Searching for Hope in Ohio Politics

S2 E7: WTF is Going on @ The Ohio Statehouse?!

In our 7th episode of Season 2 of the OAE Podcast and 4th “WTF is going on at the Ohio Statehouse?!” presentation of the 136th General Assembly, Maria & Ainslee are again joined by experts on the front lines of Statehouse advocacy. In today’s discussion, we go over the controversies that are front and center at the Statehouse and share some predictions about what we expect the rest of the year. Spoiler: Shenanigans are afoot! Find links to the organizations referenced and calls to action below. And check out earlier presentations to get a deep dive into specific bills under consideration. Recorded: Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Previous Episodes Covering the 136th GA * WTF is going on at the Ohio Statehouse?! - [https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/p/icymi-wtf-is-going-on-the-ohio-statehouse-0e8https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/p/icymi-wtf-is-going-on-the-ohio-statehouse-0e8]February 27, 2026 [https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/p/icymi-wtf-is-going-on-the-ohio-statehouse-0e8https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/p/icymi-wtf-is-going-on-the-ohio-statehouse-0e8] * WTF is going on at the Ohio Statehouse?! - [https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/p/icymi-wtf-is-going-on-the-ohio-statehousehttps://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/p/icymi-wtf-is-going-on-the-ohio-statehouse]November 13, 2025 [https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/p/icymi-wtf-is-going-on-the-ohio-statehousehttps://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/p/icymi-wtf-is-going-on-the-ohio-statehouse] * WTF is going on at the Ohio Statehouse?! - [https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/p/icymi-wtf-is-going-on-at-the-ohiohttps://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/p/icymi-wtf-is-going-on-at-the-ohio]May 15, 2025 [https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/p/icymi-wtf-is-going-on-at-the-ohiohttps://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/p/icymi-wtf-is-going-on-at-the-ohio] OAE Updates CHECK OUT OUR PODCAST!We give a behind-the-scenes look at the madness at the Ohio Statehouse. BECOME A COMMUNITY PARTNER!Complete the Community Partner Interest Form [https://ohagainstextremism.org/community-partner-form/] on our website to become an Ohioans Against Extremism Community Partner. CHECK OUT OUR BILL TRACKER!The full weekly hearing list for the hundreds of bills we track is available at any time at OhioBills.WTF [https://docs.google.com/document/d/193JfhzWrKxvGMO1eNL5Ik74rKCtiKf4cmZCDYVaXi4s/edit?tab=t.0] NEW! POLICY EXPLAINERS If you have a request for a topic for our new Policy Explainers, or if you are interested in helping produce these explainers, please reach out to Info@ohagainstextremism.org [Info@ohagainstextremism.org] Statehouse Schedule & Shenanigan Forecast Now through sometime in June: “Mini Lame Duck” They say they want to leave at the beginning of June. They say that every year. Fool us once… They will return on [REDACTED] They can technically come back at any time. Sometimes they come back as early as August to do some more campaigning via policy-making. Sometimes they stay out until mid November. Post election: Lame Duck mayhem Bills expire on December 31. They will go to the buzzer if they have to, particularly those not returning next session It’s all theatre all the time. Smile for the Camera Ever heard, “Don’t wrestle a pig in mud”? Well.. that applies here. They want to earn their viral story, their Fox News guest appearance, their shout-out from Elon. The wildcards are the ones not coming back Brenner, Williams to name a few… The girls are still fighting There is a lot of discontent within the Republican party. There are going to be a lot of power plays. THIS WEEK’S SHENANIGANS! HJR 9/ SJR 10 What it isA constitutional amendment to add voter photo ID requirements (already established in state law) to the Ohio Constitution. What’s happening this weekTestimony for and against the bill. To change the constitution. For forever. With legislation just introduced this month. Right before they leave for the summer and campaign for their own reelection. Total