Innovation Ohio

What you need to know about Ohio Politics and Policy

Statehouse Preview for Oct 30, 2023: Higher Ed Reform Back In Play

It’s Official: The Legislature In Back In Session

it’s another slow week at the statehouse with both chambers out of session, but we have several committee hearings to watch in our wrap-up below.

One development we’re watching closely is movement on SB83, a so-called Higher Education “reform” bill that, when originally proposed early in 2023, would block unionized campus employees from striking during a labor dispute. The bill also prohibits many courses and diversity programs that focus on the study of gender or race. Negotiations are ongoing between the House and Senate on a compromise version that may include changes such as excluding non-faculty staff from a strike ban. A hearing is currently scheduled for Wednesday morning in the House Higher Education committee with the introduction of a substitute bill possible. 

Below are all the new bills and events around the Statehouse we’re watching this week.

New Legislation This Week

No new bills were introduced last week that we are adding to our tracker. You can always view the full list of the bills we are monitoring here.

Statehouse Meetings & Events

Tuesday

10:30am – House State & Local Government – 1st hearing (sponsor testimony) on HB271 (Election Ballots). Statehouse Room 119 or watch online.

11:00am – House Transportation – 3rd hearing (opponent testimony) on HR198 (Electric Vehicles) and HB279 (school bus safety restraints). Statehouse Room 017 or watch online.

2:30pm – House Government Oversight – 3rd hearing (opponen testimony) on HB272 (Concealed Handguns). Statehouse Room 114 or watch online.

Wednesday

10:30am – House Public Health Policy – 1st hearing (sponsor testimony) on HJR4 (Face Masks). Statehouse Room 121 or watch online. 

10:30am – House Higher Education – 2nd hearing (sponsor testimony & possible substitute) on SB83 (Higher Education Reform). Statehouse Room 017 or watch online.

Because schedules change, every weekday morning activities are planned at the Statehouse, we post an update on Twitter. Follow the #OHLeg hashtag for more updates.
Full House Committee ScheduleFull Senate Committee ScheduleFull Ohio Channel Broadcast Schedule
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Political power-grab advances in Ohio House/Senate

Despite public outcry, GOP advances HJR1/SJR2 to floor vote

COLUMBUS — Today, Desiree Tims, President/CEO of Innovation Ohio condemned House Joint Resolution 1 (HJR1) and Senate Joint Resolution 2 (SJR2), proposed constitutional amendments that increases the passage thresholds of new amendments to 60% of the vote, up from a simple majority.  

“HJR1/SJR2 are blatant political power-grabs by special interests and corrupt politicians, which seeks to undermine our democracy and silence the voice of the people”, said Desiree Tims. “We stood with Ohioans from every corner of the state to stand up and provide opposition testimony to these bills. Today, our voices were cut short, cast-aside, and ignored. This is not how democracy is supposed to work,” said Desiree Tims. “It has become clear that the only supporters of these bills are out-of-state special interests and corrupt politicians.”

Innovation Ohio is one of 225 organizations that have signed on to oppose these bills. This united coalition represents millions of everyday Ohioans who do not want their vote diminished.

“These proposed amendments would shred our Constitution as we know it, end majority rule in Ohio, and take away our right to decide what happens here by undermining the sacred principle of ‘one person, one vote,” said Desiree Tims. 

If these amendments are passed, they will undermine majority rule and give a small number of voters (just 40%) the power to block initiatives that a majority of Ohio voters support. Ohioans need to protect our freedom to determine our own future.

We call on Speaker Stephens to not advance HJR1/SJR2.

Defend the right to vote in Ohio. Stop HB 458

Ohioans across the political spectrum agree: every eligible citizen should be able to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

House Bill 458 is the opposite of what Ohioans want.

If HB 458 becomes law:

  • Voters will lose access to drop boxes. Boards of Election will be limited to a single drop box location, which is open during business hours only, and can only be used during the early voting period.
  • Voters will lose the freedom to register to vote and/or vote with an alternate form of ID, such as a utility bill, government document, or paycheck.
  • Most voters will lose the freedom to vote provisionally with the last four digits of their social security number.
  • Voters will be punished by slow mail delivery. Absentee ballots will be thrown out if they are not received by the end of Election Day. This even applies to overseas and military voters.
  • Voters will be forced to provide a strict photo ID to vote, whether voting by absentee ballot, or in person on Election Day, or provisionally.
  • Most August special elections will be eliminated, which harms our local school districts.

This bill is a clear and direct attack on millions of people’s voting rights. 


HB 458 is destructive and completely unnecessary. A solution looking for a problem. It only hurts Ohioans’ ability to participate in their democracy.

