June 27, 2023

NEWSLETTER: State of Trans at the Ohio Statehouse

Hello Allies,

FIRST: THE BOYCOTT

TransOhio and Trans Allies of Ohio have released a PRESS STATEMENT calling for members of the transgender community and allies to BOYCOTT all further hearings on harmful anti-trans bills. This past month the community has been abused and dismissed by the GOP-controlled committees, and their presence made zero difference in whether or not bills wer voted through. At present, we suggest that testimony on bills to be sent directly to each representative in order to preserve mental health and well-being while we consider alternative ways to make our voices heard.

TransOhio will make a determination this fall whether or not to continue the boycott.

See the PRESS RELEASE below. (attached)

SECOND: SUMMER RECESS REGROUP

The General Assembly will recess during the months of July and August. 

The LGBTQ community, in general, takes a well-deserved break from political advocacy between PRIDE and September. Many allies will also take a step back to recharge.

For allies who have the emotional reserves to prepare for fall. If HB 68, HB 8, HB 183, and other anti-trans bills are not voted out of the Assembly and to the Governor’s office before recess, they WILL be back this fall, and we will need to bring new leverage to prevent their passage. 

If you are interested in planning ACTION for the fall, please fill out this FORM.

THIRD: BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS AND POWER GRABS

WHY IS THE BUDGET BAD FOR MARGINALIZED GROUPS?

Because it will shift control of our education system to the GOP controlled Governor’s office and Senate (as opposed to being helmed by a democratically elected Board) and define concepts like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as “controversial topics.”  (Meaning – public support for Ohio’s trans community will be considered “controversial”).

Our partners at Honesty for Ohio Education are working non-stop to understand the constantly changing provisions of this 9000+ page BUDGET.

The budget should delineate how state money is spent. Republicans are using state money to bribe and/or coerce huge regulatory and structural changes in state government to further blur the lines between each branch of government and education. 

What we have, my friends, is–ONE PARTY TO RULE THEM ALL. 

If the budget passes as is (and Issue 1 passes), the OHIO GOP will control:

Governor’s office

Secretary of State (elections)

Attorney General (enforcement)

Legislature

Courts (including interpretation of our State Constitution)

Ohio’s entire education system (hello propaganda machine)

…and will greatly weaken the ability for Ohio Citizens to amend our Consititution to keep their power in check.

CHECK OUT HONESTY FOR OHIO EDUCATION’S RESOURCE on this weeks’ insanity:

STATE BUDGET & EDUCATION

The 2024-2025 Biennial State Operating Budget was referred to the Conference Committee and heard by committee members this week on June 22 (watch HERE). Committee members are tasked with reconciling recently adopted versions of the House and Senate budgets and providing a final budget for approval to Governor DeWine by June 30, 2023. Governor DeWine can pass or veto or line-item veto the final budget. Read a detailed comparison of the House and Senate budgets HERE.

Among many harmful, regressive provisions included in the Senate budget, versions of SB 1, SB 11,  SB 83, SB 117, and significant hits to the Fair School Funding Plan were also included. More about these bills below, the Fair School Funding Plan HERE, and the Senate Budget impact on public education HERE.

ACT NOW to urge Ohio legislators to reject the harmful provisions in the Senate budget and prioritize fully-funded, honest, inclusive public schools that serve ALL families across Ohio!


Some Harmful Ed Provisions in Senate Budget:

SB 1 – State Takeover of Public Education
State takeover of public education; shifts oversight of State Board of Education and Dept of Education to the governor; strips significant roles and duties from State Board and state superintendent Learn More

SB 11 – Universal Public Funding of Private Schools
Expands public funding of private education by expanding student eligibility for publicly funded school vouchers Learn More 

SB 83 – Higher Ed Destruction Act 
Senate Bill 83 (& House Bill 151) bans required DEI training, policies based on race and gender, partnerships with China, and employee strikes • Learn More

SB 117 – Partisan “Intellectual Diversity” Centers in
Higher Ed
Senate Bill 117 creates “intellectual diversity” centers at The Ohio State University and the University of Toledo College of Law. These multimillion-dollar taxpayer-funded centers will use “intellectual diversity” to teach conservative interpretations of the US Constitution and Western Civilization values. • Learn More 

State Budget Resources: 

• Impact of Senate Budget on Education 
• Overview of Senate FY 24-25 State Budget
• Detailed Comparison of the House and Senate State Budgets 
• Why Preserving the Integrity of the Ohio Fair School Funding Plan Should Be a Top Budget Priority, by Jan Resseger
• Ohio Senate’s ‘affordable’ education approach meant bolstering private school aid while hindering public schools, by Susan Kaeser

  TAKE ACTION  
Contact legislators NOW urging them to reject all harmful education provisions in the Senate Budget. 

1) CALL your Rep and Senator HERE

2) EMAIL your Rep and Senator HERE

3) Attend Fund Kids Not Cuts Statehouse Rally
Wed, June 28, 3:30pm, Rotunda, Ohio Statehouse REGISTER
 

PROTECT LGBTQ+ STUDENT RIGHTS & SAFETY

Both House Bill 8 and House Bill 68 were voted out the House this week and are headed to the Senate for committee assignments.

ACT NOW to stop these bills in their tracks (!) and protect the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ youth and communities across Ohio.

HB 8 – The Unsafe Students Act
House Bill 8 forces schools to out LGBTQ+ students to parents, regardless of harm or danger to student, and requires teachers to report the use of any “sexuality” content to parents and provide alternative material • Learn More

HB 68 – Gender Affirming Care Ban  
House Bill 68 bans gender-affirming healthcare for minors and bans transgender student-athletes from sports teams aligning with their gender identity • Learn More

  TAKE ACTION  

1) CONTACT OHIO SENATORS NOW
Tell Ohio Senators to REJECT HB 8 & HB 68 and STOP ENDANGERING LGBTQ+ YOUTH

• Call Senate Leaders HERE
• Call YOUR Senator HERE 

2) Support & Follow LGBTQ+ Organizations 
EqualityOhio, TransOhio, Kaleidoscope Youth Center,  LOVEBoldly,
Trans Allies of Ohio, Diversity Center of NEO, Equitas Health, Trevor Project, Human Rights Campaign, The Buckeye Flame, PFLAG CLE
 

Follow these bills and more on our Legislation Tracker 

STAY TUNED. As stated above, many of us will take the next month or two to rest and recharge, which they’ve earned and need desperately. I’ll be available and will post updates. If you have the energy, allies, please sign up using this form to prepare for Autumn.

Best, 

Jeanne Ogden

Executive Director

Trans Allies of Ohio

transalliesofohio@gmail.com