coincidence we’re sure. Sign up to stay informed [https://actionnetwork.org/forms/yes-keep-me-updated-on-the-general-assemblys-threats-of-a-photo-id-constitutional-amendment]Sign up to be part of a phone bank calling Ohio legislators [https://www.mobilize.us/acluohio/event/957862/] Medicaid fraud circular firing squad What it isAfter a viral story from the Daily Wire sparked accusations that there is wide-scale fraud in Ohio’s medicaid system What’s happening this weekThe State Auditor, the Attorney General Office, and the Department of Medicaid were invited to testify. The State Auditor is currently in a competitive election to become the attorney general. Total coincidence we’re sure. The committee chair is Representative Gross, who has stated that Ohio is in “crisis” due to widespread medicaid fraud. WHO WE FOLLOW Democracy WHO TO FOLLOW FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATES & ANALYSIS * Common Cause [https://www.commoncause.org/ohio/] * League of Women Voters [https://www.lwvohio.org] * Ohio Voter Rights Coalition [https://www.ohiovoterrights.org] * All Voting is Local [https://allvotingislocal.org/ohio/] * ACLU of Ohio [https://www.acluohio.org/issues/] ORGANIZING EFFORTS * Ohio Ballot Protection [https://ohioballotprotection.com] * Red Wine & Blue [https://redwine.blue/ohio/] Criminal Justice WHO TO FOLLOW FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATES & ANALYSIS * Ohio Families United for Political Action & Change (OFUPAC) [https://www.ofupac.org] * ACLU of Ohio [https://www.acluohio.org/issues/] * Ohio Justice & Policy Center [https://ohiojpc.org] * Ohio Poverty Law Center [https://www.ohiopovertylawcenter.org] ORGANIZING EFFORTS * CONGRATS to the Columbus Safety Collective [https://cbussafety.org] for the passage of Issue 5! * Ohio Coalition to End Qualified Immunity [https://oceqi.org] Immigration WHO TO FOLLOW FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATES & ANALYSIS * Ohio Immigrant Alliance [https://ohioimmigrant.org] * ACLU of Ohio [https://www.acluohio.org/issues/] * Vibrant Ohio [https://www.vibrantohio.org/] ORGANIZING EFFORTS * OhioIsHome.org [http://ohioishome.org/] * Ignite Peace [https://ignitepeace.org] * OPAWL [https://www.opawl.org] * LULAC [http://ohio.lulacohio.com] * CRIS Ohio [https://www.crisohio.org] * CAIR Ohio [https://cair-ohio.com] Environment WHO TO FOLLOW FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATES & ANALYSIS * Ohio Environmental Council [https://theoec.org] * Ohio Citizen Action [https://www.ohiocitizen.org] ORGANIZING EFFORTS * Conserve Ohio [http://ConserveOhio.org] * Ohio Residents for Responsible Development [https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/04/03/data-center-ban-on-the-ohio-ballot-petitioners-get-approval-to-start-gathering-signatures/] * Save Ohio Parks [https://saveohioparks.org] * Buckeye Environmental Network [https://benohio.org] * Local solar power ballot initiative in Richland [https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/resident-led-campaign-fails-reverse-170000041.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9kdWNrZHVja2dvLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAKPJ2KEWUU7EgpGZf2jvVhDbZzi33HzVsmaoHyzVKLDaQS-MX91ZDA8ZkE62mCj8D1_6Ejn_6o8yXdEgZcquTx4hut7WTe7jYmemFc1A82s6fLEynP5SH6Xv49-cFEXoQbIBaJaggXI8H7nHibAVCCFY5L4W4gK6UjLImhR5ux0V](narrowly failed) Healthcare WHO TO FOLLOW FOR UPDATES & ANALYSIS * Policy Matters Ohio [https://policymattersohio.org] * Planned Parenthood of Ohio [https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-advocates-ohio] * Abortion Forward [https://abortionforward.org] ORGANIZING EFFORTS * Ohio Women’s Alliance [https://www.ohiowomensalliance.org] * New Voices for Reproductive Justice [https://www.newvoicesrj.org] Important legislative highlights: * HB 324 (telemedicine ban for a variety of prescriptions) * TESTIMONY NEEDED! Had proponent testimony last week and we expect that it will have opponent testimony as early as Wednesday June 3rd - if you would like to testify please email Jaime@abortionforward.org [Jaime@abortionforward.org] - * people can take action and tell their legislator to vote NO on HB 324 here [https://abortionforward.org/medication-abortion/] LGBTQ+ Rights WHO TO FOLLOW FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATES & ANALYSIS * Equality Ohio [https://equalityohio.org] * TransOhio [https://www.transohio.org/calls-to-action] * LoveBoldly [https://www.loveboldly.org] ORGANIZING EFFORTS Equal Rights Amendment [https://www.ohioequalrights.org] BILL TRACKERS * Buckeye Flame [https://thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/05/15/2025-26-guide-to-ohios-lgbtq-legislation/] * Love Boldly [https://www.loveboldly.org/billtracker] Important legislative highlights: * HB249 (Drag Ban) - has not passed and it will not be passed in time to impact any prides this year. * HB693 (anti-LGBTQ bill impacting child welfare and foster care systems) - Equality Ohio is looking for families impacted by the child welfare systems willing to speak on the harm of this bill. Education Education @ the Statehouse TLDR: Brenner still sucks and doesn’t understand DEI; Introducing some GOOD transparency and accountability bills (SB443) WHO TO FOLLOW FOR UPDATES & ANALYSIS * Honesty for Ohio Education [https://www.honestyforohioeducation.org] * Ohio Federation of Teachers [https://oft-aft.org/legislative-updates] * Ohio Education Association [https://www.ohea.org/legislative-watch/] BILL TRACKERHonesty For Ohio Education [https://www.honestyforohioeducation.org/legislation-tracker] Important legislative highlights: * SB443 (voucher transparency & accountability) - GOOD BILL! Bipartisan bill being introduced this week. * SB113 - DEI ban for K-12 * HB485 and SB310 (Baby Olivia bills) could see opponent testimony scheduled at any time. They further erode our nonexistent health education standards and push “fetal personhood” along with absolutely inaccurate language about fetal development. * Reminder: Property tax bills inherently impact public school funding! Rely on our tracking and analysis? Please consider supporting our work. We don’t have any billionaire friends, and we don’t paywall our updates. We rely on the generous support of Ohioans like you to keep us going. Please consider becoming a monthly donor. Even $5/month can make a big difference. More from Ohioans Against Extremism NEW! Policy Explainers! We are supplementing our weekly posts with policy explainers that dive into the weeds of complex policy issues. * SB202 Is About More Than Just a Flag [https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/p/policy-explainer-and-more-may-14] (May 14, 2026) * What HB 1 and HB 292 tell us about the future Ohio lawmakers are building [https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/p/policy-explainer-and-more-may-21] (May 21, 2026) If you have a request for a topic, or if you are interested in helping produce these explainers, please reach out to Info@ohagainstextremism.org [Info@ohagainstextremism.org] Join our Community Partner Network Join a diverse network of community partners and take advantage of private planning sessions, exclusive safety resources, a free spot at OAE’s training sessions, and more. Support & Follow Ohioans Against Extremism Donate [https://ohagainstextremism.org/donate/] | Substack [https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/] | Podcast [https://ohagainstextremism.org/podcast/] Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Ohioans Against Extremism at ohagainstextremism.substack.com/subscribe [https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Searching for Hope in Ohio Politics

In this episode, Ainslee is joined by our producer and host of her own podcast, Columbus Can’t Wait [https://www.instagram.com/columbuscantwait/], Tareya Palmer. Columbus Can’t Wait focuses on local politics in Columbus and holding those in power accountable to the community. Tareya and Ainslee get candid about why it feels so hard to keep trying to make positive change in Ohio politics, especially when we keep losing. They discuss the creative ways Ohioans can keep pushing Ohio towards progress, even when everything is stacked against us. The voters decide, then the politicians overrule. Ohio politics is always rough for progressives, but in recent years it’s been altogether demoralizing. Despite continuing to have a purple electorate and powerful tools for a people-led democracy, Ohio’s state government is bright red, with seemingly endless hostility towards anyone outside the MAGA multiverse. Even worse, many of the politicians