Innovation Ohio

What you need to know about Ohio Politics and Policy

Ohio Lame Duck 2022

This week, the Ohio legislature begins its Lame Duck session.

In Ohio, Lame Duck occurs every two years between Election Day and December 31st, before the newly elected legislators are sworn in.

Any bill that hasn’t yet passed must be signed into law by the end of the year. Otherwise, the bill dies and must be reintroduced next term.

Ohio’s Republican Statehouse supermajority often tries to quietly pass their most controversial bills during Lame Duck.

Throughout this chaotic period, we’ll be tracking some of the most important legislation and sending out regular calls to action.

Make sure you’re following Innovation Ohio on social media as well:

We’ll need your help to fight for and against life-altering bills over the next several weeks.

Your calls, emails, tweets, and testimony matter. Your voice matters.

Toolkit — Lowering Costs for Ohioans

Folder full of graphics that you can download and share on social media!

President Biden’s Affordable Connectivity Program is providing reliable, affordable, broadband internet to Ohio families:

  • Many Ohioans can get $30 off broadband internet plans through Biden’s Affordable Connectivity Program.
  • The Biden Admin also negotiated with internet providers to get new plans that will make many Americans’ internet bills $0
  • Click here for Broadband graphics you can download and share!
  • Over 600,000 Ohio households are already benefiting from affordable, high-speed internet as a result of this program. But over 1.4 million Ohio households are eligible!

The Biden Admin is Increasing Your Social Security Check:

President Biden Lowered the Cost of Hearing Aids:

President Biden’s CHIPS Act is lowering costs for Ohio by:

  • Speeding up the production of computer chips, which will lower the cost of cars, computers, cell phones, home appliances, medical equipment, and more.
  • Making sure more products are built in America
  • Creating good-paying jobs in our state
  • Improving the supply chain, which will lower costs for your family
  • Click here for CHIPS Act graphics you can download and share!
  • VOTES:
    • Tim Ryan and Ohio’s Democratic House members voted FOR the CHIPS Act
    • Senators Sherrod Brown (D) and Rob Portman (R) voted FOR the CHIPS Act
    • Four of Ohio’s Republican House members (Davidson, Jordan, Latta, Wenstrup) voted NO. Why would they vote against Ohio?

President Biden’s Infrastructure Law is improving life in Ohio by:

  • Improving the supply chain, lowering costs for your family
  • Helping refill dangerous potholes in our roads
  • Providing resources to rebuild crumbling bridges
  • Providing access to broadband internet for all American families 
  • Lowering internet costs
  • Creating millions of good-paying jobs
  • Replacing old pipes and delivering clean drinking water to all families
  • Cleaning up brownfield sites and reclaiming abandoned mines
  • Click here for infrastructure law graphics you can download and share!
  • VOTES:
    • Tim Ryan and Ohio’s Democratic House members voted FOR the Infrastructure Law
    • Senators Sherrod Brown (D) and Rob Portman (R) voted FOR the Infrastructure Law
    • 11 of Ohio’s 12 Republican House members voted NO. Why would they vote against Ohio?

The Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act is lowering costs for Ohio:

  • CleanEnergy.gov — See how your family can save money through the Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act
  • Click here for Inflation Reduction Act graphics you can download and share!
  • VOTES:
    • Tim Ryan and Ohio’s Democratic House members voted FOR the Inflation Reduction Act
    • Senators Sherrod Brown (D) voted FOR the Inflation Reduction Act
    • All of Ohio’s Republican Congress members voted NO. Why would they vote against Ohio?

REMEMBER — Abortion Rights are an economic issue:

Make sure your community knows WHEN and HOW to vote:

  • Reminder: Election Day is Tuesday, November 8th!
  • Ohio Voter Guide (OhioVoterGuide.org) — Nonpartisan. Type your address to see the candidates on your ballot AND information about each candidate!
  • VoteOhio.gov— Official Ohio elections website. Explains the 3 ways to vote in Ohio.
  • Click here for voter information graphics you can download and share!

Stay Connected with Innovation Ohio:

Rural Ohio — 2022 Resources

Folder full of graphics that you can download and share on social media!

President Biden’s CHIPS Act is lowering costs for rural Ohio by:

  • Speeding up the production of computer chips, which will lower the cost of cars, computers, cell phones, home appliances, medical equipment, and more
  • Making sure more products are built in America
  • Creating good-paying jobs in our state
  • Improving the supply chain, which will lower costs for your family
  • Click here for CHIPS Act graphics you can download and share!
  • VOTES:
    • Tim Ryan and Ohio’s Democratic House members voted FOR the CHIPS Act
    • Senators Sherrod Brown (D) and Rob Portman (R) voted FOR the CHIPS Act
    • Four of Ohio’s Republican House members (Davidson, Jordan, Latta, Wenstrup) voted NO. Why would they vote against Ohio?

