Innovation Ohio

What you need to know about Ohio Politics and Policy

Why I’m Saying “NO” to SB83

By Lily Fergeson, Innovation Ohio Fellow

I recently graduated from The Ohio State University, attracted by their Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program and the Morrill Scholarship program. When deciding where to go to college, I researched several options based on location, major availability, campus atmosphere, student organizations, and more.

Out of the 16 colleges I applied, 15 had some form of women’s, gender, or sexuality studies programs. However, Ohio Senate Bill 83 and House Bill 151, also known as the “Enact Ohio Higher Education Enhancement Act,” seek to limit public colleges and universities in Ohio in many ways, including preventing faculty, staff, or students from being treated differently based on group identities such as race, gender, or sexuality. While this may seem like a positive step, the vague language could be used to eliminate programs like Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, scholarships based on identity, and student organizations focused on identity.

These bills would also significantly reduce state funding for public universities and colleges, making higher education less affordable and limiting opportunities for economic mobility. Furthermore, a governor-appointed CEO would oversee the operations of each institution, risking political interference and academic freedom. These bills could destroy the reasons why I and others came to Ohio’s public colleges and universities, preventing future students from coming to Ohio. In a recent poll of half a million college students, 61% said they tend to stay in the region where they graduated, so these bills could have long-term negative consequences for Ohio’s economy. 

My mom’s side of the family all lived in northwest Ohio for about 200 years before nearly all leaving in just the last 30. Clearly, something is going on. Something is happening that is preventing people from coming here and staying here, despite Governor DeWine’s money and efforts poured into getting people to live here. Aside from Columbus, Ohio’s population is shrinking. 

Perhaps we should take a look at what Ohio is getting wrong that is causing people to leave or not want to stay. I believe that if our lawmakers spent more time and money on efforts that we really want, rather than wasting time micromanaging our public colleges and universities, we could get more people not just to come here but to stay here and be happy to do so! Please join me in urging our representatives not to waste another minute or dime on SB 83 and HB 151.

In Solidarity,  
Lily Furgeson
Innovation OhioFellow

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.

Desiree Tims Condemns Ohio Representative’s Anti-Semitic Remarks

COLUMBUS — Today, Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio, released the following statement condemning State Representative Sarah Fowler Arthur’s disturbing comments about the Holocaust:

“Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur’s anti-Semitic remarks are both disgusting and dangerous. Her extreme views perpetuate some of the atrocities we are seeing on the news right now in places like Ukraine.

“People who hold these views do not belong in public office and should definitely not control our Ohio children’s curriculum.

“I call on the Ohio House to immediately and permanently stop HB 327 from moving forward.“

**Click here to send an email to Ohio legislators demanding that HB 327 be removed from all further consideration.**

Ohio Board of Education Members Forced to Resign for Opposing Racism

Today, Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio, released the following statement after two State Board of Education members were forced to resign for refusing to repeal an anti-racism resolution:

“Unfortunately, Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio’s Republican supermajority are failing Black and brown children in Ohio. They are forcing two members to leave Ohio’s State Board of Education, simply because they stood up against racism.

“Last year, Ohio’s State Board of Education passed a resolution condemning racism and acknowledging that Ohio could do more to address inequities in education. This month, far right radicals on the board repealed that resolution. Now the governor and Republicans are going even further — they’re forcing appointed board members who supported the anti-racist resolution to resign or face expulsion.

“This reeks of Jim Crow era policies that impacted Black and brown communities for generations. It’s clear that Governor DeWine is too weak to stand up to the extremists in his own party. We’ve seen him give in to the anti-mask, anti-vaccine crowd over the past few months. He has repeatedly chosen to place our children’s lives at risk rather than enforce basic safety measures. And now the zealots have convinced him to move to overt racism. 

“This assault on education is just one of many. Extremists are using lies about Critical Race Theory to ban discussions of American history and critical thinking skills in our classrooms. These attacks must be stopped at every level of government. And we must support people regardless of their party affiliation who stand up to racism and hate.

