Rep. Sykes Hosts Hundreds of Constituents for Community Conversation in Akron
WATCH: Rep. Sykes Highlights Community Conversation, Ohio-13 Priorities on The Last Word
AKRON, OH — In Case You Missed It, Yesterday, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) held a Community Conversation with special guest State Senator Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) at Second Baptist Church in Akron. During this Community Conversation, Rep. Sykes discussed her work to lower everyday costs and support Medicaid while also fielding questions and hearing directly from constituents of Ohio’s 13th Congressional District. Both lawmakers provided updates on the federal and state budget processes, respectively.
“I was honored to meet with constituents from all corners of Ohio’s 13th Congressional District who came to the Community Conversation to make their voices heard. I have vowed from day one to bring my constituents with me to Washington, and that is only possible when I hear directly from dedicated community members. What I heard at the Community Conversation is that my constituents are not happy with the federal government,” said. Rep. Sykes. “Many are scared that they will be laid off or lose access to invaluable federal resources. From working to lower costs for working people and families, to protecting hard-earned benefits, I’m committed to doing everything I can to make life better for people in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.”
Rep. Sykes outlined updates on the federal budget, including the House Republicans’ continuing resolution that was signed into law last week. The bill is bad for Ohio’s 13th Congressional District because it takes away resources from hardworking families. It forces evictions on more than 32,000 households, jeopardizes social security, slashes funds for roads and bridges, guts support to veterans who return home with chronic illness, and takes food away from children.
She also discussed the importance of protecting Medicaid, which is important for our community, because our largest employer, healthcare systems, rely on Medicaid payments. Seniors, the disabled, pregnant mothers, and children also rely on Medicaid to cover healthcare expenses.
Rep. Sykes highlighted her work to lower costs, including her Lower Your Taxes Act, legislation she introduced to keep more hard-earned money in constituents’ pockets by reducing the amount of taxes owed when completing an annual tax filing. The Lower Your Taxes Act would make several improvements to the Earned Income Tax Credit and restore the American Rescue Plan’s Child Tax Credit expansion, which will make a significant difference for families paying for medicine, necessary essentials, school supplies, and other childcare expenses.
“With all the challenges we’ve faced in recent months, it’s incredibly encouraging to see so many members of our community actively engaging with their representatives,” said Senator Weinstein. “This level of involvement is essential to ensuring that our decisions truly reflect the needs of our community. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Sykes for hosting this important event, and I appreciate everyone who took the time to join us. As we continue to move forward, it’s just as important to celebrate the small victories along the way, like helping Ohioans spend less on their energy bills and ensuring Ohio’s children have the right to hear. These successes remind us of the impact we can have when we advocate for the issues that impact us all, and I remain committed to advocating for the best interests of our district.”