June Meeting!!
We had a great meeting on Tuesday night! Great insight on the courts from Matthew Ahn and we were glad to welcome our guests Mary Ellen Hemann, who is running for Clerk of Courts for the Rocky River Municipal Court, and our Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne!!
Save Our Libraries!!
Take Action Today!! The State Budget goes into effect July 1st!!
Today we’re asking you to show up to support public library principles. A provision buried in the budget would require public libraries to segregate materials related to sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, so they are not visible to anyone under 18. As Michelle Francis, Executive Director of the Ohio Library Council, put it: “This language is dangerously vague, overly broad, and ultimately unworkable. It opens the door to unconstitutional censorship and undermines the core mission of libraries—to provide free and open access to information.“
We’re asking you to join us in contacting Governor DeWine TODAY and respectfully urge him to veto this provision, ORC Section 3375.47 in House Bill 96. Governor’s Hotline: (614) 644-4357 https://governor.ohio.gov/contact.
Governor DeWine has been and continues to be a strong supporter of public libraries. With this call to action, we want to make sure he knows he has our support in vetoing the language. Gov. DeWine did not put this language in, but he can help us take it out.Libraries represent everyone in their communities. The policies and procedures we already have in place ensure that what we have reflects the needs of our local communities. There are processes available for public input on those materials. Public libraries trust that parents, not politicians, know what is best for their children, and we encourage parents to help their children navigate the library and understand how and where to find the materials that are appropriate for their own families. We stand for equitable access to information and we support intellectual freedom. If you believe those are important, join us in getting this language removed from the state budget.
As always, thank you for your support of Ohio’s public libraries.
Good Trouble Virtual Event!!
Join this virtual event on July 17th, the anniversary of John Lewis’ passing. Details HERE!!
School Funding Bill!!
The Rocky River School District has come out in opposition of HB 335, which would reduce the amount of money school districts across the state of Ohio can collect for public education. This would have destructive effects across the landscape of public education and further satisfy the Republican statehouses’ aims of coming for our education and breaking the backs of the teacher’s unions. Read more HERE!!
Editorial Article!!
Please take a moment to read this insightful article HERE from Robert Reich that was shared by one of our members–it’s important to make sure that we continue to demand more from our leaders…beyond just NOT being Trump!!
A Note from Matt Diemer
Some words some of you may have received from our former Congressional Candidate Matt Diemer–certainly encouraging words in these troubling times…
My friends, let’s be clear: the fight for our future is far from over. In fact, it’s only just begun — and you are the key.
We are living through a moment of overwhelming complexity. The headlines are heavy. The stakes are high. Despair is easy. Apathy is even easier. But the only thing that has ever changed the course of history — the only force that has ever bent the arc of the moral universe toward justice — is ordinary people refusing to give up.
I know some of you are tired. I’ve felt it too. I’ve taken a step back these past few months — not because I’ve lost hope, but because even those who fight need time to breathe. And yes, I’ve seen more people tuning out, turning off their phones, stepping away from the noise. That may be good for your peace of mind — and I encourage it when needed — but understand this:
Democracy doesn’t rest. Freedom doesn’t pause. Progress doesn’t wait.
So take your rest. Then rise.
Speak out. Stand up. Organize. Agitate. Advocate for what you believe with every ounce of strength you’ve got. Because if you don’t, who will?
Too often, we confuse compromise with surrender. Cooperation is noble. But sacrificing your truth — silencing your convictions for the sake of comfort — that is not compromise. That is capitulation. And it erodes the very foundation of the world we are trying to build.
Be bold in your beliefs. Be unwavering in your pursuit of justice. Be unafraid to ruffle feathers or challenge the status quo. Your voice matters now more than ever — not just for you, but for the communities that need you, for the future that depends on you.
Over the past few months, I’ve been meeting with candidates, community leaders, and everyday people across this state. And I’ll tell you what gives me hope: there are still people in this fight. Still people stepping up, running for office, raising their hands, and saying, “Put me in.” Even in the face of vitriol. Even when the odds are long.
I believe in them. And I believe in you.
Democracy is not a spectator sport. It is messy. It is hard. But when more people get involved — when more voices join the chorus — we move forward. We build something better.
I’ll have more to say soon about what’s next. But know this: I’m not done. Not even close. And neither are you.
Reach out. Ask me anything. Share your thoughts. If you want to talk, send me your number — I’ll call you myself. Because this isn’t about one person. This is about all of us.
In solidarity, always.
Matt
Senate Bill 1!
Passed earlier this year, SB 1 (The Higher Education Destruction Act) bans diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, regulates classroom topics and discussion, and bans faculty strikes at Ohio’s public colleges and universities.
The good news?
There is a ballot initiative campaign to repeal this law, but help is needed to get this referendum on the ballot.