Elected officials should be making voting easier for all eligible voters, not harder.

Help stop this devastating bill. Contact these state officials. Remind them Ohio is watching.

HJR6 – Ohio’s Latest Anti-Voter Proposal Would Make It Harder To Pass Ballot Amendments

A new fast-moving proposal at the Statehouse would create a huge new barrier for Ohioans to amend the constitution when Government leaders fail to enact the people’s wishes.

HJR6 Would Make It Harder To Amend Ohio's Constitution

What is HJR6?

House Joint Resolution 6 (HJR6) would make it significantly harder to pass citizen-initiated constitutional amendments by increasing the number of votes a proposal must get. Today a proposed ballot amendment needs a simple 50% majority, but under HJR6 that would change to 60%.

Since 1912, Ohio has had a initiative process in place through which citizens can propose constitutional amendments by collecting signatures of eligible voters, and, if they are supported by a majority ofvoters, they become part of the state constitution. HJR6 would radically disrupt that, silencing the voices of all but the most well-funded special interests, significantly undermining possible future efforts to amend Ohio’s constitution to protect workers’ rights, abortion rights, voting rights and other priorities ignored by elected officials. Over 140 organizations have signed a letter opposing its passage.

What happens next?

The bill in on the fast-track, as evidenced by its rapid-fire introduction, committee assignment, hearing schedule and amendments. The first opportunity for public testimony is scheduled for today, with the bill set to be voted out of committee first thing tomorrow:

House Government Oversight Committee (member list)
– 3pm Wednesday, December 7 (all testimony) – Statehouse Room 121, webcast
– 9am Thursday, December 8 (“10 proponent & 10 opponent witnesses only” and possible vote) – Statehouse Room 121, webcast

If passed by three-fifths of the legislature, the proposal will appear on a May 2, 2023 special election ballot. It is not subject to a veto of the Governor. If supported by voters, it would take effect 30 days after the election.

What You Can Do

With only two weeks left in the Lame Duck session (after which HJR6 and all other pending bills become void if not enacted), there is simply not enough time to properly consider such a radical departure from citizen democracy. We encourage voters to contact their lawmaker or testify in committee against HJR6.

Take Action: Tell Your Lawmaker To Oppose HJR6

Support People over Politicians — Stop Ohio HJR 6

For over 100 years, Ohioans have had the right to gather hundreds of thousands of signatures, place a constitutional amendment on the ballot, and pass it into law. That’s the power of the people.

But now, two Ohio politicians are trying to take this right away.

While you and your family prepare for the holidays, Secretary of State Frank LaRose and State Rep Brian Stewart are trying to pass HJR 6.

Under HJR 6, Ohioans who gather signatures and place an amendment on the ballot would need to win a supermajority (60%) of statewide votes for their amendment to become law.

That means just 41% of voters could block what the majority of voters want. Ohio would be run by minority rule.

We believe the people of Ohio should have the final say, not lobbyists and politicians. If you agree, take action to help stop this attack on your freedoms.

1.) Testify in-person against HJR 6. Click here for info on how to testify in-person.

2.) Submit written-only testimony against HJR 6. Click here for info on how to submit written-only testimony.

3.) Tell these officials to respect your right to pass citizen-led ballot initiatives. DO NOT LET HJR 6 pass:

  • Email key Ohio legislators
  • Call House Government Oversight Committee Chair Shane Wilkin: 614-466-3506
  • Call House Speaker Bob Cupp: 614-466-9624
  • Call Senate President Matt Huffman: 614-466-7584

Every action you take helps defend Ohioans’ freedoms.

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 Responds to Governor’s SOTS Address

COLUMBUS — Today, Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio, released a video statement responding to Governor DeWine’s State of the State address. The full statement is copied below:

“My name is Desiree Tims, and I’m the President & CEO of Innovation Ohio. This afternoon, Governor Mike DeWine gave his ‘State of the State’ address. I want to take a few minutes to talk about the REAL state of our state.

“We have an opportunity to make Ohio a comeback state, but first we need leaders who will advance progressive policies that help working families. Unfortunately, Ohio is controlled by Republican extremists and the governor has caved to his party to our detriment.

“I was disappointed to see how many times the governor took credit for things that Joe Biden and Democrats like Sherrod Brown, Joyce Beatty, and Tim Ryan accomplished for our state.

“There are also several major issues that the governor failed to mention.

“Instead of working for all Ohioans, Governor DeWine and Ohio’s Republican supermajority passed tax giveaways for the rich. This gift resulted in the wealthiest 1% of Ohioans receiving an extra $50,000 per year. 

