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March
2022 News & Updates
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Message from Rep. Kristin Boggs |
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The redistricting process is still ongoing, as a majority of the Ohio Redistricting Commission voted to pass another set of partisan state legislative maps that failed to comply with the Constitution and Court requirements. Democrats voted against the state maps and on March 16, the Supreme Court struck down the maps for a third time.
The Commission had until March 28 to provide constitutional state Senate and House maps. Mediators from the U.S. Sixth District Court of Appeals were provided to help the Commission settle on the fourth versions of the maps.
Both the Republicans and Democrats hired independent map drawers to assist in creating the next set of maps. Republicans brought in Douglas Johnson, president of Ashland Demographics Corp., and the Democrats brought in Michael McDonald, a professor at the University of Florida.
On March 21, Democrat Commission members, Leader Allison Russo and Senator Vernon Sykes, asked the Ohio Supreme Court to push back the May 3 election date to allow more time for the Commission to create constitutional maps. House Democrats had previously introduced an amendment to move the Ohio primary from May 3 to June 28, but this proposal was rejected by the House Republicans.
When the most recent deadline came up on March 28, the independent map drawers were still working on their maps when Republican Commission members introduced an edited version of the previously determined unconstitutional maps. The Commission approved these maps by a 4-3 vote with Auditor Faber siding with Leader Russo and Senator Sykes.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to my office at [email protected] or 614-466-1896
Yours in service,
Kristin
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Rep. Boggs introduced HB 590, which will name a portion of Interstate Route 270 in Franklin County the “Murray Ebner, Holocaust Survivor and Korean War Veteran, Memorial Highway”.
Murray Ebner was a constituent, who lived a remarkable life. He survived the Holocaust and afterwards, he came to live with relatives in Ohio. Before he even became a US citizen, he fought in the Korean War.
Murray developed an Emmy award winning documentary "A Survivor's Journey" and wrote a biography "Chosen for Reason's Unknown, A Holocaust Survivor's Journey."
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Rep. Boggs and Rep. Bill Seitz provided sponsor testimony on HB 574 in the House Commerce and Labor committee.
This bill will revise the law governing the sale or furnishing of beer and liquor at events held at a private residence without a liquor license.
The sponsor testimony is available to watch on the Ohio Channel here. The testimony begins 53 minutes in.
Rep. Boggs and Rep. Seitz were also featured in a Columbus Dispatch article where they discussed HB 574.
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Rep. Boggs attends Rally for Survivors of Sexual Assault |
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On March 30, Rep. Boggs and Rep. Jessica Miranda spoke at the Survivors of Sexual Assault Rally held on the Statehouse steps.
Rep. Boggs highlighted the inaction on her bill HB 199, which would remove the damage cap for noneconomic loss for rape victims, “Survivors of rape should not have to fight the legislature for justice. I don’t believe any member would hold on to their opposition to these bills if their child endured the violence we have heard about from survivors.”
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Transgender Day of Visibility |
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March 31 is International Transgender Day of Visibility, a day to celebrate trans and non-binary people and raise awareness of discrimination faced by trans people worldwide.
At the Statehouse, House Democrats are fighting back against extreme legislation that would attack the mental and physical well-being of transgender youth.
Local Resources:
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OSU Transgender Primary Care Clinic: provides transition-related care and primary care in a welcoming, supportive and affirming environment.
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Stonewall Columbus Transgender Therapy Group: provides a safe and therapeutic space for those who identify as transgender, gender variant, gender queer, non-binary, or are questioning their gender identity.
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Kaleidoscope Youth Center: offers free Drop-in Center programming for youth ages 12-20.
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BRAVO: The Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization (BRAVO) provides comprehensive individual and community programs for survivor advocacy and support to LGBTQI survivors of hate and bias violence, discrimination, intimate partner violence, stalking, and/or sexual assault.
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Democrats celebrate Women’s History Month |
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March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the histories of women in Ohio, America, and all across the world. Ohio Democrats are dedicated to advancing opportunities, improving access to healthcare, and ensuring that women’s voices are heard - for women of every background and identity.
Ohio House Dems strive to support legislation that prioritizes the health and well-being of women in Ohio. This includes:
Passed by the House:
· HB 371 —Expands coverage of screening mammography & patient notice of dense breast tissue
Awaits committee action:
· HB 42 —Save Our Mothers Act
· HB 135 —Allows all forms of copay assistance to count towards patient deductible
· HB 142 —Creates a four-year pilot program for coverage & provision of doula services
· HB 402 —Regulates the practice of certified professional midwives
· HB 491 —Establishes paid family & medical leave benefits
· HCR 6 —Declares racism a public health crisis
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Latest update on HB 327, the Republican big government censorship bill |
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Last month, House Republicans on the State and Local Government Committee accepted yet another substitute version of House Bill 327, the latest attempt by the GOP to silence and censor Ohioans.
The most recent version of the bill includes several alarming new provisions to go with the concerns prior versions raised. These ambiguous measures raise many questions, including:
· When the bill says we can’t discuss inherent racism, “whether consciously or unconsciously,” does that bar law enforcement agencies from conducting implicit bias trainings?
· When it says failing to “present both sides… of a political or ideological belief” is conduct unbecoming of a teacher, does that mean we can’t teach history anymore? How do you teach both sides of slavery? Of the Holocaust? Of 9/11?
· When it says our history “dispels the idea that the United States… is systemically racist,” how do we make progress in curtailing racism and its real and ongoing effects? When universities are intentional about making diversity, equity, and inclusion a priority to enrich the experience of everyone on their campus, do they have to stop?
HB 327 is expected to move quickly through committee, with a House vote expected in March. Make your voice on HB 327 heard by contacting Rep. Scott Wiggam, chair of the State and Local Government committee, by email at [email protected] or phone at (614) 466-1474.
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