By Savana Capp

Ohio has the fifth most data centers of any state with 217, and multiple of those are in Stark and Summit counties, U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes said in a late February news release. 

“We need to put strong guardrails in place so that data centers support our communities rather than the other way around,” Sykes said in the 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.”

Sykes 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. 

These centers are expected to consume electricity equivalent to tens of thousands of homes and raise utility costs for residents in Sykes’ district. 

Rep. Jack Daniels (R-New Franklin) and Rep. Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) announced Feb. 26 that their H.C.R. 22 is enrolled. The legislation would encourage, not mandate, students K-12 to read the Declaration of Independence in the classroom for the 25-26 school year, recognizing its 250th anniversary. 

“Ohio is reaffirming the importance of civic understanding as we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence,” Daniels said in a press release. “This resolution invites students to engage directly with the words that gave birth to our great nation. By encouraging thoughtful reflection on these founding principles, we help ensure the next generation understands not only where we have been, but the ideals that continue to guide us forward.”

Roemer also co-introduced H.B. 737 March 4. This legislation would require all cash payments to be rounded to the nearest five cents. 

“This is common-sense legislation that reflects the reality of today’s economy,” Roemer said in a press release. “By rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel, we can reduce unnecessary costs while allowing constituents and businesses to continue to transact efficiently.”

Additionally, the House passed Roemer and Rep. Heidi Workman’s (R-Rootstown) 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. 

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.

Sykes, State Rep. Derrick Hall (D-Akron), State Rep. Veronica Sims (D-Akron) and State Sen. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) were not the primary sponsors of any bills. 

Daniels and Roemer both 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; Hall voted no. The bill was signed by Gov. Mike Dewine March 17.  

Sykes voted yes on seven bills this month and no on two bills. 

She voted yes on H.R. 6329, the Information Quality Assurance Act of 2025, which 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. 

She also 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, she voted yes 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).  

Sims, Weinstein and Hall attended Dewine’s State of the State Address March 10. 

Sims made a statement regarding some of the issues that Dewine did not address, like affordability. 

“Ohioans are underwater in need but their cries continue to go unheard: cries for affordable housing and childcare; access to healthcare and food; full funding of public education; public safety and gun violence elimination; removal of any and all impediments to the ballot box; and bona fide resources to help ensure that seniors are able to remain in community aging healthily and with dignity, to name just a few,” she said in the statement.

Sims attended the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus retreat and closed out this year's Black History Month celebration by directing the first bipartisan mass choir of elected officials and candidates Feb. 28. 

Hall, Sykes and Roegner all posted about Women’s History Month. Hall posted on social media for International Woman’s Day on March 8 with resources and said, “Today we celebrate the social, cultural, political, and economic achievement of women across Ohio and across the world.” 

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.”

Weinstein and Roemer attended a press conference with the Humane Society of Summit County March 5 to highlight the work done supporting animal welfare services and pet adoption. 

“The Humane Society of Summit County does incredible work every day to protect vulnerable animals, connect pets with loving families, and promote responsible pet ownership across our community,” Weinstein said. “I am proud to stand alongside them and champion meaningful, bipartisan legislation in Columbus that strengthens animal welfare laws and ensures accountability for those who mistreat animals.”

Weinstein and Sykes posted against the Trump administration’s military action in Iran. 

Sykes 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.”

"Our hearts grieve for the service members killed and those fighting for their lives in Iran today,” Weinstein posted on social media March 1. “It’s a vital reminder that our troops are the ones that take on the risk and bear sacrifices, not the decision makers.” 

On March 19, Hall held his re-election campaign launch in Hudson for his next term as state representative. Weinstein, family and community members attended the event. 

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.