President Biden’s Infrastructure Law is improving life in rural Ohio by:

  • Improving the supply chain, lowering costs for your family
  • Helping refill dangerous potholes in our roads
  • Providing resources to rebuild crumbling bridges
  • Providing access to broadband internet for all American families 
  • Lowering internet costs
  • Creating millions of good-paying jobs
  • Replacing old pipes and delivering clean drinking water to all families
  • Cleaning up brownfield sites and reclaiming abandoned mines
  • Click here for infrastructure law graphics you can download and share!
  • VOTES:
    • Tim Ryan and Ohio’s Democratic House members voted FOR the Infrastructure Law
    • Senators Sherrod Brown (D) and Rob Portman (R) voted FOR the Infrastructure Law
    • 11 of Ohio’s 12 Republican House members voted NO. Why would they vote against Ohio?

President Biden’s Affordable Connectivity Program is providing reliable, affordable, broadband internet to rural Ohio:

  • Many Ohioans can get $30 off broadband internet plans through Biden’s Affordable Connectivity Program.
  • The Biden Admin also negotiated with internet providers to get new plans that will make many Americans’ internet bills $0
  • Click here for Broadband Internet graphics you can download and share!
  • Over 600,000 Ohio households are already benefiting from affordable, high-speed internet as a result of this program. But over 1.4 million Ohio households are eligible!

The Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act is lowering costs for rural Ohio:

President Biden Lowered the Cost of Hearing Aids:

The Biden Admin is Increasing Your Social Security Check:

Personal Freedoms:

Make sure your community knows WHEN and HOW to vote:

Additional Resources:

Stay Connected with Innovation Ohio:

Ohio Leaders Hold ‘Constituents Over Corporations’ Town Hall in Cincinnati

Despite repeated invitations, Congressman Chabot was a no-show to a recess event in his district

CINCINNATI — This week, Innovation Ohio (IO) joined local elected officials and SW Ohio residents for a Constituents Over Corporations town hall at the Woodward Theater in Cincinnati.

At this event, Ohioans celebrated the Democrats’ passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. This historic law will lower Americans’ healthcare and energy costs, lower the deficit, create jobs, and help our nation battle the effects of climate change.

“The Inflation Reduction Act is paid for by making sure billionaires pay their fair share…no one making under $400,000 per year will see their taxes go up. But they will see their costs go down,” said Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio.

Local leaders also named Republican Congress members who voted against the Inflation Reduction Act and several other recent bills, repeatedly choosing corporations over their constituents. Republican Congress members, including Steve Chabot and Brad Wenstrup in Ohio, have been enabling price gouging corporations — from Big Pharma to Big Oil.

“While my constituents are working extra jobs to make ends meet, corporate America is raking in more money than ever before…Republican politicians won’t do anything for working Americans because big corporations are lining their pockets,” said State Representative Jessica Miranda (D-Forest Park).

“Our people are hurting. Inflation is hurting them. But you get no answers from Congressional Republicans. They just want to complain. They say, ‘gas prices are too high. Inflation is too high.’ They don’t want to offer you solutions,” said Pavan Parikh, Hamilton County Clerk of Courts. “The Inflation Reduction Act offers actual solutions. It reduces medical costs. It actually encourages corporations to invest in their workers and not just line their pockets with stock buybacks.”

Despite multiple invitations, Congressman Steve Chabot refused to attend this town hall. A cardboard cutout of the congressman was therefore used to mark his empty chair during the event.

“It’s pretty unfortunate that Congressman Steve Chabot did not show up today to answer questions and be accountable to constituents. It’s interesting that he did show up to a parade recently to wave his hand at people, but then immediately got in a car and left,” noted State Representative Sedrick Denson (D-Cincinnati).

Event speakers included:

  • Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio (video)
  • State Senator Cecil Thomas, D-Avondale (video)
  • State Representative Jessica Miranda, D-Forest Park (video)
  • State Representative Sedrick Denson, D-Cincinnati (video)
  • Pavan Parikh, Hamilton County Clerk of Courts (video)
  • Victoria Parks, Cincinnati City Council Member (video)

About Innovation Ohio
Innovation Ohio is a diverse nonprofit organization working to improve everyday life for Ohio workers and families, create opportunities for all Ohioans, and strengthen Ohioan communities from the bottom up. Through polling, messaging campaigns, and coalition building, they are a catalyst for progressive policy and grassroots activity. Click here to support Innovation Ohio’s work.

