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EdChoice debate: Opponents of district-funded vouchers say formula is the problem, not schools
An Ohio legislative committee adjourned without making a decision on changes to the state’s private school voucher program, but not before hearing about 50 hours of testimony over the course of a week. The testimony came from schools districts and students from all reaches of the state, and included pleas to keep the EdChoice program […]
EdChoice debate: Private schools a beneficial option, students and administrators say
Students and parents from Ohio’s private schools stayed up past their bedtimes in some cases to put their two cents in about the state private school voucher program’s fate. At conference committee hearings to decide on one particular proposal for EdChoice, private school advocates argued the workforce waiting for their students and the competitive nature […]
Planned Parenthood: Telemedicine bill takes healthcare away from underserved Ohioans
Leaders of Ohio’s Planned Parenthoods say a bill to limit abortion-related telemedicine is not only unconstitutional, but cuts off access to safe health care for Ohioans who need it most. Senate Bill 260 is set for a hearing and possible vote on Wednesday, to prevent the use of telemedicine as a way to prescribe and […]
Rape survivors: Statute of limitations keeps us from justice
Closure takes time. Survivors of rape sometimes need more time than Ohio law gives them. That was the agreement of the women who came forward to implore an Ohio Senate committee to support the elimination of a statute of limitations on rape. Anna Cunningham spoke for herself, her daughter, and her son, who both experienced […]
‘Serves no purpose in the function of the law:’ Prosecutors, researchers come out against rape statute of limitations
Supporters of an Ohio bill to eliminate the statute of limitations for rape included prosecutors, researchers and members of rape crisis centers from across the state. Former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann and the Medina County and Cuyahoga County prosecutors say eliminating the 25-year statute of limitations will help prosecutors bring justice and help victims […]
Abortion opponents: Telemedicine too risky for women
Abortion opponents were in agreement on Wednesday that the woman’s safety should be the focus of care in Ohio abortion cases. Advocates spoke in support of a bill that would ban telemedicine as a way to receive abortion-related medicine, in particular the chemical abortion drugs mifepristone and misopristol. Dr. Lindsay Rerko told the Health, Human […]
Conservatives announce coalition to eliminate death penalty
Conservative leadership in the Ohio House joined advocates in announcing a new effort to eliminate the death penalty in the state. The Ohio chapter of Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty, in conjunction with Ohioans to Stop Executions, met at the Statehouse on Tuesday to announce plans to lift support in the legislature and in […]
Manufacturing in Midwest purple states has seen ups and downs on Trump’s watch
In 2016, Donald Trump ran on “bringing back” manufacturing jobs to Rust Belt states like Ohio, which was one factor in his surprise wins in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania (and less surprising victory in neighboring Ohio). “The heart of the [economic] slowdown has really been in manufacturing. The global manufacturing sector is in a recession […]
Potential Ohio bills target transgender medicine, pornography, and conversion therapy
Several bills regarding sex and gender issues are being considered in the Ohio legislature, including a bill to prohibit transition-related medicine for transgender youth, a bill to make pornography a public health hazard, and one that aims to cease conversion therapy. Transgender-related medicine A bill still being drafted by state Rep. Ron Hood, R-Ashville, and […]
Paid family and medical leave supporters say statewide program good for business, employees
The effect of a lack of paid family leave on small businesses and women of color were significant issues brought up in the second hearing on a bill to provide a statewide leave program. A small businessowner and mother argued that paid family and medical leave made good business sense, but wasn’t always affordable for […]
Second conference committee to be formed on EdChoice issues
The Ohio Senate rejected a House overhaul of the state’s private school voucher program Wednesday, sending yet another bill related to EdChoice to a conference committee. Senate Bill 89 was up for consideration at the Senate’s session Wednesday night, but several senators spoke out against the amendments made, ultimately voting down the emergency clause of […]
Supporters: Student religious liberty bill protects all students
Supporters of a bill to further “clarify” students’ rights to exercise their faith said Tuesday that the bill is a protection for those of any faith or no faith at all. House Bill 164 has been under scrutiny since it was introduced, and the criticism by education officials and the ACLU continued after it was […]