in power weaponize their authority to undermine hard-earned voter victories, be it redistricting reform, abortion rights, or marijuana legalization. It can feel hopeless, and for good reason. But we find hope anyway. We keep going. Because we have to. Whether it’s mobilizing around ballot initiatives, demanding more proactive action from politicians, or learning from policy successes in other parts of the country, there are ways that even the most frustrated Ohioans can get to work to preserve what’s left of our state’s democracy. It might involve building coalitions with groups you don’t agree with 100% of the time. It might involve finding common ground with people you’re still pretty mad at.It might involve difficult policy compromises. The fight for justice is always a worthwhile endeavor. Episode Information: Recorded: Tuesday, April 14, 2026In this Episode: Ainslee Johnson-Brown, Tareya PalmerProduced, Edited, and Recorded by: Devin “Dev Draper” Palmer and Tareya Palmer Support Our Work Thanks for listening. Our work is sustained through the generous support of everyday Ohioans, not billionaire bankrollers. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter. Ever $5 a month can make a big difference. More from Ohioans Against Extremism Save the Date! June 17: Ballot Fair in Akron On the evening of Wednesday, June 17, Ohioans Against Extremism will host our second ballot fair in Akron. Look out for an RSVP form soon. Email info@ohagainstextremism.org if you are working on a ballot issue or voter education in the Akron area and would like to be a part of this event. Join our Community Partner Network Join a diverse network of community partners and take advantage of private planning sessions, exclusive safety resources, a free spot at OAE’s training sessions, and more. Learn More [https://ohagainstextremism.org/community-partner-form/]. Get the weekly “This week @ the Statehouse” into your inbox every Monday! We send weekly dispatches from Hell the Statehouse. Each week, we provide a brief overview of what we’re paying attention to as we monitor the Ohio Legislature. We will flag bills that are moving, bills we’re fighting for or against, and provide timely reminders about other things advocates should be thinking about. Make sure to sign up for our email alerts to get this summary right to your inbox every week. Join the Helpers Cohort The Helpers Cohort offers mentorship, networking, and skill-building opportunities to “politically homeless” activists in Ohio. This cohort will help experienced activists find their next pet project and help newer activists learn how their strengths can make a difference in the fight against extremism. Support & Follow Ohioans Against Extremism Donate [https://ohagainstextremism.org/donate/] | Substack [https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/] | Podcast [https://ohagainstextremism.org/podcast/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/OhioansAgainstExtremism/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ohioansagainstextremism/] | X [https://x.com/NoExtremismOhio] | BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/ohagainstextremism.bsky.social] Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. OHAGAINSTEXTREMISM.ORG [http://ohagainstextremism.org] Get full access to Ohioans Against Extremism at ohagainstextremism.substack.com/subscribe [https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

"Organized Gangs of Wine Moms" For The Win

In 2023, Laura Mullen was just another fed up mom. Fast forward to 2026, and she is an elected school board member and the Ohio programs director for Red Wine & Blue [https://redwine.blue], an organization dedicated to mobilizing the now infamous “organized gangs of wine moms [https://www.rawstory.com/fox-news-2674902716/]” pushing back against authoritarianism in Ohio and across the country. FIRE SALE: Black "Against Extremism" tote bags - order by May 21! [https://ohagainstextremism.org/flashsale/] If you had told Laura back in 2023 that just three years later she would know state representatives’ names and have strong feelings about them, she would have said you were crazy. If you had told her back then that thousands of Ohioans would come to her for advocacy guidance, she wouldn’t have believed you. But it’s true. Red Wine & Blue’s presence in Ohio is no joke. It’s a big network that’s growing fast, with more than 60,000 members in Ohio alone. No wonder why they’ve got Trump and allies so worried. Laura, Ainslee, & Maria discuss how suburban moms and their allies can channel their frustration into tangible actions that help their local communities while disrupting the status quo. They discuss how to make advocacy fun, and share how each of them decompress after a long day of kicking ass. Perhaps most importantly, they discuss how the small staffs at OAE and RWB rely on each other to do their best work, and why supporting our organizations’ work supports tens of thousands of Ohio advocates that look to us for leadership. Support Red Wine & Blue [https://secure.actblue.com/donate/rwbweb2026] Support Ohioans Against Extremism [https://ohagainstextremism.org/donate/] Finally, while they didn’t get to it on the pod, Red Wine & Blue is having an advocacy day at the Statehouse this coming Tuesday. Check out more information below about the lobby day and training calls beforehand. If you’re ready to start your advocacy journey, here’s your chance! Episode Information: Recorded: Monday, March 16, 2026 In this Episode: Maria Bruno, Ainslee Johnson-Brown, Laura Mullen Produced, Edited, and Recorded by: Devin “Dev Draper” Palmer and Tareya Palmer Join Red Wine & Blue on March 24 for an Ohio Statehouse Lobby Day! Future in Focus: Lobby Day for the Ohio We Deserve [https://secure.ngpvan.com/GORT1PCQNkeKP7DDBCgJzg2] Tuesday, March 24, 2026 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM ET Do you care about Public School funding? Vouchers? Immigration? Health care? Voting rights? Data Centers? Countering Extremism? Saving Democracy? You don’t need to be an expert. You don’t need political experience. You just need to care about the future of our state — and be willing to raise your voice for it. PRE-LOBBY DAY PREPARATION CALLS: Lobby Day Training Evening session [https://secure.ngpvan.com/6X9x1wQNYkGakkTvfAv9bg2]Thursday, March 19, 2026 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM ET OHIO Testimony Preparation Session [https://secure.ngpvan.com/PACsh399v0GDIIPpbCb-3w2]Sunday, March 22, 2026 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM ET Support Our Work [https://ohagainstextremism.org/donate/] Thanks for listening. Our work is sustained through the generous support of everyday Ohioans, not billionaire bankrollers. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter. Ever $5 a month can make a big difference. More from Ohioans Against Extremism Join our Community Partner Network Join a diverse network of community partners and take advantage of private planning sessions, exclusive safety resources, a free spot at OAE’s training sessions, and more. Learn More [https://ohagainstextremism.org/community-partner-form/]. Coffee with Us [https://ohagainstextremism.org/coffee-with-us/] Join Ohioans Against Extremism at the Columbus Library to drink coffee, decompress, and discuss the stuff that keeps us hopeful and motivated Get the weekly “This week @ the Statehouse” into your inbox every Monday! We send weekly dispatches from Hell the Statehouse. Each week, we provide a brief overview of what we’re paying attention to as we monitor the Ohio Legislature. We will flag bills that are moving, bills we’re fighting for or against, and provide timely reminders about other things advocates should be thinking about. Make sure to sign up for our email alerts to get this summary right to your inbox every week. Join the Helpers Cohort [https://ohagainstextremism.org/helperscohort/] The Helpers Cohort offers mentorship, networking, and skill-building opportunities to “politically homeless” activists in Ohio. This cohort will help experienced activists find their next pet project and help newer activists learn how their strengths can make a difference in the fight against extremism. Support & Follow Ohioans Against Extremism Donate [https://ohagainstextremism.org/donate/] | Substack [https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/] | Podcast [https://ohagainstextremism.org/podcast/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/OhioansAgainstExtremism/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ohioansagainstextremism/] | X [https://x.com/NoExtremismOhio] | BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/ohagainstextremism.bsky.social] Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. OHAGAINSTEXTREMISM.ORG [http://ohagainstextremism.org] Get full access to Ohioans Against Extremism at ohagainstextremism.substack.com/subscribe [https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