“All while your electric bills go up, housing remains unaffordable, and healthcare workers have yet to receive hazard pay.

“Governor DeWine also failed to mention his Republican Party’s racist attacks. Right now, his party is trying to rewrite history by banning American history books and arresting peaceful protesters fighting for civil rights.

“They demonstrate Republican extremism at its worst.

“Mike DeWine and his party even defied Ohio law by failing to draw legal maps. Meaning, right now, Ohioans have no idea who they will be voting for or what district they will be voting in. This Republican mess has cost Ohio taxpayers millions of dollars. 

“It’s important for Ohioans to know the REAL state of our state — so we can work together to make things better.

“Ohio workers and families deserve the best. It will take all of us together to move our state forward.

“Sign up at InnovationOhio.org to join the fight.”

Republicans Introduce Bill to Ban ALL Abortions, Send Vigilante Bounty Hunters After Pregnant Ohioans

COLUMBUS — Today, Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio, condemned a deadly new bill (House Bill 480), which would ban all abortions and likely some emergency contraceptives in Ohio.

The bill would also define life as beginning “at fertilization.”

“This bill is grotesque and inhumane. The impact of a government mandated pregnancy is a threat to democracy, freedom, and quality of life for people who are pregnant. It’s unfortunate that a few lawmakers with an extremist agenda are obsessed with policing reproductive rights,” said Desiree Tims.

The bill as written creates a financial incentive for bounty hunters to seek legal action against doctors, medical professionals, and anyone who helps another Ohioan access abortion care.

It is essentially a license to hunt people during a personal and vulnerable moment in their lives. This financial incentive would disrupt the very nature and importance of the professionalization of the medical field.

“This bill is a recipe for anti-choice zealots to create witch hunts out of Ohio’s judicial system. They could take anyone they even suspected of participation in an abortion to court. The legal fees, public record, and usurpation of reproductive rights will cause personal harm. Every line of this bill is shameful,” continued Desiree Tims.

Reproductive rights organizations also note that by redefining “person” under Ohio law to include fertilized eggs, HB 480 would harm a wide range of Ohioans.

  • It could limit access to in-vitro fertilization for Ohio couples who want to start their own families.
  • It could prevent pregnant people with cancer from accessing life-saving medical treatment, due to risks to a fertilized egg.
  • It could lead to legal investigations into people who experience miscarriages.
  • It would be a significant invasion of privacy, and could be used to further over-police people of color and low-income individuals.

HB 480 was introduced by Republicans Jena Powell and Thomas Hall. It has over 30 Republican cosponsors and is the most extreme abortion bill in the United States to date.

Ohio Republican legislators have also introduced an abortion “trigger ban” in the Senate. Senate Bill 123 would immediately ban all abortions in Ohio if the United States Supreme Court ever overturns Roe Vs Wade.

Email your Ohio legislator today. Tell them to kill HB 480 — the Abortion Bounty Hunter bill.

Innovation Ohio Urges Gov. DeWine to Veto Dangerous Budget Items

Today, Innovation Ohio, Ohio’s leading progressive politics and policy advocacy organization, urged Governor Mike DeWine to line item veto the most harmful lines still remaining in Ohio’s operating budget bill.

“We’re grateful that minority party members were able to negotiate some deeply troubling items out of the budget, but the Republican supermajority refused to remove additional provisions from the bill that will weaken our democracy here in Ohio,” said Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio. 

“Ohioans need Governor DeWine to veto the most extreme budget bill provisions.”

Innovation Ohio is asking Governor DeWine to veto several of the budget bill’s most damaging provisions, including:

  • A provision prohibiting election officials from working with or accepting grants from nongovernmental entities (likely including barbershops, bars, church groups, sports programs such as the Cavs, even the League of Women Voters) on voting or voter education
  • A provision allowing ONLY Republicans to intervene in lawsuits — specifically redistricting lawsuits
  • A provision abolishing the Citizen’s Education Fund, which uses donations for voter education, registration programs, & improving election facilities
  • A provision allowing medical professionals to refuse to treat anyone if it violates their “moral or religious” beliefs
  • And several additional items of concern to Ohioans

“Without Governor DeWine’s vetoes, this budget bill will devastate our ability to register and educate voters in all future elections. It will let doctors refuse to treat essentially any patient they don’t like. It could close several of our few remaining abortion providers. And it will take vital resources from our children by expanding charter schools and vouchers,” continued Tims.

TAKE ACTION: Innovation Ohio urges Ohioans to contact Governor DeWine today and tomorrow (Tuesday and Wednesday) to urge him to veto these troubling budget items.

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