Happy Sunshine Week! Tonight I'll be helping Ohioans understand their rights regarding Ohio's public records laws. Plus, recent/ongoing threats & developments reducing your access by politicians to government information, data, etc. Join us via the link found below!
Yes, some people do abuse public records laws. But HB 314 will majorly impact investigations into such things as police shootings, financial fraud, environmental problems, personnel issues & much, much more. HB 314 simply goes way too far. 4/4
HB 314 also allows govt entities to hire private third parties to process requests & charge those costs to the requester. So, govt info, data, etc. that was once free would now costs hundreds or thousands of dollars. 3/4
One thing HB 314 does is allow govt offices to drag someone to court if their requests are considered vexatious & meant to “disrupt” or “harrass” that govt office. Courts can then limit or reject requests, including future requests. 2/4
Today, I’m testifying vs HB 314, a bill to further restrict your access to public records. It continues the trend of hostility from the Statehouse (& courts) towards your right to know how your govt operates & the decisions it makes. 1/4
Tomorrow is a hearing for HB 347, a bill for a 24-hr wait period before abortions. Except Ohio ALREADY has a 24-hr wait period law, enjoined by our lawsuit following passage of the Reproductive Freedom Amdt. These politicians have no answers re: actual problems so they do this.
Your occasional reminder these victories are possible because Ohioans voted to say politicians & theocrats need to mind their own business.
Drug possession remains the #1 reason a person enters Ohio's prison system, severely overcrowded for decades. Stories like this are the natural result of a state legislature addicted to the thoroughly failed War on Drugs.
www.daytondailynews.com/local/150-fe...
The Ten Commandments are not the Ten Helpful Hints. They are religious commandments adherents are compelled to obey. And some Ohio politicians want to force those beliefs on everyone else, even students & families of different faiths, or none at all.
www.cleveland.com/news/2026/02...
This morning I will be testifying vs. SB 87, the bill to define "antisemitism" re: Ohio's anti-discrimination & other laws. Antisemitism is clearly wrong. But the answer should not = outlawing numerous types of speech people understandably find offensive.
This morning, SB 87 is on the move with a proponent hearing. SB 87 is a free speech nightmare masquerading as combatting antisemitism. It is so ridiculously over the top it makes it a violation of Ohio's anti-discrimination laws to criticize Israel. For any reason whatsoever.
As with redistricting reform & cannabis laws, Statehouse GOP politicians care 0% what we approved. Their energy is directed at explicitly & implicitly scrapping what the majority of Ohioans voted for & want.
www.cleveland.com/open/2026/02...
In a few minutes, I'll be on Cinci's @wvxu.org ("Cincinnati Edition") discussing local govt & law enforcement use of surveillance technologies. A regular reminder - this tech is increasingly widespread throughout Ohio & with almost no local or state laws regulating its use.
MASS INCARCERATION FAILURE
The majority of people in this jail are there pre-trial. Many/most are legally free to go if their bond is paid. But they can't afford it. We keep people in cages, at great cost(s), simply because they have no money. #bailreform
www.ideastream.org/law-justice/...
Following up on mention the other day of ICE-related bills at the Ohio Statehouse. Here is more about HB 26, HB 200 & SB 172. Among other provisions, these are all bills that would force local & state law enforcement to cooperate with ICE to enforce immigration law.
FYI - There are currently 3 GOP bills in Ohio to force cities & counties to cooperate w/ICE - HB 26, HB 200 & SB 172. The latter two include requirements to hold some immigrants in jail for ICE...even after they are otherwise legally free to go.
Easily the #1 reason - for the past 11-12 years - a person lands in an Ohio prison is for Drug Possession. Our prison system has been over capacity for DECADES. Yet, state legislators keep passing more & more bills to pack our prisons even fuller.
www.daytondailynews.com/local/ohio-p...
The other 364 days, the majority of Ohio politicians at the Statehouse undermine & stomp all over MLK’s vision. Today, they will shamelessly celebrate his life & accomplishments while deliberately burying MLK’s spicier takes.
Missing from this coverage is any mention of the First Amendment. Its protections wisely protect public school students from being compelled, via state law, school policy, etc., to recite the Pledge. Because forced “patriotism”
is the opposite of freedom.
www.dispatch.com/story/news/e...
The same Ohio GOP legislators who catch the vapors if you dare suggest the state does not do enough re: addiction, ODs, etc. will offer zero private or public pushback on this latest of deliberately cruel developments. Prepare to pay for more pri$on$.
www.npr.org/2026/01/14/n...
FYI - A back door way the Statehouse is GOP is screwing with legal cannabis in Ohio. Via HB 88, if you possess ANY amount of cannabis & do not know it is mixed with ANY amount of fentanyl, you will be prosecuted under MUCH harsher fentanyl penalties, also increased via HB 88.
The same politicians who buried their heads in the sand re: actual scandals (FirstEnergy, etc) have instead turned their attention towards local daycares because of baseless allegations stoked by conspiratorial social media personalities. #anotherdayinOH
www.dispatch.com/story/news/l...
HB 338, a bill to increase penalties for assaults vs prison staff, also includes various provisions to unwisely end or limit rehabilitative efforts for many serving time. Legislators forget (or don't care) almost all who go to prison eventually leave.
www.daytondailynews.com/local/hundre...
While I generally agree with the goals of HB 609 regarding local govt public meetings, it's quite telling the General Assembly is NOT included in these mandates. Especially with so many recent & ongoing examples of deliberately shutting out the public.
www.cleveland.com/open/2025/12...
Many legislators love to cite other states doing things worse than Ohio as a reason we should change our own laws to make things worse here. Funny how that same logic *never* emerges re: making things better when other states do things better.
#ThatDogDontHunt
As I'm never fond of pointing out - these folks do not care what you think, they actively find ways to limit your participation and feedback re: legislation, and every elections bill they move is designed to keep more & more people from voting. It's 100% politics, not policy.
3/3
1) The hearing notice was sent very late today, leaving 4.5 business hours to prep & submit testimony.
2) Bills that move typically have at least 3 hearings. The House GOP is instead ramming it through in a single hearing
3) In person testimony is limited to 180 seconds.
2/3
SB 293, the controversial bill requiring absentee ballots to be returned no later than Election Day night, has been quickly scheduled Tuesday for its first House committee hearing - with a planned vote that SAME HEARING! The significance =
1/3
Today, I'm testifying vs HB 338, a bill responding to the killing of a prison guard last year. However, it contains many provisions eliminating rehabilitative efforts in Ohio prisons. Per usual, data, discussion, etc. on these changes is MIA among legislators considering HB 338.
After being passed by committee this morning, SB 293 is on the Senate floor today for a vote. Floor speeches will be supporters gaslighting about statistically non-existent voter fraud & how a single court decision not binding on Ohio makes SB 293 necessary.
