COLUMBUS — Today, the Equal Districts Coalition — a unified group of several prominent Ohio advocacy organizations engaged in the 2021 redistricting fight — announced strong opposition to Senate President Matt Huffman’s proposal to give Statehouse leaders complete power to unilaterally determine Ohio’s redistricting schedule, creating the potential to cut back on public engagement opportunities.
“Ohioans voted twice, with powerful majorities, to make our redistricting process more open, accessible, and fair. The people demanded to play a key role in drawing district lines,” said Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio. “Ohio must respect the voters’ wishes and maintain a redistricting timeline that allows everyone’s voice to be heard.”
President Huffman’s proposed constitutional amendment would allow Ohio’s legislature to change redistricting deadlines anytime Census data is delayed. Because the legislature is currently dominated by a supermajority of Republican members, this would likely create scenarios where one party has unilateral control over redistricting deadlines. This stands in direct opposition to the intent of the ballot reform measures that Ohio’s voters overwhelmingly passed in 2015 and 2018.
“No matter where we’re from or what we look like, our votes should count. We cannot allow selfish politicians to take electoral power away from the people. That’s exactly the problem Ohioans were attempting to solve with these new redistricting laws,” said Prentiss Haney, Co-Executive Director of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative. “Gerrymandering has allowed certain politicians to rig district maps and election outcomes for far too long, diluting the power of Black and brown voters. We cannot condone any proposal that would take Ohio back in that direction.”
Ohio has known for well over two months that the state will receive its redistricting data by September 30, 2021. While this presents some challenges connected to meeting Ohio’s constitutionally-mandated redistricting deadlines, it does not change the fact that voters overwhelmingly demanded these new deadlines — and the related timeline — in two recent elections.
“When a bipartisan group of legislators and advocates came to the negotiation tables in 2015 and 2018, everyone agreed about the essential nature of ensuring a fair redistricting process. Missed deadlines, even those caused in part by the global pandemic, cannot and should not be used as an excuse to resurrect the political games of the past,” said Heather Taylor-Miesle, Executive Director of the Ohio Environmental Council. “We call on Ohio lawmakers to follow through on Ohio voters’ decisive mandate to end partisan gerrymandering and to ensure a thorough and transparent redistricting process.”
The census delay is absolutely not an excuse to cut corners in terms of how transparent or how inclusive the redistricting process is. “To best mitigate the impacts of the delay, we need to preserve as much of the existent redistricting process as possible – with an emphasis on maintaining ample opportunities for public engagement. As it stands, however, Senate President Huffman’s proposal is a complete non-starter,” said Katy Shanahan, Ohio State Director of All On The Line.
The Equal Districts Coalition includes the Ohio State Conference of the NAACP, Ohio Organizing Collaborative, the Ohio Environmental Council, Innovation Ohio, the Ohio Student Association, ProgressOhio, All On the Line-Ohio, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, Ohio Council of Churches, NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, URGE – Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity, LEAD Ohio, the Ohio Women’s Alliance, and more.
Desiree Tims Mourns Death of Ma’Khia Bryant, Calls for Meaningful Police Reform
COLUMBUS — Today, Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio, released the following statement mourning the death of 16 year-old Ma’Khia Bryant and renewing her call for police reform:
“It has been a week. Together, we have witnessed the deaths of too many Black Americans at the hands of police. Last week, it was Ma’Khia Bryant, who was just 16 years old. I continue praying for Ma’Khia’s family as the community comes together to mend our broken hearts. We can and must reimagine policing in America so bullets aren’t the first course of action.
“We hear this story way too often in city after city, state after state. Too many Americans are killed by police. And it hurts even more when it’s a child. We need accountability and justice for bad actors, but we also need to reimagine policing to prioritize de-escalation and community-based solutions. Lethal force must be an absolute last resort, not the first instinct.
“This is why we must come together and urge Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. I hope you will join me in asking Ohio’s congressional delegation to support this bill. It’s one of many innovative solutions that will help save lives. After all, our children’s futures depend on it.
“Take a moment today to think of Ma’Khia Bryant, her family, and the action we can take to do something bold.”
Learn about the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
Innovation Ohio President/CEO Desiree Tims continues to urge Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to reimagine and reform policing in America.
Learn more about this crucial bill here.
Then contact your US Congress member and tell them to pass HR 7120 now. American lives depend on it.
Desiree Tims Applauds Chauvin Verdict, Calls for Meaningful Police Reform
COLUMBUS — Today, Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio, released the following statement applauding the guilty verdict for former police officer Derek Chauvin in the 2020 murder of George Floyd. Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts.
“There is no verdict that could restore George Floyd’s life, but I’m relieved that his family will at least see his murderer brought to justice. Hopefully this will bring some peace to all who loved Mr. Floyd.
“Today must be the beginning, not the end, of the conversation around police reform. Too many unarmed Black men and women have died at the hands of law enforcement — cell phone videos make it impossible to ignore this reality.
“Holding bad actors accountable is only step one. We also need to address the causes of these preventable deaths, and implement meaningful changes to prevent them. We can start by passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act through Congress. Let’s get to work.”