ICYMI: WTF is Going on @ The Ohio Statehouse

ICYMI: WTF is Going on @ The Ohio Statehouse Webinar 2/24/26 In this special episode, we replay our Tuesday webinar discussing legislation under consideration at the Ohio Statehouse. Learn about bills being considered, then take action! Warning: It’s a lot. Remember, you don’t have to fight every battle. Pick a couple bills to focus on, then get to work! Presenters: Maria Bruno, Ohioans Against Extremism [http://ohagainstextremism.org] Emily Cole, OFUPAC [https://www.ofupac.org]Criminal Justice (5:00 - 9:09) Jona Hilario, OPAWL [https://www.opawl.org]Immigration (9:30 - 20:45) Spencer Dirrig, Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund [https://theoecactionfund.org]Environment (20:57 - 27:38) Danielle Firsich, Planned Parenthood of Ohio [https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-advocates-ohio] Healthcare (27:46 - 32:03) Josh Meek, Equality Ohio [https://equalityohio.org] LGBTQ+ Rights (32:12 - 41:03) Christina Collins & Rachel Coyle, Honesty for Ohio Education [https://www.honestyforohioeducation.org]Education (41:27 - 50:15) Criminal Justice (5:00 - 9:09) Presenter: Emily Cole, OFUPAC [https://www.ofupac.org] Bills discussed: * SB 321 - *bad* - Allows “special police officers” to be armed while escorting patients, patrolling grounds, operating medical detectors in behavioral health hospitals * SB 295 - *bad, signed into law* - Extended competency restoration to three years for aggravated murder, murder or where life in prison is possible sentence * HB 338 - *pushing amendment* - Creates survivorship benefits for COs; eliminates higher education/rehabilitation program access, tablet access for residents in max security * HB 548 - *GREAT!* - Mandatory substance use and alcohol screening after every use of force incident for all peace officers Take Action: Follow OFUPAC [https://www.ofupac.org] to get action alerts and legislative updates Immigration (9:30 - 20:45) Jona Hilario, OPAWL [https://www.opawl.org] Bills discussed: * ICE Bills * HB 26 - require law enforcement cooperation with ICE * HB 281 - require hospitals cooperate with ICE * HB 200 - require local govt and LE cooperate with ICE * HB 42 - require agencies including schools collect immigration and citizenship data * SB 172 - require officials allow arrests with or without warrants anywhere * HB 544 - expands scope of obstruction of justice * Dems’ immigration bill package - 8 bills Take Action: Sign up for updates from OPAWL [https://www.opawl.org], stay tuned for action alerts if one of the bills keeps moving Environment (20:57 - 27:38) Spencer Dirrig, Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund [https://theoecactionfund.org] Bills discussed: * HB 303: Sponsored by Rep. Ray (R) and Rep. Hoops (R) - Establishes a Community Energy Pilot Program, capped at 1,500 megawatts total. 500 MW reserved specifically for distressed sites and commercial or public rooftops * SB 329: Sponsored by Sen. Hicks-Hudson (D) and Sen. Smith (D) - Prohibits the surface application of brine from oil and gas wells on roads in Ohio Take Action: * Ask Senate Energy Committee Chairman Sen. Chavez to schedule hearings on HB 303! * Ask Senate Natural Resources Committee members to move forward to SB 329 for Ohio’s health and safety. * Keep up with Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund [https://theoecactionfund.org] for future calls to action. Healthcare (27:46 - 32:03) Danielle Firsich, Planned Parenthood of Ohio [https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-advocates-ohio] Bills discussed: * SB 309: would force providers to deliver a state-written disclosure that frames medication abortion as unusually dangerous; includes civil & criminal liability for providers * SB 310: fetal development video required in any school instruction related to human growth or sexuality * HB 347: reinstates the 24-hour waiting period before an abortion procedure and forces