SIGN ON TODAY: What are Ohio lawmakers trying to hide?
New Ohio House rules further block Ohioans from lawmaking process. Tell the Speaker to reverse them immediately.
First they passed a Transparency Tax, which allows the government to charge Ohio taxpayers up to $750 just to receive public records. Unconscionable.
Now, they’re trying to shut Ohioans out of the lawmaking deliberation process entirely.
Last week, the State House of Representatives passed new rules to block Ohioans from even SEEING what’s going on while they pass increasingly terrible laws. Does that piss you off as much as it does us? SIGN ON to tell lawmakers: Ohioans deserve a say.
Advocacy organizations and community advocates from across the state are voicing our opposition to these new draconian house rules. No matter what issue you care about, there’s no justification to block everyday Ohioans from making their voices heard.
Sign on to the letter below demanding the Ohio House reverse their rules package.
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Sign On: Organizations and Leaders Condemn New House Rules Package
We, the undersigned, request the immediate reversal of the rules imposed by the 136th General Assembly at the Ohio House. Ohioans have a fundamental right to freely assembly and communicate with their elected officials at the Statehouse–a cornerstone of democracy that must not be undermined. We call for the reversal of the following rules without delay:
Barring Ohioans—apart from House members or guests of a member—from occupying the lobby and hallways outside the House chamber.
Eliminating the necessary 24-hour notice before a bill receives a floor vote.
The new rules blatantly attack Ohioans’ First Amendment rights to assemble and be heard at the People’s House.
The hallway outside the Ohio House Chamber has always been a critical space for free speech and direct engagement with elected officials. This area is essential for the public to be involved with the laws that ultimately will impact them. Banning Ohioans from speaking with their representatives–especially meeting requests that are often ignored–is an unacceptable attack on democracy.
All Ohioans deserve the opportunity to testify and express our concerns or support for legislation. The removal of the 24-hour notice deprives Ohioans of their right to assemble and have a say in the government we elect and pay for. Ohioans do not want more space between them and their elected officials–what are you trying to hide and who are you trying to hide from with these new rules?
Thousands of Ohioans came to the Statehouse last session to have their voices heard on a variety of issues and these voices must be heard when considering how to vote on bills across the spectrum. Legislators should not be hiding from the constituents they claim to be representing. The House Rules package is a thinly veiled attempt at suppressing opposition voices in the People's House.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, the undersigned