“It is vital that Ohioans are informed about local school board candidates and vote in local elections. We need to support candidates who value honesty in education. We need leaders who will stand up for all of Ohio’s children.”

Election Day is this coming Tuesday, November 2nd.

Ohioans can vote early (including this weekend!), or vote on Tuesday.

Don’t stay home this year. Every vote matters, and Ohio’s future depends on it.

Desiree Tims Condemns State Board of Education Vote to Repeal Anti-Racism Resolution

COLUMBUS — Today, Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio, released the following statement condemning Ohio’s State Board of Education for repealing a resolution condemning racism:

“Last year, as Ohioans marched in the streets to protest the murder of George Floyd, our State Board of Education passed a resolution condemning racism.

“Last night, hateful, bigoted board members repealed that resolution.

“I can’t believe I have to say this, but condemning racism should not be controversial. Teaching accurate history should not be controversial. But extremism has come for our state and local governments. 

“Far right radicals are using lies about Critical Race Theory as an excuse to ban honest, accurate, diverse school curriculum.

“And the same type of extremists are running for school boards all across Ohio. 

“It has never been more important to research your local school board candidates, and vote in local school board elections. Rally your friends and neighbors to support candidates who value honesty in education.

 “Election Day is November 2nd this year. You can vote early, or vote on November 2nd. But don’t skip your local elections this year. 

“Our children’s futures are at stake. We have to stop extremism in its tracks.“

Ohio politicians are trying to ban honesty in education. Help stop them.

Our kids deserve an honest, accurate, diverse education. 

Right now, Republican politicians are using lies about Critical Race Theory to ban schools from teaching an honest history. 

Two Ohio bills (HB 327 and HB 322) would essentially ban teachers from discussing racism, sexism, prejudice, gender studies, and other so-called “divisive concepts.” Even in college.

HB 322 and HB 327 are likely both receiving hearings at the Ohio Statehouse next week. Exact details TBA.

Want to testify against these bills? Or submit written-only testimony? Follow this simple process:

HOW TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY (in-person OR written-only):

  • 1. Email Dillon.Barto@Ohiohouse.gov. Ask to be placed on the “House State and Local Government Committee notice list.”
    • You’ll receive emails from the committee. You’ll know first when bill hearings are announced.
  • 3. Fill out a witness slip.
    • Make sure to note on your witness slip whether you are testifying in-person or written-only.
  • 4. When the committee announces the next hearings for these bills, email your testimony and your witness slip to Chair Scott Wiggam’s aide: Dillon.Barto@Ohiohouse.gov
    • Testimony is due 24 hours before the hearing begins.

If you’re submitting written-only testimony, that’s it! You’re done! You officially testified!
(We recommend sharing your testimony on social media so everyone can see it)

If you’re testifying in-person (recommended), see below.

  • 5. Arrive at the Statehouse before the committee is scheduled to begin.
    • Park either in the garage underneath the Statehouse or the Columbus Commons Parking Garage.
    • Note: you’ll need to go through a metal detector when you arrive.
    • You can ask the security guards to direct you to the committee room where your hearing is being held.
  • 6. Bring a printed copy of your testimony with you to read in front of the committee (you do not have to read your testimony word for word).
  • 7. You may also want to bring copies to hand to reporters – You can contact reporters ahead of time to let them know you (and your group) will be testifying!

—TESTIMONY TEMPLATE—

Chairman Wiggam, Vice Chair John, Ranking Member Kelly, and members of the House State and Local Government Committee,

Thank you for allowing me to testify today. My name is ________. I am [basic bio about yourself]. I am strongly opposed to House bills HB 322 and HB 327, which would prevent Ohio students from receiving an honest, accurate education.

Today I'm going to speak speaking specifically about [Choose either HB 322 or HB 327].

[Then tell them why the bill is so bad! Make it short and sweet - a few paragraphs is perfect. Tell a personal story. Or explain why your job experience gives you perspective on the bill. Maybe cite statistics or articles from other states to back up your claims]

I ask you to consider my testimony and vote NO on this [harmful / dangerous / devastating / etc.] bill. Thank you again for the opportunity to testify.