Time is extremely short, please make an effort to sign this weekend and consider a donation.
SAVE Act!
SAVE Act (National Level):
- Call Senator Moreno: DC (202-224-2315), Columbus office (614-469-2083), Cleveland office at (21- 522-7272), and Cincinnati office (513- 684-1021.
- Call Senator Husted: DC (202-224-3353), Columbus office (614-369-4925), and Cleveland office at (216-539-7877).
Here is a 1-pager to share, and here is a SAVE Act fact sheet with specific details on how SAVE would impact Ohioans.
Meanwhile…
HELP PROTECT OHIO’S DIRECT DEMOCRACY!
Ohio’s version of the SAVE Act:
Tell our Ohio General Assembly: NO on SB 153 & HB 233
The “Safeguard American Voter Eligibility” Act would require citizenship documentation (a passport, birth certificate or other citizenship document) to register to vote even though voters in every state are already required to affirm or verify their citizenship status when registering. It is already illegal for non-citizens to register and vote in federal or state elections.
The act would also burden people who have changed their legal name because of marriage, assimilation, or to better align with their gender identity.
Women are especially vulnerable to being disenfranchised, as millions change their name when they get married or divorced, so their birth certificates would not show their current name.
The SAVE Act would create huge barriers to voting.
It would require all Americans to prove their citizenship status by presenting documentation in person when registering to vote or updating their voter registration information. This would be the end of registering to vote online or by mail for most voters. What’s more, many eligible voters don’t have easy access to the necessary documents. State driver’s licenses, REAL ID, and veterans IDs would no longer be accepted.
Ohio Senate Bill 153 and Ohio House Bill 233 are a pair of radical, massive, and unnecessary election bills now in the Ohio General Assembly. Not only would these bills make it harder for statewide initiatives, local issues, and candidates to make it onto the ballot, these bills would make it harder for Ohioans to cast a ballot and would add unacceptable, unfunded burdens to local Boards of Elections.
The power of the vote and the citizen initiatives are the strongest tools Ohioans have to push back on government overreach, hold politicians accountable, and allow us to play a real role in shaping policy in our communities. Once again, corrupt politicians are trying to limit the power of everyday Ohioans.
Here’s a snapshot of who these bills would hurt:
- Ohio citizens trying to make changes that an out-of-touch Statehouse won’t make: These bills have new rules to make collecting signatures for citizen initiatives and referendums much harder and more expensive, and even tries to intimidate citizen organizers and volunteers with politically motivated investigations to make making it to the ballot even more challenging.
- Local governments, businesses, and citizen groups in Ohio trying to put issues onto their community ballots: These strict rules would apply to everyone trying to get something on the ballot, like a liquor ordinance for a small business, proposed zoning change for affordable housing, or new charter amendments for better government.
- Grassroots and independent candidates in Ohio who want to run for office: Candidates rely on volunteers to collect the signatures they need to qualify for the ballot, and grassroots and independent candidates who don’t have the funding and infrastructure support from party and corporate donors would be especially hurt by the rules in this bill that would needlessly invalidate signatures and create fear for volunteer organizers.
- Ohio voters: This legislation would ban all drop boxes, which are a secure, direct method for voters to submit voter registration forms, absentee ballot request forms, and absentee ballots. Thousands of voters could also be forced to vote provisionally– even if they haven’t moved or changed their name.
- Ohio county Boards of Elections, election officials, and election workers: These bills would bury our Boards of Elections with unwarranted and excessive busywork and take election officials and election workers away from their important work of supporting voters and keeping our elections secure. This bill is the definition of “unfunded mandate”: obligation without resources.
SB153 and HB 233 are a cynical attempt to rewrite election law and crush Ohio’s direct democracy. This attack on voters, our petition process, and our elections is just one more cynical ploy to rig the system in favor of powerful special interests, taking power away from Ohio citizens.
Tell our Ohio General Assembly: NO on SB 153 & HB 233
A toolkit has been created by Ohioans Against Extremism that also explains Ohio’s SAVE Act (SB 153 & HB 233) and provides actions you can take to stop it. Download the toolkit!
Membership Drive!
We are currently in our membership drive for 2025! If you have not renewed your membership, see one of us at the next meeting, or you can renew online HERE
Due to the rising costs of postage, scheduling of events, and other club duties, we unfortunately have had to raise our membership rates only slightly–individual memberships have increased to $30 (from $20), and family memberships have increased to $40 (from $30)–senior and student memberships will remain the same, at $10 and $5, respectively. While we hate to have to raise rates, it will go a long way to help us stage events, including postcard parties and community gatherings, maintaining the website, room rentals, printing, and sponsoring get-out-the-vote events and yard sign drives!
As always, if you can add more, it will cover someone who can afford less. Everyone is welcome at the amount you are comfortable contributing.