On Monday, July 1, the Citizens Not Politicians (CNP) campaign will deliver truckloads of petition booklets from all 88 counties to the Ohio Secretary of State’s office – the next step in getting an amendment on the ballot to end gerrymandering in Ohio!
We invite every volunteer, supporter, redistricting reformer, and Ohioan who wants a better democracy and brighter future for our state to a rally at the Statehouse immediately following the booklet drop-off.
Where: Ohio Statehouse Atrium
When: Monday, July 1, 12 to 1p.m. (arrive early to have time to get through security)
Who: Ohioans from every county and corner of the state.
What to wear: Your Fair Districts, Fair Maps, and Ban Gerrymandering t-shirts and buttons!
RSVP here. (More info about parking and what to bring when you RSVP.)
Please invite your friends! If you are interested in carpooling, fill out this form. We want to show that Ohioans care deeply about fair maps: They want citizens, not politicians, to draw voting districts.
You are invited to the booklet delivery earlier in the day as well, but it’s a bit complicated. Because of the Red, White & Boom fireworks event later in the week, many roads and parking areas will be closed downtown, limiting and hindering our access. With that in mind, we encourage everyone to attend the rally at the Statehouse instead. However, if you really want to see the booklets delivered (and maybe even be part of a human chain moving boxes from the trucks into the building), here’s what you need to know:
Where: Ohio Secretary of State’s Office, 180 S Civic Center Dr, Columbus, OH 43215
Who: Activists who want to participate in a human chain delivering boxes. This will require a lot of lifting and standing, plus walking to the Statehouse afterward for the rally. Note that SoS’s new office location on Civic Center Drive is further from the Statehouse. Plus, Civic Center Drive will be closed due to Red White & Boom, both for driving and parking.
Action Required: We need to know you are coming so we can give you more info before the event. Contact Trevor Martin at tmartin@lwvohio.org or (415) 871-8750 for necessary details.
Help get Ohio energy bills moving again
The two energy bills we’ve been following – HB 197 (community solar) and HB 79 (energy efficiency) have not advanced yet. This article provides links to contact the legislators who are currently deciding on whether they will survive and pass.
Sponsored by two Republicans, HB 197 would create a community solar pilot program that would enable people and businesses unable to install rooftop solar to share in the cost savings of getting part of their electricity from local, renewable generation. After seven hearings, 121 proponent testimonies, and only five pieces of testimony submitted by opponents (two of them by AEP), the committee staffer emailed us that “the sponsors need to work to gain additional Majority support.” He later added “most likely it will be up for a vote on the 26th of June.”
Meanwhile, the companion bill SB 247 is being introduced by Senator Lang in the Senate Energy and Public Utilities. Use this link to send a message to legislators in both chambers.
If you need a boost to get the energy to write yet another email about community solar (and please do!), watch this delightful Ohio Citizen Action video “NO MORE WAITING!”
Advocacy updates are compiled by Ariel Miller, a longtime community advocate and member of Ascension & Holy Trinity, Wyoming. Connect with her at arielmillerwriter@gmail.com.
