Hello Dem Friends!
Lots of news about the House Joint Resolution 1 from the people at Fair Districts and our own Rocky River Resident, Mark Szabo who’s Letter to the Editor of cleveland.com
An explanation, if you need one, from Fair Districts:
“Protecting access to direct democracy through citizen-led ballot initiatives is our number one priority in the fight for fair maps. That’s because we will not end gerrymandering without going back to get signatures and putting an issue on the ballot. House Joint Resolution 1 seeks to make that task virtually impossible. It’s a shameless power grab that will lock in minority rule in Ohio.
“Even all four living former Ohio Governors (2 R, 2 D) are speaking out against HJR1! Their opposition shines a light on just how egregious and damaging it would be to take power away from Ohio citizens in an August special election. With your help, we hope to be able to prevent a vote in the House and stop this resolution in its tracks.”
The Letter by Mark Szabo! Which is awesome! Way to go, Mark!!
And Action Items from Fair Districts:
There will be a hearing Thursday, 4/27 at 10am in the House Government Oversight Committee, room 313, to hear opponent testimony against SB92, the bill to create an August special election in order to ram through the constitutional amendment that will take away our access to direct democracy.
Here are the actions you can take!
- Attend the hearing Thursday 4/27 and help us pack the room (10am, room 313)
- Testify, or submit written testimony against SB92. (Make a copy of this accessible witness slip, and submit testimony to Chair Peterson at rep91@ohiohouse.gov)
- Sign up to join the march against HJR1 on Wednesday, 5/3
- Share the event link in all your groups and make sure folks know about the date change (from 4/27 to 5/3)
- Join us Thursday,4/27 at noon for a short training with lots of tips for how to write a letter to the editor. Featuring former editorial editor Mary Yost and former reporter TC Brown!
There is a Blood Drive on behalf of Liz! Please give if you can!
