social Security benefits if a court finds they experienced domestic violence during the marriage. The bill sits in the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R. 5700, the Break Free From Domestic Violence Act, would provide more housing protections for domestic violence survivors. It currently sits in the House Committee on Financial Services.

Sykes also introduced H.R. 5893, the GUARD Act, on Oct. 31, which would ensure that “the Social Security Administration remains fully operational and responsive to the American people during government shutdowns,” according to a press release by Sykes.

The bill was cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr., a Republican from Pennsylvania, and currently sits in both the Committee on Appropriations and Committee on Ways and Means.

“Social Security is a lifeline for millions of Americans, and its services should never be held hostage to partisan gridlock,” Sykes said in the press release. “During this shutdown, my office has been unable to help constituents with their Social Security cases — something no member of Congress should have to tell the people they serve.”

H.R. 5761, the Fair Warning Act of 2025, was reintroduced by Sykes on Oct. 14 alongside cosponsors U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, a Democrat from Michigan, and U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, a Democrat from Illinois.

It would “update the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act of 1988, hold employers accountable and give workers and communities the notice they need to best prepare for and recover from employer decisions that cost them their jobs,” according to a press release by Sykes.

It currently sits in the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

“Losing a job is tough enough, but it’s made even worse when large corporations ignore the letter of the law and refuse to give hard-working Ohioans and our communities the advance notice they need to prepare for what comes next,” Sykes said in the press release. “People in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District deserve transparency.”

State Rep. Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown) introduced three bills in October.

She introduced H.B. 516 on Oct. 14, which would “designate a portion of State Route 5 in Portage County and Trumbull County as the ‘83rd Ohio Division Memorial Highway,’” according to its page on the Ohio House of Representatives website. It currently sits in the House Transportation Committee.

She also introduced H.B. 512 on Oct. 14 alongside State Rep. Thad Claggett (R-Licking County). This bill would modify laws around project labor agreements in public improvement contracts. It currently sits in the House Commerce and Labor Committee.

Finally, she introduced H.B. 503 on Oct. 7 alongside Ohio State Rep. Bill Roemer (R-Richfield). The bill would “require voter approval to modify a municipal income tax reciprocity credit and to allow a voter initiative to authorize, modify or repeal such a credit,” according to its page on the Ohio House of Representatives website.

It currently sits in the House Ways and Means Committee.

Ohio Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) introduced three bills in October. One is S.B. 281, which would authorize a county commissioners board to award a franchise for the operation of a public transit system. It currently sits in the Senate Local Government Committee.

Roegner also introduced S.B. 300 on Oct. 21, which would amend laws relating to functions and responsibilities of the state treasurer’s office. It currently sits in the Senate Finance Committee.

She introduced S.B. 312 on Oct. 29, which would establish a new process for dealing with federal mineral royalty payments in the state. It currently sits in the State Energy Committee.

Ohio State Rep. Steve Demetriou (R-Bainbridge Twp.) and U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Bainbridge Township) were not the primary sponsors of any bills in October.

How they’ve voted

Both Demetriou and Workman voted yes on seven bills in October. (These bills may have progressed or been voted on again since the end of October.) Here’s the rundown:

H.B. 186 would establish a cap on property tax revenue growth for homeowners. It passed in the House.

H.B. 335 would establish caps on increases to the first 10 mills of property tax. It passed in the House.

According to a press release by Demetriou, H.B. 186 and H.B. 335 would result in more than $2.4 billion in savings.

“Homeowners across our state have felt the pressure of rising property values and increasing tax burdens, and these bills represent significant progress in easing that strain,” Demetriou said in the press release.

“These bills directly respond to what I’ve been hearing from homeowners — that they can’t keep up with property tax spikes that don’t match their income,” Workman said in a press release. “We’re putting common sense guardrails in place to stop runaway increases and restore predictability for taxpayers.”

S.B. 56 would amend cannabis regulations and prohibit smoking in public. It passed in the House.

H.B. 129 would limit the ability to reallocate certain school property tax millage, and it passed in the House.

H.B. 170 would create a process to regulate carbon capture and storage technologies. It passed in the House 93-4.

