Stay engaged, involved, and up-to-date: 10/09/17 Week in Review
Monday, October 16th, 2017
Stay engaged, involved, and up-to-date: In the weekly reviews from the Women’s Public Policy Network, we look back on last week’s highlights from the WPPN, share updates on bills affecting women that are moving at the Statehouse, showcase weekly news clips, and provide calls to action on bills pending in the Legislature. Sign up for our emails to receive these updates in your inbox every week!
The Ohio House Ways & Means Committee held a second hearing this past week on HB61, to exempt tampons and other feminine hygiene products from the state sales tax. This bill would be an important step forward in removing a needless financial burden from the shoulders of Ohio women.
We were proud to have our Managing Director, Erin Ryan, testify on behalf of the Women’s Public Policy Network in support of HB61. With her testimony, she gave a voice to the women we represent across the state who would benefit from passage of this legislation. Read our full testimony here.
In the 2018-2019 state budget passed earlier this year, the legislature included a requirement for the state’s Controlling Board to approve the release of funds to pay for Ohio’s Medicaid program. If the Controlling Board fails to approve these funds, it would prevent Ohio’s Medicaid program from being able to pay health care providers.
As a result, more than 3 million Ohioans – including pregnant women, nursing home residents, and those battling addiction – would be at risk of losing access to their health insurance coverage in just a matter of months. The vote by the Ohio Controlling Board is expected to take place on Monday, October 30th.
Stay tuned for more updates. For now, you can take action by calling your state representative today and urging them to protect Ohio’s Medicaid program. Find your representative and how to reach them here.
New Bill Could Ban Abortions After Down Syndrome Diagnosis
WKSU 89.7, October 9, 2017
Women argue in Ohio House for end to sales tax on tampons
The Columbus Dispatch, October 10, 2017
Today Is International Day Of The Girl – Here’s How You Can Celebrate It
Refinery29, October 11, 2017
Opinion: The Trump administration ignores science on birth control
The Washington Post, October 11, 2017
The Biggest Change to Obamacare Yet
The Atlantic, October 12, 2017
Trump’s twin moves undercut Obamacare
The Columbus Dispatch, October 12, 2017
Last week, we attended a Voters Forum hosted by The League of Women Voters Ohio and our coalition and grant partner The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio. At the forum, representatives for Issue 1, Marsy’s Law, and Issue 2, The Drug Price Relief Act, discussed the two statewide issues on this year’s ballot with a gender lens.
If you missed the forum, you can watch a video of the event live streamed by the Women’s Fund. Click here for the Issue 1 video and click here for the Issue 2 video. You can also learn more about the issues and what’s on your ballot using the LWV of Metro Columbus voters’ guides found online here.
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- HB 61 (Kelly) – Eliminates the sales tax on any feminine hygiene products so that they are treated the same as other medically necessary products, rather than a ‘luxury item.’ The House Ways & Means Committee held a second hearing with proponent testimony on Tuesday of last week. We were one of many organizations and advocates that gave testimony in support of the bill. You can find all testimony here (look for the testimony and documents from October 10).
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HB 214 (LaTourette, Merrin) – The Down Syndrome abortion ban, which bans a doctor from performing an abortion if they have knowledge that a woman is seeking the abortion due to a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. The House Health Committee held a third hearing with opponent testimony on the bill last Wednesday. Many of our partners testified against this abortion ban; you can find all testimony here (look for the testimony and documents from October 11).
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HB 240 (Barnes) – Designates the month of April as “Respect Your Date Month” to raise awareness on the issue of partner violence. The bill would also require state colleges and universities to adopt a policy regarding dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and rape on campus, and to declare an emergency. The House Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee held a second hearing on the bill last week with proponent testimony. You can find all testimony here (look for the testimony and documents from October 11).
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HB 327 (Schaffer, Smith, K.) – Creates tougher penalties for anyone charged with importuning or soliciting sex over the internet. The House Criminal Justice Committee will hold a second hearing on the bill this upcoming Tuesday. The Committee meets at 1:30 PM in Room 114 of the Ohio Statehouse.
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HB 355 (Hill, Rezabek) – This bill would prohibit ‘sexting’ by anyone under the age of 21 and require every county in Ohio to create a sexting educational diversion program aimed at helping first time offenders under 21 convicted of sending sexually explicit materials of a minor. It was referred to the House Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday of last week.
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HB 365 (Hughes, Boggs) – Known as the Reagan Tokes Act, this bill would require released violent offenders wearing GPS monitors to have set geographic boundaries and would give law enforcement the ability to access the GPS data without a subpoena. It was referred to the House Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday of last week and will receive a first committee hearing for sponsor testimony on Tuesday of this upcoming week. The Criminal Justice Committee meets at 1:30 PM in Room 114 of the Ohio Statehouse.
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HB 383 (Carfagna) – Requires that child-care centers provide parental notice of any serious risks to health or safety of children while under their care. It was introduced this past week on Wednesday.
American women will spend in excess of $2 billion this year on menstrual supplies, and states will generate over $120 million in annual sales taxes on these purchases. As you may know, sales taxes impose the greatest burden on people who earn the least.
In the past, when our tax laws were written by mostly, if not exclusively male legislators, menstrual supplies were treated as a hygiene or luxury item or not considered at all when contemplating essential basic needs. Ohio House Bill 61would change that by exempting tampons and other feminine hygiene products from the sales tax.
TAKE ACTION: You can help us advance HB 61 by contacting your State Representative and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Schaffer, and urging them to stop taxing women’s menstrual supplies by supporting HB61.
