ICYMI: WTF is going on at the Ohio Statehouse?

This episode of the Ohioans Against Extremism podcast is the recording of Monday’s briefing about what’s going on at the Ohio Statehouse, with a foreword from our executive director.Warning: this episode will not be uplifting. But this is crucial information for Ohioans that care about our state’s future, and we can’t let these bad bills become law without at least putting up a fight.After you listen, scroll down for some quick links to the action alerts mentioned in the presentation.Presenters:* Maria Bruno, Ohioans Against Extremism* Rachel Coyle, Ohioans Against Extremism* Mia Lewis, Common Cause Ohio* Danielle DeLeon Spires, Ohio Poverty Law CenterRECORDED MONDAY, MAY 12, 2025 AT 12 PM ESTA special thanks to Common Cause Ohio, Ohio Poverty Law Center, the ACLU of Ohio, COHHIO, Honesty for Ohio Education, and the rest of our allies and partners that give us crucial, reliable updates that allow us to explain what the heck is going on to everyone else. We couldn’t do this without you.Follow along with Statehouse action at OhioBills.WTFDid we miss a bill you care about? Email [email protected], subject line, “bill tracker”.We need your support to keep us going. Yes, really!Did you appreciate this episode? Do you rely on our bill tracker? Please consider supporting our work. We don’t have billionaire backers (but are in the market… George Soros our lines are open!) Instead, we rely on the support of everyday Ohioans like you, and we could do way more cool stuff with more $$. So if you like what you see, cough it up for the cause, y'all!TAKE ACTION: Pick the issue(s) that speaks to you most, and DO SOMETHING!You don’t have to fight every battle, but challenge yourself to pick one that you’re invested in. Follow the lead of the organization(s) leading the charge.* Stand up for voting rights with the Ohio Voter Rights Coalition & Ohioans Against Extremism!* Fight for diversity in Ohio schools with Honesty for Ohio Education* Support immigrant communities with Ohio Immigrant Alliance* Help keep marijuana legal (like the majority just voted for in 2023) with the ACLU of Ohio!* Demand fair school funding with All in for Ohio Kids!* Defend affordable housing with COHHIO!* Protect medicaid with Ohio Poverty Law Center!* Fight for higher education by supporting the SB 1 Referendum Effort!* Keep public records public with OFUPAC.* (For Columbus folks) Support the Columbus Safety Collective’s ballot campaign to get a non-police emergency response system in the city.Already overwhelmed? Just pick a thing, and go.When you care about everything, where do you even begin? It’s every passionate advocate’s dilemma.Here’s our very simple advice: Focus, then follow through. Focus on 1-2 topics that most motivate you to take action. Then, actually follow through by completing the action alert, getting on the email list of the organization leading the fight, and maybe even getting more involved with that organization or another one that speaks to your values. You don’t need any special training or education to get involved. You just have to give a s**t.Graphics from this presentation:Have we mentioned how much we LOVE our monthly donors? Even $5 a month helps sustain our work. Get full access to Ohioans Against Extremism at ohagainstextremism.substack.com/subscribe