About Unrig Our Economy
Unrig Our Economy is a national campaign to fix the rules of our economy to make it work for working people. We know that when the middle class does well, all of us do well — which is why we’re fighting on behalf of working Americans and holding corporations, their wealthy executives, and the politicians who enable them accountable. Learn more at UnRigOurEconomy.com or by contacting press@unrigoureconomy.com.

Desiree Tims Releases Statement After Ohio Republicans Call Child Rape Survivor a Liar

COLUMBUS — Today, Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio, released the following statement following the arrest of a man accused of raping and impregnating a 10 year-old Ohio child, who was forced to leave the state to receive abortion care. Ohio Republicans have spent the past several days claiming on national television that the story was false. 

“Ohio’s MAGA Republicans passed a deadly 6-week abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest. Then, when their actions forced a 10 year-old child to leave the state for abortion care, they called the child a liar.

“Today, they have no excuses left. It’s time for Mike DeWine, Dave Yost, and Ohio’s MAGA Republicans to own the truth: they passed a heartless law.

“One out of every five Ohio children does not know where their next meal is coming from. Over half a million Ohio children live in poverty. Instead of tackling issues like these, MAGA Republicans have been on national TV re-traumatizing a child rape survivor. We should all be ashamed of their actions.

“We will keep fighting every day to end these barbaric bans and restore Ohioans’ freedoms. Our families and children deserve so much better.”

Desiree Tims Speaks Out After Devastating West Virginia v. EPA Supreme Court Decision

COLUMBUS — Today, Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio, released the following statement after the conservative-controlled U.S. Supreme Court chose to gut the EPA’s authority to regulate carbon pollution in a broad-reaching decision:

“Today’s catastrophic U.S. Supreme Court ruling in West Virginia v. EPA will harm far more than our nation’s ability to battle climate change. It will kill good-paying union jobs, increase your family’s energy costs, and likely hinder basic government functions like ensuring clean drinking water and testing food quality.

“Every American will suffer because of an activist Court packed by MAGA Republicans.

“This Supreme Court decision means the EPA can no longer effectively regulate carbon pollution from power plants, a major source of America’s greenhouse gas emissions.

“This likely means fewer upgrades and repairs made to these plants, which means fewer jobs.

“It also means the air your children breathe will be less safe. And MAGA Republicans are to blame.

“This ruling will cost Americans in more ways than we yet understand. Clean water, food safety, product quality — all of that is made possible by government standards that industries must meet.

“Remove those standards, and we’re left hoping greedy private corporations will decide to do the right thing all on their own.

“We can’t look away. We must hold the extremist minority accountable for the devastation they continue to cause through the illegitimate Court majority they crafted.

“This year’s elections will determine the future of our nation.

“The true majority must reject dangerous, extremist policies with one, unified voice this November.”

Desiree Tims Condemns Supreme Court Decision to End Federal Abortion Protections, Ignore Decades of Precedent

COLUMBUS — Today, Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio, released the following statement condemning the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, effectively ending federal abortion protections:

“Today, the unthinkable occurred. The conservative-controlled U.S. Supreme Court ignored decades of precedent and overturned Roe v. Wade. They ended federal protection for abortion rights.

“Dozens of states — including Ohio — will likely now ban all abortion without any exemptions, including rape or incest.

“Ohio’s Republican supermajority will have the power to force its residents to give birth when they become pregnant.

“It’s hard to fathom the devastating impacts of this decision. That’s why this cannot be the end of our fight — it must be the beginning of a movement. We can and will right this deadly wrong together.

“For the time being, abortion remains LEGAL in Ohio. Most Americans and Ohioans support the basic human right to decide what happens to our own bodies.

“It’s time for the majority to speak with one voice that cannot be ignored. We must not allow an illegitimate minority to take away our personal freedoms.

“This catastrophic decision also highlights another truth: local and state elected officials hold our lives in their hands. Down ballot races have never been more important.

“We must vote in every single election, especially for state Supreme Court candidates. Ohio’s Supreme Court will likely now decide the future of abortion rights in our communities.

“Mark this year’s election date in your calendar: November 8, 2022. We will defend our rights from the ground up.

“I know many Ohioans are feeling fear and even defeat right now, but I want you to know there are people fighting with and for you. Democrats at all levels of government continue to fight for our rights, and we are deeply grateful for their work.

“We are angrier and more determined than we’ve ever been. We will never give up. Ohioans and Americans will stand together in the ongoing fight for our freedoms.”

