Hello folks,

This week Ohio Democrats celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week and National Nurses Day by voicing our gratitude for these often unsung heroes. The coronavirus crisis has shown us all how much we rely on teachers and nurses to care for us and our children. We can never say thank you enough.

We are continuing to move forward with the delegate selection process for this summer's Democratic National Convention. The deadline is approaching for those who want to apply to serve as a PLEO (Party Leaders and Elected Officials) or at-large delegate. Click here to apply -- the deadline is Friday, May 29.

In solidarity,

David

David Pepper
Chairman
Ohio Democratic Party

Trump Still Wants to "Terminate" the Affordable Care Act

The coronavirus pandemic has claimed the lives of more than 70,000 Americans, but the Trump administration and Republican officials are still fighting to rip health coverage away from more than half a million Ohioans who are covered under the Medicaid expansion, take protections away from nearly five million Ohioans with pre-existing conditions and put as many as one-fourth of Ohio's hospitals at risk for closure.

"Since Donald Trump came into office, Ohio's uninsured rate has gone up, and the number of uninsured Ohio kids has surged, and that was before the coronavirus crisis hit our shores," said Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper. "Trump and the GOP have never had a plan for health care -- this lawsuit is the Republican plan. Even after more than 70,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 and more than one million cases have been confirmed, Republicans will not stop in pursuit of their goal of overturning the Affordable Care Act and taking away coverage from millions of Americans."

Ohio Dems Stand with Science and Protecting Ohioans

This week Ohio House Democrats stood united against legislation that would limit the ability of Ohio's Health Director Dr. Amy Acton to protect public health during the coronavirus outbreak.

"Lawmakers were called back to Columbus this week not to discuss paid family leave or to address child care concerns," said Ohio House Democratic Leader Emilia Sykes. "We didn't hear any testimony on bills related to expanding broadband access or protecting workers in the workplace. As everyday Ohioans struggle to pay their overdue bills at the beginning of yet another month in quarantine, we didn't move quickly to ensure they could stay in their homes or keep their utilities connected. No, Republicans brought us back only to hamstring the state's health director during a public health crisis. This is disgraceful abuse of power and unnecessary use of government bureaucracy to slow down a process that will always need to be swift."

• Monday, May 11 -- Meet the Candidates: Betsy Rader & Tom Jackson with Sen. Sandra Williams and Sen. Nickie J. Antonio
• Tuesday, May 12 -- Virtual Town Hall with Sen. Sandra Williams
• Wednesday, May 13 -- Supporting Our Hometown Heroes Zoom Discussion with Joel Newby for Congress
• Saturday, May 16 -- Ohio Young Democrats Convention
• Saturday, May 16 -- 11th Annual Cuyahoga Democratic Women's Caucus Virtual Brunch and Conversation with U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge and Mayor Nan Whaley
• Wednesday, May 20 -- Westside Democratic Club May Club Meeting
• Wednesday, May 20 -- Virtual Screening of RIGGED: The Voter Suppression Playbook