Making the Headlines – 6/19/23
Ohio’s government shenanigans offer a continuous fountain of news. We’re curating the headlines each day so you can stay informed.
Bill banning trans athletes added to bill to limit health care for Ohio LGBTQ youth
Ohio House committee passes combined measure
A bill that would prevent trans athletes from participating in Ohio women’s sports was woven into a bill that would limit health care for LGBTQ+ youth, and passed the Ohio House Public Health Policy Committee — all in the same meeting.
House Bill 6, dubbed the “Save Women’s Sports Act”, was added to House Bill 68, also known as the Save Adolescents from Experimentation Act (SAFE Act), through a substitute bill that was accepted during Wednesday’s committee meeting. HB 68 now awaits further consideration in the House.
HB 68 would ban doctors from providing gender-affirming care, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, to trans youth. The bill would prevent physicians from performing gender reassignment surgery on a minor, but many opponents have testified that no Ohio children’s hospital currently performs gender-affirming surgery on those under 18.
J.D. Vance embarrassing Ohio with unhinged partisan support for Trump
Nobody expected Ohio’s newest U.S. senator to shout “lock him up” this week after former President Donald Trump was indicted on 37 felonies accusing him of hoarding top secret documents and misleading investigators.
Republican J.D. Vance remains deeply indebted to Trump for endorsing his struggling candidacy last year during a crowded primary. There’s zero doubt Vance would not be in Congress without Trump’s loyal voters.
But that political reality does not excuse Vance’s outrageous and irresponsible response to a legitimate indictment, especially his threat to slow down any nomination to the Justice Department requiring Senate approval.
Two Dozen Ohio Business Leaders Sign Letter Opposing Issue 1, Calling It An ‘Ill-Conceived Ballot Issue’
A group of business leaders and corporate executives signed an open letter opposing State Issue 1, a ballot-initiative that would make it harder to amend the state constitution if passed.
This comes a month after the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Restaurant Association and other major state business groups endorsed the issue — showing that business leaders are split on the topic.
The letter, released Wednesday by the Leadership Now Project, says that business depends on the “health and stability of our democracy to thrive.” They write that they are “concerned about the growing attacks on our democracy.”
Discouraged? Don’t let the news keep you down.
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