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More than 200 people submit opponent testimony against bill to limit health care for LGBTQ youth
A handful of parents of transgender children spoke out against a controversial bill that would limit health care for LGBTQ+ youth. They were among the more than 200 people who submitted opponent testimony against House Bill 68 — also known as the Save Adolescents from Experimentation Act (SAFE Act) — Wednesday morning to the House […]
Bill to create universal health care coverage in Ohio re-introduced in House
A pair of Democrats recently re-introduced a bill that would give universal health care coverage to all Ohioans. State Reps. Michael J. Skindell, D- Lakewood, and state Rep. Michele Grim, D-Toledo, introduced House Bill 174 last week which would establish and operate the Ohio Health Care Plan. The bill has 18 democrats co-sponsors. Under HB […]
Ohio preschool enrollment and spending goes up, but still ranks low in national study
Despite preschool enrollment and state spending for programs increasing, Ohio ranked low in a new early childhood education report released last Thursday. Ohio ranked 36th in enrollment at age 4 (10%) and 27th at enrollment at age 3 (2%), according to Rutgers University’s National Institute for Early Education Research. “Ohio leaders must address this ongoing […]
Ohio Senate passes massive higher education overhaul bill, House version hears opponent testimony
The Ohio Senate passed a massive higher education bill that would significantly alter college campuses. Wednesday’s 21-10 vote comes a week after changes and clarification were made to Senate Bill 83, which was introduced by state Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland in March. SB 83 now moves to the House for committee consideration. Republican state Sen. […]
Senate bill would create ‘intellectual diversity’ centers at Ohio State and the University of Toledo
A Senate bill is trying to create new centers at Ohio State University and the University of Toledo that expand and affirm “intellectual diversity.” Senate Bill 117 — introduced earlier this month by Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, and Sen. Rob McColley, R-Napoleon — would create the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society […]
New versions of identical higher education bills makes changes and adds clarifications
New versions of the identical, massive higher education bills were adopted last week, but the ban on prohibiting university staff and employees from striking remains. Senate Bill 83 was first introduced in March by state Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, and has since drawn significant backlash from students and university staff. House Bill 151 was introduced […]
“God doesn’t want people to be hungry;” advocates ask Ohio Senate for more funding for foodbanks
Advocates focused on ending hunger in Ohio gathered at the Statehouse Thursday for the Praying for our Daily Bread Faith Leaders luncheon to discuss solutions in the state’s proposed operating budget. The Ohio Association of Foodbanks would be funded $39,550,000 a year, as distributed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services under the House’s […]
Ohio House’s version of budget cuts back on proposed funding to science of reading
The science of reading remains in Ohio’s proposed operating budget, but the House cut back on the amount of money that would be allocated toward funding the implementation. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s budget — which was introduced earlier this year — included $64 million for science of reading curricula, $43 million each year for the […]
House committee passes bill banning trans athletes from Ohio women’s sports, talks higher ed bill
The controversial bill that would prevent trans athletes from participating in Ohio women’s sports and youth athletics passed by a 8-6 vote in the Higher Education Committee on Wednesday morning. All five Democrats on the committee and state Rep. Gayle Manning, R- North Ridgeville, voted against the bill. State Rep. Jena Powell, R-Arcanum, introduced House […]
ODE programming officer tapped to head agency as state board searches for permanent leader
The chief programming officer at the Ohio Department of Education has been appointed the next interim state superintendent of public instruction. Chris Woolard was one of two candidates recommended by ODE’s outgoing interim superintendent of public instruction, Dr. Stephanie Siddens, who is leaving to become Upper Arlington City Schools’ deputy superintendent. Woolard’s first day as […]
Ohio takes part in National Day Without Childcare, advocates call for more funding
Some Ohio child care providers closed for the day or shut down early on Monday as families across the country took part in National Day Without Child Care. Child care providers, advocates and parents voiced their desires for more child care funding in the state budget and better wages for providers on Monday morning in […]
Google is building two more data centers in central Ohio
Google is adding two new data centers in Columbus and Lancaster, bringing the tech company’s total investment in Ohio to more than $2 billion. This will bring Ohio’s total to three Google data centers, joining the one in New Albany that broke ground in 2019. “This is great news,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said. “Google making […]