HB 290

The hidden role of a religious lobbying group in Ohio’s education ‘backpack bill’

BY: - August 24, 2022

An Ohio bill that would send public education money to private schools if a student chooses to attend one was written with help from religious lobbying group the Center for Christian Virtue and a think tank that promotes charter schools. Ohio House Bill 290 — colloquially referred to as the “Backpack Bill” — would allow […]

COMMENTARY

HB 290: A backpack full of empty promises

BY: - May 25, 2021

By Kathleen Knight Abowitz and Joel Malin, Miami University The Ohio House is presently considering HB 290, with the euphemistic title, “The Backpack Bill,” sponsored by Riordan McClain and Marilyn John with the appeal that it’s “time to fund students, not schools.” HB 290 would allow families “to choose the option for all computed funding […]