providers to give medically inaccurate information about the risks of abortion * HB 324 (attack on medication abortion) and HB485 (Baby Olivia Act) passed the House in November and have been referred to the Senate. Take Action: Sign up for alerts from Planned Parenthood of Ohio [https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-advocates-ohio] for calls to action LGBTQ+ Rights (32:12 - 41:03) Josh Meek, Equality Ohio [https://equalityohio.org] Bills discussed: * Slate of Hate * HB 693: Parental Right to Harm Bill - Enshrine discriminatory anti-LGBTQ+ principles into nearly every aspect of Ohio’s child welfare and family law system * HB 249: Drag Ban - Legally defines drag performances and being transgender as “obscene” * HB 172: Emergency Youth Mental Health Access - Repeals Emergency Youth Access to Mental Health Services Without Parental Consent * Slate of Love * HB 136 (Rader, Lett) & SB 70 (Antonio): Ohio Fairness Act * HB 300 (Brownlee, Lett) & SB 71 (Antonio, Liston): Conversion Therapy Ban * SB 211 (Antonio): Designate Love Makes a Family Week * HJR 4 (Synenberg, Somani): Marriage Ballot Initiative * HB 327 (Brownlee, Brewer): P.R.I.D.E Act - LGBTQ+ Healthcare * SB 221 (Antonio, Smith): Equality Ohio License Plate Take Action: Sign up for updates from Equality Ohio [https://equalityohio.org] to get action alerts about these bills. Education (41:27 - 50:15) Christina Collins & Rachel Coyle, Honesty for Ohio Education [https://www.honestyforohioeducation.org] Bills discussed: * Good Bills!! * HB 25 — Support for students in foster care * HB 523 — “Future Educators Support Act” * Funding threats * HB 698 — SB1 Compliance Act * HB 671 — Withhold funds from school districts that join the Vouchers Hurt Ohio lawsuit * Curriculum related bills: * HB 326 — Classic Learning Test) * SB 113 / HB 155 — K-12 Diversity Ban * SB 156 / HB 269 — “Success Sequence” * SB 34 — Ten Commandments in public schools * HB 485 — “Baby Olivia” * HB 486 — Charlie Kirk * Other Bills: * HB 153 / SB 107 — Partisan school board races * SB 127 — State can close schools Take Action: Keep up with Honesty’s legislation tracker [https://www.honestyforohioeducation.org/legislation-tracker] and sign up for updates. Read more about the bills we’re tracking: OhioBills.WTF [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y6I3KklR_trf8TjasUhhHc4hdc3YYZW1TobinBIPi5Q/edit?tab=t.0#bookmark=id.j95fchn482c4] Thank you for your patience as we transition to the new tracker. Email info@ohagainstextremism.org for inquiries and tips. Rely on our tracker? Please consider supporting our work. We don’t have any billionaire friends, and we don’t paywall our updates. We rely on the generous support of Ohioans like you to keep us going. Please consider becoming a monthly donor. Even $5/month can make a big difference. Quick Statehouse Links This Week’s Action The Ohio Senate The Ohio House Get the weekly “This week @ the Statehouse” into your inbox every Monday! We send weekly dispatches from Hell the Statehouse. Each week, we provide a brief overview of what we’re paying attention to as we monitor the Ohio Legislature. We will flag bills that are moving, bills we’re fighting for or against, and provide timely reminders about other things advocates should be thinking about. Make sure to sign up for our email alerts to get this summary right to your inbox every week. More from Ohioans Against Extremism Coffee with Us Join Ohioans Against Extremism at the Columbus Library to drink coffee, decompress, and discuss the stuff that keeps us hopeful and motivated Join the Helpers Cohort The Helpers Cohort offers mentorship, networking, and skill-building opportunities to “politically homeless” activists in Ohio. This cohort will help experienced activists find their next pet project and help newer activists learn how their strengths can make a difference in the fight against extremism. This is a free program with limited space. Join our Community Partner Network Join a diverse network of community partners and take advantage of private planning sessions, exclusive safety resources, a free spot at OAE’s training sessions, and more. Support & Follow Ohioans Against Extremism Donate [https://ohagainstextremism.org/donate/] | Substack [https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/] | Podcast [https://ohagainstextremism.org/podcast/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/OhioansAgainstExtremism/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ohioansagainstextremism/] | X [https://x.com/NoExtremismOhio] | BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/ohagainstextremism.bsky.social] Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Ohioans Against Extremism at ohagainstextremism.substack.com/subscribe [https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