H.B. 309 would amend the tax code regarding laws governing county budget commissions and property taxation. It passed in the House.

H.B. 57 would allow K-12 schools to store and use opioid reversal drugs. It also amends limits on student attendance in released time courses in religious instruction. The bill passed in the house 76-18 and was signed by Gov. Mike DeWine on Oct. 20. It goes into effect Jan. 19, 2026.

Roegner voted yes on this bill and three others, as well, including S.B. 156, H.B. 96 and H.B. 144.

S.B. 156 would require teaching the success sequence curriculum to students, a framework that includes graduating high school, getting a job and getting married before having a baby. The bill passed in the Senate 24-9.

H.B. 96 appropriated funding for the fiscal year 2026-2027 state budget. It passed 21-11 in the Senate and was signed by the governor.

H.B. 144 expands the communication disability database to include any person with a disability. It passed unanimously in the Senate, was signed by DeWine on Oct. 20 and goes into effect Jan. 19, 2026.

Government shutdown reactions

House Republicans blocked a vote on Sykes’ Pay Our Military Act bill, H.R. 2017, on Oct. 10. This bill would have ensured military members continue receiving pay during the government shutdown.

“It is unacceptable that House Republicans choose to play political games rather than ensuring the men and women who serve our country receive their paychecks,” Sykes said in a press release.

Joyce released a press release on Oct. 1 about the government shutdown, stating that in early September, House Republicans passed a clean continuing resolution to give Congress more time to negotiate appropriation bills that passed in the House committee. A Senate agreement was not reached in time, which led to the shutdown.

“It’s time to get serious, fund the government and work for the American people,” Joyce wrote on social media.

He released government shutdown resources available to the public, including questions/answers, specific services that would be impacted and resources for agencies that would be affected.

Shelter Care Inc. received $350,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families to help children and families struggling with homelessness, domestic violence and mental health issues in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.

Sharing stances on social media and community work

Sykes hosted a “Call with Your Congresswoman” and joined a virtual town hall in October with the Ohio Democratic Delegation to answer constituent questions about the government shutdown and talk about its connection to affordable healthcare.

Sykes also visited the Akron-Canton Airport during the shutdown and brought them coffee and doughnuts to express her gratitude for their work, according to a press release.

“Our federal workers are the backbone of so many essential services, and they deserve our respect, gratitude and fair compensation,” Sykes said.

On the two-year anniversary of the beginning of the Gaza war, Demetriou posted on social media to acknowledge it.

“We continue to grieve for the innocent lives lost, pray for families still waiting for answers and stand in steadfast solidarity with our ally, Israel,” he wrote. “May lasting peace be built upon justice and the unwavering rejection of terror.”

When the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began on Oct. 10, Joyce posted on social media thanking President Donald Trump.

“I am praying for the hostages’ swift return home,” Joyce wrote.

During Roegner’s run for state treasurer, she worked to build momentum with voters throughout October.

She attended a pro-life rally in Columbus and a GOP dinner in Geauga County.

“Ohio is beautiful,” Roegner wrote on social media.

She received an endorsement for state treasurer from a former Ohio state representative, Jim Buchy.

In his endorsement, he wrote, “Her unwavering commitment to conservative principles and common-sense leadership makes her a trusted ally for state treasurer.”

Joyce posted on social media when he heard of Kent Mayor Jerry Fiala's passing.

“Jerry served his community with humility and compassion, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with him,” Joyce wrote. “He will be greatly missed.”

Joyce was recognized by the National Retail Federation as a Congressional Retail Crime Fighter for his Combating Organized Retail Crime Act that was introduced in April.

Workman posted on social media that she joined Akron Children’s Hospital for a ribbon-cutting of its new pediatric intensive care unit, celebrated 100 years of the Goodyear Blimp and gifted an American flag that was flown at the Statehouse to a 22-mile walk that was held in honor of veterans lost to suicide.

Roegner attended State Rep. Bob Peterson’s (R-Sabina) annual fall fundraiser, calling him a dear friend. She also attended the Washington County Republican Party’s Annual Reagan Dinner alongside 700 other people.

Demetriou participated in a toy drive for kids at Akron Children’s Hospital on Oct. 17.