Innovation Ohio

What you need to know about Ohio Politics and Policy

Desiree Tims Honors MLK Jr. Day with Call to Action

Desiree Tims sits outside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Atlanta home.

COLUMBUS — Today, Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio, released the following statement commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a call to action for Ohioans:

“Today, as we commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it’s painful to know we are still fighting the same battles 50 years later.

“Some Republicans are using lies about Critical Race Theory to ban teachers from discussing ‘divisive concepts’ like racism, prejudice, and Dr. King’s teachings.

“Ohio’s Republican supermajority is trying to rig our district maps to drown out the votes of Black, brown, immigrant, and other diverse communities throughout our great state.

“On a national scale, politicians are quoting Dr. King on social media today, while refusing to pass a voting rights bill that would honor his legacy.

“Ohio Senator Rob Portman even marched in Selma with Congressman John Lewis in 2015, but now refuses to support Rep Lewis’ voting rights bill.

“Dr. King’s family has made clear that there can be ‘no celebration without legislation.’ Do not spend today reading MLK quotes posted by the followers of George Wallace’s ghost. Instead, take action to help us win this long standing battle.

We shall overcome.”

Desiree Tims Comments on Rittenhouse Verdict

Today, Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio, released the following statement after Kyle Rittenhouse was found not guilty on all counts related to three shootings and two deaths in Kenosha, WI:

“We are devastated by today’s decision, but not shocked. As the trial progressed, millions of Americans watched a biased judge and a broken system at work.

“As we try to wrap our minds around another murderer acquitted, we must turn our anger into action — working to elect judges and state legislators who will pass and enforce laws that treat all humans with respect.

“Today I’m thinking of the families who will lose sleep and maybe even hope due to this injustice within our legal system.

“But we cannot let this decision dictate our future. We will all pray with our feet until we can taste the justice our hearts desire.”

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.

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.”

Innovation Ohio Endorses Bills to Reform Ohio’s Cruel Cash Bail System

COLUMBUS — Today, Innovation Ohio (IO), Ohio’s progressive politics and policy hub, announced their official endorsement of two bipartisan bills to reform Ohio’s cash bail system: HB 315 and SB 182.

“Every day, thousands of Ohioans who have not been convicted of a crime sit in jail, simply because they can’t afford bail. They can’t work, pay bills, or take care of their kids. At the same time, rich Ohioans accused of the same crime get to pay to go home. These bills give us a real chance to finally fix Ohio’s cruel, racist, classist cash bail system,” said Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio.

Ohio’s current cash bail system too often has devastating, long-term impacts on Ohioans’ lives. In addition to the potential loss of their job, home, and children, studies show that individuals who cannot afford cash bail receive harsher punishments than those who can pay to go home. Bail reform will help ensure no one is treated differently under the law simply because of their financial status.

Bail reform not only saves lives, it saves money. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio performed a fiscal analysis and found that these bills would save Ohio $199 and $264 million every single year.

Bail reform would help address racial disparities in Ohio’s court system. Studies show that Black Ohioans spend far more time in jail pre-trial (before being convicted of any crime) than white Ohioans.

Bail reform is also incredibly popular. An astounding 77% of Ohioans believe individuals should receive a hearing in front of a judge to determine release options within 48 hours of arrest/detention.

Innovation Ohio encourages all Ohioans to testify (or submit written-only testimony) in support of these bills. The first opportunity to testify will be this Wednesday, June 16th, at 3:00 pm.

IO has created a how-to guide for submitting bail reform testimony to help make the process simple and accessible for the public.

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.”

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