[IF TESTIFYING IN PERSON] I will now take any questions you may have.

AFTER YOU ARE FINISHED SPEAKING, legislators may ask you questions.

  • They are more likely to ask questions if you provide data/statistics or present yourself as having professional experience related to the bill.
  • This part of the process can be incredibly persuasive! But be prepared to back up your testimony!

Questions? Email Rachel Coyle: Coyle@InnovationOhio.org

Innovation Ohio Condemns Bills to Ban Schools from Teaching “Divisive Concepts”

Today, Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio, released the following statement condemning two dangerous, broad-reaching bills (HB 327 and HB 322) that would ban Ohio schools and colleges from teaching “divisive concepts.”

“Republicans in Ohio’s Statehouse want you to believe that an academic concept — taught primarily in law schools and other institutions of higher learning — is a greater threat to our children’s education than systemic racism.

“More than a year into a global pandemic that has ravaged communities of color, we know this isn’t true. Unfortunately, Ohio Republicans don’t seem to care.

“Vaguely written and extremely broad, recent Republican-sponsored bills targeting K-12 and college curriculum are merely part of the far-right’s attack on Critical Race Theory (CRT) -— or rather the false narrative they have used to define it.

“CRT has been developed by Black legal scholars like Derrick Bell and Kimberlé Crenshaw over the past 40 years, and is responsible for concepts such as intersectionality and systemic racism. It is an important tool for those seeking to not only identify but solve problems of racial injustice in this country.

“However, CRT is rarely, if ever, taught in K-12 classrooms. So why are Ohio Republicans wasting their time trying to ban it?

“There are strikingly similar bills in Statehouses across the country, because national extremist groups are feeding them to Republican politicians. These out-of-state lobbyists are trying to control our children’s education; they don’t want our kids to think critically about the world around them and develop the skills to improve it.

“Republican attacks on our children’s right to a quality education coincide with their efforts to suppress voting rights and the right to peacefully protest. All out of new tricks, they serve as proof that when you fail to learn from history, you are bound to repeat it.

“But those of us eager to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion as a way of life can’t afford to repeat a history defined by oppression and hate — our children’s education will determine whether we do.

“Now more than ever, it is crucial that Ohio children receive an honest education — one that exposes rather than hides our state and nation’s tragic yet triumphant history. They deserve to learn about Ohio’s own Carl Stokes, the first Black mayor of a major American city. Yet they also deserve to know why no major American city elected a Black mayor until 1967.

“We must bravely acknowledge the role that systemic racism has played in our past and present, and empower our children to think critically about how they can uproot it. As Republicans seek to ban CRT, it is clear the time is ripe to do the opposite, and allow its many lessons to positively influence the next generation.

“We as Ohioans (and Americans) have confronted so much history together, but there is still so much to learn and work to do. Republicans’ pathetic attacks on K-12 and higher education must be stopped; our collective future depends on it.”

Juneteenth is officially a national holiday. It’s also a call to action.

Today, Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio, released the following statement celebrating Juneteenth, which will now be recognized as an official national holiday:

“Today, thanks to President Biden, America finally celebrates Juneteenth as an official national holiday. This could not be happening at a better time. It’s more important than ever to teach Americans the truth about our history.

“Right now, states like Ohio are trying to ban schools and universities from teaching concepts related to race, racism, sexism, and prejudice. 

“Instead of fixing discriminatory policies built into our laws, state Republican majorities want to make sure your children never learn these problems exist. We must stop these bills to prevent history from repeating itself. All children deserve an honest, accurate education.

“Juneteenth (which merges the words ‘June’ and ‘nineteenth’) provides the perfect example. On June 19th, 1865, enslaved Black Americans in Texas finally learned they were free. This was months after the Civil War had ended, and years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

“Juneteenth symbolizes the end of the horror of slavery, which came far later than textbooks tend to show. We can’t simply teach our children names and dates. They also deserve to understand the reality of our history.

“Marking June 19th as a federal holiday will help future generations understand its importance — but we must also work to overcome generations of damage inflicted on our communities. 

