Stay engaged, involved, and up-to-date: Week of 08/21/17
Saturday, August 26th, 2017
In our weekly updates from the Women’s Public Policy Network, we highlight some of the work our partners have been up to this week, share updates on bills affecting women that are moving at the Statehouse, and provide a call to action on proactive bills pending in the Legislature. Sign up for our email list to receive these updates in your inbox every week!
Nearly 100 years ago, the 19th amendment was passed, granting women the right to vote. Today, we commemorate that moment in American history with Women’s Equality Day. Looking back at history, it’s important to note that while we celebrate women’s suffrage, it did not guarantee this right for all women.
Despite the 19th amendment, women of color still faced disenfranchisement. Barriers like poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses were put up to prevent people of color from accessing the voting box. It was not until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that everyone was guaranteed the right to vote.
So on Women’s Equality Day, while there is reason to celebrate how far we’ve come for women’s rights, we must still acknowledge how far we have to go. Read our full blog post on Women’s Equality Day here.
STATE BUDGET UPDATE
The Ohio Senate came back on Tuesday to vote on to override Governor Kasich’s veto from the two-year state budget. They passed six of the veto overrides, some of which will have an impact on the state’s Medicaid program.
There were two big threats to Medicaid access that were not taken up by the Senate: the Medicaid expansion enrollment freeze (as it was not voted on in the House yet) and the so-called ‘Healthy Ohio’ program, which would impose monthly premiums on Medicaid recipients. The Legislature could still come back to vote on these later this session, so we will continue to monitor the process.
#OHLEG ALERT
We are tracking the progress of any state bills affecting women in the Ohio Legislature for the 132nd General Assembly. Since the Legislature is officially on summer recess, we have only a few updates and expect it to be relatively quiet at the state level until they are back in session.
- HB 327 (Schaffer, Smith, K.) – Creates tougher penalties for anyone charged with importuning or soliciting sex over the internet. The bill was introduced in the House earlier this week.
- SB 164 (LaRose) – The Down syndrome abortion ban, which would charge doctors with fourth-degree felonies if they performed abortions on women who sought the procedure on the basis of a Down syndrome diagnosis. The bill had a second hearing in the Senate on Tuesday.
TAKE ACTION FOR WOMEN’S EQUALITY
We’re fighting for paid family leave, equal pay for equal work, access to affordable, comprehensive health care, and so many more policy initiatives that will advance equality for women in Ohio.
Join us and take action to change the policy landscape for Ohio’s women and families by signing up on our ‘Be an Advocate’ page of our website.
