Yesterday, a terrible public records/policing provision was snuck into HB 315, the final bill passed by Ohio legislators before this legislative session ended. Because it was snuck in, that means there were zero hearings, testimony, etc. against it or about this. 1/7 This language allows (but does not require) Ohio law enforcement to charge people up to $75/hr, and up to $750 total, for the retrieval, redacting, uploading, producing, etc. of video records. Of course, this includes body cam & dash cam videos. 2/7

Yesterday, the Ohio Senate GOP introduced SR 339, a toxic resolution mixing xenophobia with terrible public policy. It encourages the fed govt to exclude non-US citizens from the census count. This presents numerous problems, all easy to forecast. 1/10 One of the most obvious is it totally erases people here 100% legally who are not citizens or not yet citizens. All kinds of people come to Ohio for jobs & education, among other reasons. But SR 339 sends a clear message - go home, you are not wanted here. 2/10

Earlier today, the Ohio Senate unveiled its gutting of Issue 2 (marijuana). They plan on voting it out of committee & the full Senate this week. Here is more info about what happened today & how you can make your voice heard (even when they do not want to hear from you). 1/11 Before today, HB 86 was a bill about liquor laws. The Senate is using it as the vehicle for Issue 2 changes. HB 86 is currently before the Senate General Govt Committee, chaired by Sen. Rulli(R). The changes are extensive, torching Issue 2 in a variety of ways. 2/11

More info & thoughts about how HB 33, the budget bill, torches Ohio's public records laws to avoid government scrutiny & accountability: 1/14
dispatch.com/story/news/pol… Proposed by Gov. DeWine & left untouched by the House & Senate versions of the budget bill (HB 33), is language that radically expands exemptions to Ohio's public records laws.

It impacts all, regardless of politics or ideology. 2/14

This is a good list but SB 83 would also do radically more to campuses, students, and administration. The bill is being sold as protecting speech & intellectual diversity. The reality is quite different. SB 83's sweep is quite astounding.
1/25(!)
dispatch.com/story/news/pol… SB 83 utilizes broad language framed as providing equality to students & preventing discrimination. It mandates colleges "not treat, advantage, disadvantage, or segregate" students, staff or faculty by "membership in groups" defined by various "characteristics."
2/25

4 reasons why improving the initiated statute process while weakening the citizen-led ballot initiative process is unacceptable =
1/5 1) Trust. Or lack thereof. With an initiated statute, the OGA can & will change what they do not like because the process changes state law, not the Constitution. This thwarts purposes of whatever campaign/effort is in play.
2/5

Last minute, Ohio lame duck shenanigans = It appears The Theocracy is hijacking HB 105, a bipartisan, non-controversial sex assault education in schools bill, to advance their radical anti-choice agenda.
1/9 A potential amendment is circulating to forbid basically anyone "connected in ANY way" with abortion from providing ANY type of sexual assault education to K-12 public school students. By design, this applies to hospitals, doctors, assault survivor advocates, etc.
2/9

Tomorrow (Feb 16), HB 109 will be passed by the House. This bill is the House GOP's answer to protests across Ohio in Summer 2020. HB 109 is also easily the worst bill re: free speech I have seen in the OGA. This is why:
1/13 While supporters swear HB 109 is aimed only at vandalism or violence, it outlaws all kinds of protected First Amendment activities with its broad & vague language. When unsure what speech the Govt "permits" or does not, many stop speaking. That is the goal of HB 109.
2/13