“Decades of systemic racism have made it harder for families of color to rise above poverty and pursue the American dream. This often means we’re more at risk when disasters, like the COVID pandemic, strike unexpectedly.

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan is doing an incredible job supporting Black and brown Americans as we rebuild post COVID. It provides housing and rental assistance to keep families in their homes, money for child care, nutrition aid to put food directly on Ohioans’ tables, and much more. But it will take time to undo the larger causes that placed some Americans at a disadvantage.

“More than anything, we cannot allow ourselves to be taken backward. We’re fighting to ensure Black history can be taught in classrooms, but we also need to defend our Constitutional freedoms. It’s time for elected officials to stand up for voting rights and protest rights, and to reform policing from the ground up.

“On this first official Juneteenth, we honor our past, and acknowledge all the work still left to do.”

At The Statehouse: Lawmakers Look To Grant Business Immunity

Both chambers are working on legislation to limit the ability for businesses to be sued for liability during the COVID pandemic emergency. A Senate committee will hold a third hearing and vote on that chamber’s version of the bill (SB308) while the House plans two hearings this week to consider the House Bill (HB606). 

Lawmakers last week introduced new legislation (SB311) to rescind current health emergency orders and limit the power of the Director to enact new orders. 
The House and Senate have session scheduled for Wednesday with an additional meeting of the House penciled in for Thursday if necessary.

New Legislation This Week

Several new bills were introduced last week that we will be monitoring. You can also view the complete list of bills we’re tracking.

  • House Bill 633 (Boggs) – Workers Compensation – To make COVID-19 contracted by specified types of employees an occupational disease under the Workers’ Compensation Law under certain circumstances and to declare an emergency.
  • House Bill 634 (Denson, Upchurch) – Marijuana – To allow for the cultivation and possession of marijuana, to modify possession and cultivation penalties, and to allow for the expungement of certain marijuana convictions.
  • House Concurring Resolution 27 (Russo) – Health Insurance – To urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to immediately issue a special enrollment period through HealthCare.gov for uninsured Ohioans who may be unable to access COVID-19 testing and treatment.
  • Senate Bill 311 (McColley, Roegner) – Health Orders – To rescind certain orders of the Director of Health regarding COVID-19, to require the approval of the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review for Department of Health orders to be effective for more than fourteen days, to require statewide Department of Health orders to include the Governor’s signature, to modify the Department’s rulemaking authority, to allow in-person high school graduation ceremonies, and to declare an emergency.

Statehouse Meetings and Events

Tuesday, May 12

Wednesday, May 13

  • 9 am – House Civil Justice – 4th hearing (all testimony, possible amendments, and substitute) on HB606 (Civil Immunity). Statehouse Room 116 (overflow in 114). Watch online at ohiochannel.org.
  • 9:15 am – Senate Judiciary – 3rd hearing (all testimony, possible amendments, and vote) on SB308 (Civil Immunity). Senate South Hearing Room. Watch online at ohiochannel.org.
  • 11 am – Senate Rules and Reference – meeting to set agenda for May 20 Senate session. Senate Majority Conference Room. No broadcast.
  • 11:45 am – House Rules and Reference – meeting to set agenda for May 21 House session. Statehouse Room 017 (overflow in Room 018). No broadcast.
  • 1 pm – House Session – agenda TBD. Watch online at ohiochannel.org.
  • 1:30 pm – Ohio Senate – agenda TBD. Watch online at ohiochannel.org.
  • 2 pm – Gov. DeWine Briefing on COVID-19 – Watch online at ohiochannel.org.
  • 3 pm – Senate Local Government – 2nd hearing (all testimony, possible amendments & vote) on HB242 (Plastic Bag Ordinances). Senate South Hearing Room. Watch online at ohiochannel.org

Thursday, May 14

  • 1 pm – House Session – agenda TBD. Watch online at ohiochannel.org.
  • 2 pm – Gov. DeWine Briefing on COVID-19 – Watch online at ohiochannel.org.

Friday, May 15

  • 2 pm – Gov. DeWine Briefing on COVID-19 – Watch online at ohiochannel.org.

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