Women's Public Policy Network

Ohio

Stay engaged, involved, and up-to-date: 11/20/2017 Week in Review

Monday, November 27th, 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!

 OUR TEAM IS GROWING!

We were excited to announce this past week that Elizabeth Brown, a fierce advocate and change leader for women and families, will be joining the Women’s Public Policy Network’s leadership as a part-time executive director.
 
“Given Elizabeth’s experience, leadership, and passion on these issues, she will be an invaluable addition to the network as we continue our work to advance policy change that breaks down barriers of inequality,” said Erin Ryan [managing director of the Women’s Public Policy Network.] Read the full press release here.

“IF YOU’RE NOT AT THE TABLE, YOU’RE ON THE MENU”

We know that when more women have a seat at the table as elected officials, policy solutions to issues affecting women are more likely to be discussed and advanced. That’s why programs that support and train women running for office are so critically important to getting more women elected.

The John Glenn College of Public Affairs will be hosting Ready to Run – Campaign Training for Women, a non-partisan campaign training program on Thursday, December 7, 2017. Attendees receive training from local campaign experts on:
  • Key Elements of a Winning Campaign
  • Fundraising for Success
  • Laying the Groundwork for Public Life
  • Delivering Your Campaign Message with Confidence
  • Launching Your Campaign
Learn more about the program and register online here.
LOOKING AHEAD: PARTNER EVENTS THIS UPCOMING WEEK  
Wednesday, November 29
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
The Ohio Statehouse, Hearing Room 121
1 Capitol Square, Columbus, OH 43215*
 

Ohio legislators are back at it again… Back in session with the intention to push through more abortion bans before holiday recess. In just the last two weeks they’ve voted out two abortion bans – one in the House and one in the Senate. We invite our supporters to show up and show out in opposition to these harmful bills! 

This hearing is for proponent (in favor of the bill) testimony, so we need our supporters to pack our side and show we have power in numbers and that Ohioan’s don’t support abortion restrictions. Find out full details here.
Saturday, December 2
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio
2323 West Fifth Ave., Suite 2330
Columbus, OH 43204
Are you passionate about increasing the number of women in public office and want to learn more about campaign management? To drive change there is no substitute for action. Channel your passion into strategy in a half-day training focused on the basics of managing a campaign and how to support women running for office.
  • Facilitated By: Antoinette Wilson, CEO of Triumph Communications
  • In Partnership With: The John Glenn College of Public Affairs
Find out more and register online, here.
Visit our Partner Events Calendar for more details on future events hosted by our coalition partners across the state.
#OHLEG ALERT
We are tracking the progress of any state bills affecting women in the Ohio Legislature for the 132nd General Assembly. Here’s a quick overview of some key highlights from last week and looking ahead to this upcoming week:
  •  HB 258 (Hagan, Hood) – Six-week Abortion Ban: This bill would outlaw any abortion at the earliest detection of a fetal heartbeat, which is as early as six weeks – at a time before many women even know that they are pregnant. The House Health Committee will hold a second hearing for proponent testimony on Wednesday, November 29. The Committee will meet at 9:00 AM in Statehouse Room 121. 
  • HB 365 (Hughes, Boggs) – The Reagan Tokes Act: Requires 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. The House Criminal Justice Committee will hold a third hearing on the bill on Tuesday, November 28. The Committee will meet at 1:30 PM in Statehouse Room 114. 
  • HB 383 (Carfagna) – Child-care: Requires that child-care centers provide parental notice of any serious risks to health or safety of children while under their care. The Community & Family Advancement Committee will hold a second hearing on the bill on Wednesday, November 29. The Committee will meet at 3:00 PM in Statehouse Room 114. 
  • SB 41 (Eklund) – Testimonial Privilege: Provides testimonial privilege for open communication between an advocate providing services and a victim of sexual violence, stalking, or domestic violence. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a first hearing for sponsor testimony on Tuesday, November 28. The Committee will meet in the North Hearing Room at 10:15 AM. 
  • SB 207 (Kunze) – Strangulation: Expands the offense of felonious assault to include the acts of strangulation or suffocation. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a second hearing on the bill on Tuesday, November 28. The Committee will meet in the North Hearing Room at 10:15 AM.
We will keep tracking any new updates and will be sharing timely legislative updates on these and other women-centric legislation on Twitter using the #OHLeg hashtag. Follow us to stay up-to-date on what’s happening at the Statehouse.
RAISE YOUR VOICE TO STOP THE BANS
The Ohio legislature has continued to advance abortion bans, making it more difficult and costly – and sometimes completely impossible – to access reproductive health care. This upcoming week, the legislature will take up the six-week abortion ban (HB258), which would ban abortions at a time before many women even know that they are pregnant.
TAKE ACTION: It’s time for the legislature to stop the bans! You can take action in a few different ways: 

1 Show up: Attend the StopTheBans Statehouse Day hosted by our partners at NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio on Wednesday, November 29 beginning at 9:00 AM. Find the full details here.

2 Contact your representative: Find and contact your state representative here. Urge them to end attacks on abortion access, including the six-week abortion ban (HB258).

3 Get active on social media: Use the hashtag #StopTheBans to add your voice to the conversation