Desiree Tims Condemns DeWine’s Repeated Failure to ‘Do Something’ About Gun Violence

Today, Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio, released the following statement condemning Governor Mike DeWine’s signature of HB 99, as well as his continued failure to address gun violence in Ohio: 

“Today, as Ohio’s deadly new permitless carry law goes into effect, Governor DeWine has further betrayed Ohio families by signing HB 99 into law.

“HB 99 — which will arm teachers and school staff with hardly any training — is going to have hugely detrimental effects on Ohio’s Black and Brown children.

“It will not make anyone safer. It will place our babies’ lives at greater risk, and Mike DeWine knows it.

“We all know the ‘good person with a gun’ argument is a myth told by the gun lobby to help them sell more guns. America just saw, by watching the devastation unfold in Uvalde, how such a flimsy argument fails in practice.

“Yet Mike DeWine and Ohio’s Republican supermajority ignored teachers, parents, and police to pass HB 99 and please their donors.

“This weekend, I stood with hundreds of neighbors and friends in Dayton to show solidarity with the national #MarchForOurLives rally.

“We’ve been asking Mike DeWine to #DoSomething about gun violence for years. He has repeatedly failed us and our families.

“Shame on Mike DeWine for once again choosing politics over people.

“Shame on him for choosing campaign donations over children’s lives.

“Ohioans will not forget.”

Ohioans Call Out Marathon, Other Corporations for Price Gouging Families

CINCINNATI — Today, Innovation Ohio gathered elected officials, partners, and community members in Cincinnati’s Summit Park to hold corporations like Marathon Petroleum accountable for price gouging Ohioans under the guise of inflation.

Watch the full press conference here.

“The issue of corporate greed is actually quite simple to understand. Gas prices have reached their highest levels since 2014. And while everyday Americans are paying the price, the billionaires who run the gas companies are lining their pockets with hundreds of millions of our hard earned dollars,” said State Representative Jessica Miranda (D-Forest Park).

Marathon Petroleum has a history of putting profits before people, going all the way back to when it jacked up gas prices in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Now, Marathon is using the aftermath of another tragedy to pad its pockets, posting more than double their expected profits last year and adding $5 billion in stock buybacks. Meanwhile, gas prices in Ohio have hit record highs multiple times in the past month, with some Ohioans paying over $5 per gallon.|

“We talk about inflation, and how high it is now, and whose fault it is. But the reality is that lots of money is going into the pockets of the same people who have created laws for years that only benefit them and not the hardworking people here in Ohio….follow the money,” said State Representative Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati).

On Unrig Our Economy’s National Corporate Greed Day of Action, Americans at events nationwide called out wealthy corporations that have made inflation worse by jacking up prices while lavishing executives with outsized compensation and rewarding their shareholders with buybacks and dividends. These events also shed light on the actions and votes that Republicans in Congress have taken that favor corporations over their constituents. 

“It’s time for Republicans to cross the aisle and work with Democrats to lower costs for Ohio families and Americans nationwide,” said Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio. “Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress have been battling high costs from every angle. House Democrats even passed a bill to punish corporate price gouging, but Senate Republicans are likely to block it. Who are those Republican politicians really working for? It certainly isn’t their constituents.”

Today’s demonstration featured a 12-foot inflatable ‘corporate fat cat’ protecting his money the way Marathon has hoarded profits at the expense of working people.

“I’m a suburban mom, and you know what we moms are really good at? Multi-tasking and getting stuff done…We solve the problem. This is the exact opposite of what we are seeing from Republicans right now. They are not offering solutions. Instead, they’re spending their time trying to confuse and scare us with disinformation and lies,” said Julie Womack, Cincinnati resident and Chief Organizing Officer for Red Wine and Blue.

Similar actions and events also took place in Bakersfield, CA; Houston, TX; Indianapolis, IN; Minneapolis, MN; Omaha, NE; Phoenix, AZ; Staten Island, NY; and Waterloo, IA.

Learn more about the National Corporate Greed Day of Action at UnRigOurEconomy.com or by contacting press@unrigoureconomy.com.

####

About Innovation Ohio
Innovation Ohio is a diverse nonprofit organization working to improve everyday life for Ohio workers and families, create opportunities for all Ohioans, and strengthen Ohioan communities from the bottom up. Through polling, messaging campaigns, and coalition building, they are a catalyst for progressive policy and grassroots activity.

About Unrig Our Economy
Unrig Our Economy is a national campaign to fix the rules of our economy to make it work for working people. We know that when the middle class does well, all of us do well — which is why we’re fighting on behalf of working Americans and holding corporations, their wealthy executives, and the politicians who enable them accountable.

Stay informed about key issues and bills.

Sign Up

We monitor Ohio politicians to help you hold them accountable.