OAE Podcast S2 E4: The Real Freeloaders

There has been a coordinated effort to paint immigrants and poor people as fraudsters and freeloaders taking advantage of taxpayers. But who gains the most when we focus on the little guys? The big guys. The truth is, if we are going to care about fraud — real fraud — we need to look at the folks that are profiting off of a broken system: the ultra-wealthy and big corporations. Inspired by a recent video [https://youtu.be/VKRLZk98EOg] from More Perfect Union [https://perfectunion.us], Maria & Ainslee return to a topic that Ainslee wrote about last year about: corporate greed. Ainslee & Maria discuss ways you can organize to proactively protect your communities from the real fraudsters. They end with previewing a few new programs kicking into gear next month. More information about those programs are below. Links from this episode: * More Perfect Union full video [https://youtu.be/VKRLZk98EOg] * Next week’s webinar RSVP [https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Q5w2NUdITFyc0DcXgliQ0w] * The Helpers Cohort application [https://ohagainstextremism.org/helperscohort/] * March 27 Coffee with Us RSVP [https://ohagainstextremism.org/coffee-with-us/] * Ohio Equal Rights Seasonal Connections Toolkit [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nJd8qihykWxyU60fSLaESmLdTzPIkbknHyasbAXXhUo/edit?tab=t.0] Episode Information: Recorded: Tuesday, February 17, 2026In this Episode: Maria Bruno, Ainslee Johnson-BrownProduced, Edited, and Recorded by: Devin “Dev Draper” Palmer and Tareya Palmer Support Our Work Thanks for listening. Our work is sustained through the generous support of everyday Ohioans, not billionaire bankrollers. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter. Ever $5 a month can make a big difference. More from Ohioans Against Extremism Webinar: WTF is Going on The Ohio Statehouse?! Join Ohioans Against Extremism to learn about bills being considered in the Ohio Legislature and ways you can take action to make a difference. Get caught up on what’s gone down so far and what experts and insiders expect to happen next. Yes, it will be recorded. Coffee with Us Join Ohioans Against Extremism at the Columbus Library to drink coffee, decompress, and discuss the stuff that keeps us hopeful and motivated Get the weekly “This week @ the Statehouse” into your inbox every Monday! We send weekly dispatches from Hell the Statehouse. Each week, we provide a brief overview of what we’re paying attention to as we monitor the Ohio Legislature. We will flag bills that are moving, bills we’re fighting for or against, and provide timely reminders about other things advocates should be thinking about. Make sure to sign up for our email alerts to get this summary right to your inbox every week. Join our Community Partner Network Join a diverse network of community partners and take advantage of private planning sessions, exclusive safety resources, a free spot at OAE’s training sessions, and more. Learn More [https://ohagainstextremism.org/community-partner-form/]. Support & Follow Ohioans Against Extremism Donate [https://ohagainstextremism.org/donate/] | Substack [https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/] | Podcast [https://ohagainstextremism.org/podcast/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/OhioansAgainstExtremism/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ohioansagainstextremism/] | X [https://x.com/NoExtremismOhio] | BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/ohagainstextremism.bsky.social] Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. OHAGAINSTEXTREMISM.ORG Get full access to Ohioans Against Extremism at ohagainstextremism.substack.com/subscribe [https://ohagainstextremism.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]