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After U.S. Supreme Court decision, Ohio Fairness Act still awaiting hearings
A piece of Ohio House legislation on sexual orientation discrimination is sitting idle in a committee, even after the nation’s highest court said LGBTQ+ people can’t be fired because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that LGBTQ individuals are protected from job discrimination by the Civil Rights […]
Ohio unemployment down, still remains in double digits
Ohio’s unemployment numbers decreased last month, with employment increasing mainly in goods-producing industries and the private service-providing sector. But unemployment remained in the double-digits. The state’s unemployment rate in May was 13.7%, down from 17.6% in April, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Wage increases in non-agricultural employment was up 127,100 […]
Ohio Supreme Court: Sexual conduct law ‘ambiguous’ on repeat-offender charges
Ohio Supreme Court justices last week ruled in favor of a Montgomery County man’s argument that he couldn’t be charged as a repeat offender in a sex-crime case because of a previous crime discovered after he was convicted. Gerald Pendergrass was convicted of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in September 2016, and the next […]
Ohio senator seeks removal of slavery exception from Ohio Constitution
An Ohio senator says he will be introducing a resolution to remove an existing piece of the Ohio Constitution that allows slavery as punishment for a crime. State Sen. Cecil Thomas, D-Avondale, did not give a timeline for the introduction of the resolution, but announced his intention on Juneteenth, which commemorates June 19, 1865, when […]
Mayors pledge police reform, racial inequity efforts
Mayors from across Ohio said they are already implementing plans to address racial bias and increase police relations in their cities. The Ohio Mayors Alliance said a Police Reform Support Network will be formed to take recommendations on changes to police and community efforts, and “focus on turning these ideas into action by supporting policy […]
Legislature considering lowering standards for armed teachers despite failed history of legislation
A piece of legislation that would reduce the amount of training needed to arm teachers in schools has a long history of similar attempts and varied interpretations of Ohio law. Senate Bill 317 is currently sitting in the Government Oversight and Reform committee, the chair of which, state Sen. Bill Coley, is the bill’s sponsor. […]
House lawmakers leave racism resolution on the table
A resolution declaring racism a public health crisis did not receive a hearing before the Ohio House of Representatives left for their summer break. The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus announced the measure at the beginning of the month, and it was referred to the House’s State and Local Government Committee on June 3. The bill […]
Legislator: If schools don’t open this fall, “real chaos” will ensue
In arguing that schools should be able to reopen on their own terms in the fall, a Republican legislator said the state health director shouldn’t be a part of that decision. State Sen. Matt Huffman, R-Lima, introduced a bill to the Senate Education Committee that would give authority to local school districts — public, private […]
Woman disqualified in cross country for wearing hijab asks for religious expression legislation
Noor Abukaram was 16 when she became fearful of the consequences of her hijab at her cross country meets. After running a personal best in a hijab designed by Nike meant to be used during sports, Sylvania resident Abukaram found out she had been disqualified because of what was considered a uniform violation. Her mother […]
Student religious liberty bill passes Senate, heads back to House with COVID-19 amendments
Update 6/11/20 The Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 164 with all the amendments added in the Senate. A bill originally introduced to expand student religious expression in schools was unanimously passed Wednesday by the Ohio Senate with numerous COVID-19-related amendments impacting schools next fall. The bill was considered twice this week in the Senate […]
Hundreds support Ohio Senate public health crisis declaration on racism
A state Senate committee heard hours of testimony Tuesday supporting the declaration of racism as a public health crisis. Cosponsors Sen. Sandra Williams, D-Cleveland; and Sen. Hearcel Craig, D-Columbus, said declaring the public health crisis is a necessary first step in turning back the laws and policies that have pushed down people of color for […]
House Dems release police reform plans
As supporters await a hearing on an Ohio House measure to declare racism a public health crisis Tuesday, Democrats released potential legislation targeted at police brutality. The legislation is still being considered, but could include a move to demilitarize the police by prohibiting state police departments from using the federal 1099 program to obtain surplus […]