Equal Districts Coalition: Don’t Shortchange Ohioans By Gutting Redistricting Process
Delays in Census data are no excuse for limiting robust, transparent map-drawing process that leads to fair maps
Today, a new coalition of Ohio organizations announced their opposition to any attempts to shorten or minimize opportunities for the public to weigh-in on the redistricting process. The Equal Districts Coalition includes the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, the Ohio State Conference of the NAACP, the Ohio Environmental Council, Innovation Ohio, the Ohio Student Association, ProgressOhio, All On the Line-Ohio, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, Ohio Council of Churches, NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, URGE – Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity, LEAD Ohio, and the Ohio Women’s Alliance.
This coalition strongly opposes any attempt to use the delay in the Census data to limit the redistricting process. Such a change would be a direct contradiction of the will of the Ohio voters who overwhelmingly passed redistricting reform in 2015 and 2018.
“We have all had to make adjustments during this pandemic to ensure our families and communities have what they need,” said Innovation Ohio President Desiree Tims. “It is important that Ohio elected officials step up to the challenge and not cut corners when it comes to making sure that every person counts in our democracy.”
Yesterday, a federal judge dismissed Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s lawsuit that attempted to force the US Census Bureau to send incomplete redistricting data to the states. From the start, Ohio’s lawsuit has been a misguided attempt to cut corners at the expense of Ohio voters – the US Census Bureau needs as much time as necessary to ensure that the 2020 Census count is complete and that the redistricting data is as accurate as possible.
“Our priority is to protect the public’s ability to participate in how the maps are drawn and how their communities will be represented. For the last decade, Ohioans have been denied any real political representation because of our gerrymandered districts,” said Tom Roberts, President of the Ohio State Conference of the NAACP. “In 2015 and 2018, we came together to demand a redistricting process centered around injecting the people’s voice into how our districts are drawn. We will not negotiate away our ability to engage in a robust, transparent redistricting process that gives us fair, representative maps as a result.”
We now know – like we have known for the last month – that Ohio will receive its redistricting data by September 30, 2021. This certainly presents some challenges for the state given our constitutionally-mandated deadlines by when new maps are due. What the delay underscores, however, is that Ohio’s elected leaders need to begin the necessary work to prepare for redistricting immediately.
“There is no time to waste in preparing for the monumental task of redrawing our district boundaries for the next decade and ensuring every Ohioan can have an equal voice in the process,” said All On The Line Ohio State Director Katy Shanahan. “The delay in census data delivery is not an excuse to cut out any opportunity for members of the public to engage in the redistricting process or for there to be any less transparency in how the maps are drawn.”
Biden’s Visit — Statement from Desiree Tims
With President Biden visiting Columbus later today, we wanted to share a few thoughts about the groundbreaking American Rescue Package.
The American Rescue Package will help us build back better. Money in your pocket and a shot in your arm – it’s that simple. The American Rescue Package is the first step towards rebuilding after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ARP will help keep food on the table and keep struggling families out of poverty. Most Ohioans will receive $1,400 under the rescue plan, plus additional funds for children. This is exactly what Ohio families need. Some estimates show that the ARP will cut child poverty in Ohio in half.
The American rescue package will provide massive support for our local communities. The ARP will give local governments in Ohio $4.6 billion to help pay for first responders, public health professionals, and vital city services. It will also provide $5.5 billion to the state of Ohio.
The ARP will keep health costs down and help reopen schools. The American Rescue Plan’s investments in healthcare and schools will help Ohio families afford quality healthcare and safely get our kids back to school – in person.
President Biden’s visit shows how important Ohio still is politically. With all the important elections in 2022, including the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races, it’s no surprise that President Biden would come to Ohio this early. It’s another reminder that Ohio isn’t a red state, it’s a rigged state. Over the next two years, we have an incredible opportunity to rebuild progressive power in Ohio!
I hope you’ll help spread the word!
In solidarity,
Desiree Tims
Innovation Ohio CEO
The Work Continues — Statement from Desiree Tims
Today kicks off the start of Women’s History Month. This month is dedicated to commemorating and celebrating the role women have played in shaping American history.
From activists calling for bold action, to artists and athletes influencing culture, to elected officials advancing pro-women policy, women have long been at the forefront of movements for social change. But this recognition of the women who have paved the way in history must extend beyond the month of March.
At Innovation Ohio, we recognize the unprecedented moment we are in right now to advance real, systemic change for the lives of women. Here’s a look at some of the work Innovation Ohio and our program, the Women’s Public Policy Network, have been leading in the fight for gender equity:
- Building a movement for paid family and medical leave in Ohio to ensure no one is forced to choose between caring for a loved one and earning a paycheck.
- Urging our state leaders to center the needs of women in the state’s COVID-19 response as women, particularly Black and Latina women, continue to bear the brunt of the pandemic.
- Fighting for a state budget that invests in, supports, and prioritizes women and their families, which will strengthen our communities, build a more equitable future, and create opportunities for all Ohioans.
The women throughout our country’s history have brought us to where we are today, but it will be on all of us to continue to move the needle forward for change. We hope you will join us in this fight!
In Solidarity,
Desiree Tims
Innovation Ohio CEO