The Rundown: A new Issue 1, informed consent for abortion, and transgender surgeries on minors
Center for Christian Virtue's The Rundown is the most important political and cultural news for Christians in Ohio. Thanks for reading this biweekly newsletter!
What's Happening
Ohio
Issues with Issue 1: The Ohio Ballot Board has approved the official summary language of the redistricting amendment, called Issue 1, which will appear on the ballot this fall. John Fortney, Director Of Communications for the Ohio Senate Majority Caucus, broke down the approval process and why Secretary of State Frank LaRose did not approve the summary proposed by the pro-amendment campaign. The campaign backers filed a lawsuit on Monday over their disagreement with the approved language. For more information on the background of 2025's Issue 1, check out the previous edition of The Rundown.
Doing the math: EdChoice opponents often cite the program’s cost, claiming that taxpayers would save money without it. Mainstream media has been quick to share those sentiments as new data on the scholarship take-up rate following last year's historic EdChoice expansion have been recently released. However, there is actually a significant savings for taxpayers when students participate in EdChoice: The maximum EdChoice scholarship amount is $8,408 for high school students, while the maximum public school per-pupil expenditure was more than $34,000 last year, with a statewide average of $15,428.
Protect them both: Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge David Young, a Democrat, is expected to rule soon in the case challenging Ohio's 24-hour waiting period to get an abortion. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has been defending the measure designed to ensure women have informed consent and are not among the majority who feel pressured into unwanted abortions.
"Just say no" again: The Ohio State University Drug Enforcement and Police Center recently surveyed hundreds of Ohio principals on how they anticipate recreational marijuana–passed as Issue 2 last year–will impact their schools. More than 40 percent said that student marijuana consumption was already a problem–including roughly 18 percent of elementary schools, while more than half said that the drug's legalization will likely lead to more of their students using marijuana.
US
A major problem for minors: The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, representing 11,000 members and more than 90 percent of the field in the US and Canada, is challenging the consensus of medical groups over "gender-affirming care" for children, stating that "the existing evidence base [for gender transition] is viewed as low quality/low certainty." Additionally, recent data shows that thousands of minor US girls had "gender affirming" double mastectomies between 2017 and 2023, including dozens of pre-teens. The prevalence of minor transgender surgeries is likely higher than even these numbers as the data is limited to only surgeries covered by insurance.
Half a save: The US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to deny the Biden administration’s request to begin partial implementation of its disastrous redefinition of Title IX that would erase women's spaces and sports. This means the new regulation is temporarily blocked in 26 states as lower courts hear legal challenges.
Not a win: The Montana Supreme Court unanimously ruled to eliminate a law requiring parental consent for minor girls to obtain an abortion because it "violates the fundamental right of a minor to control their body and destiny," denying parents' rights to direct the upbringing and care of their children.
Bad border policies vs. the Church: A New Jersey diocese and five immigrant priests are suing the US Department of State over a March 2023 revision to US immigrant visa law, claiming it was a “misinterpretation and misapplication” of federal regulations. The new rule will force the priests to “either violate the terms of their nonimmigrant visa or face imminent and abrupt departure from the United States without any knowledge as to when, or even if, [they] will return.”
Little miracles: Thanks to improved techniques and technologies to help with lung development and to protect their fragile organs, it is now possible to save the lives of babies born prematurely at 22 weeks and, in rare cases, at 21 weeks. Hospitals with the most experience caring for preemies report survival rates as high as 67 percent for babies born at 22 weeks.
Listen Up
Should we criticize the Church? What about its leaders? If so, how and when would we do it?
Megan Basham, an author and reporter for the Daily Wire, joins The Narrative podcast to answer these questions in the context of her new book, Shepherds for Sale. Megan discusses the key decision between admitting misunderstanding and compounding foolishness, how the secular left has strategically co-opted universal truths of the Gospel, and how Church leaders should respond to breaking news and crises like COVID.
Worldview Development
As a Christian, knowing how to engage in social-political conversations can be hard. Here is our top recommendation this week for developing your worldview to be equipped to tackle today's top issues:
How to be pro-life in a pro-abortion world by Brad Littlejohn
Many of today’s pro-abortion voters grew up in the Church, and although they may have been told that abortion was wrong, they were also often taught that “pro-choice” was right in almost every other domain. We live in a culture that valorizes unfettered individual choice and self-expression more than any in history and rarely pauses to warn young people just how badly such choices can go. Many Christians have enthusiastically jumped on the consumeristic train and reframed their political priorities in the language of individual freedom. In service of such freedom and personal fulfillment, we’ve allowed many believers to tacitly think of human life as raw material for human technique, as evidenced in the widespread evangelical acceptance of practices like in vitro fertilization.
Legislative Update
The legislature is still on summer break and won't resume session again until after the November election, so legislation will not move at the Statehouse until then.
Take a moment to review where all of the CCV-backed bills currently stand in the 135th General Assembly.
Click here to learn how a bill becomes a law in Ohio.
Resources & Opportunities
Vital Signs Ohio Abortion Report
Vital Signs is CCV’s report on the November 2023 election results, the exit poll, and other key abortion-related statistics in Ohio. This report’s purpose is to provide a sober-minded assessment of the state of Ohio’s culture so that all who are concerned about protecting innocent life can begin rebuilding what has been broken. Go to CCV.org/VitalSigns to access the report online.CCV's Nonpartisan Voter Guide–coming next month!
CCV is bringing back our free, nonpartisan voter guide with a new twist to make it even more helpful to know where your candidates stand on a variety of key issues. Keep an eye out for more information in the coming days!Social Media Pointers for Parents by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost
Trying to understand and regulate your children’s use of social media platforms (SMPs) can be overwhelming. The decision regarding how and when to allow them to use SMPs is personal. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has put together an informational flyer to help families make informed decisions.
Don't Miss
Kingdom to the Capitol Tour
Sean Feucht is leading the Kingdom to the Capitol tour in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, August 24, at 3:00 pm. The tour's goal is to take the message of the Kingdom of God to every state capitol across America. The event will include worship, prayer, ministry, and a special time of intercession for the state of Ohio.Cleveland Celebration Gala with Kayleigh McEnany
Kayleigh McEnany–former White House Press Secretary during the Trump Administration and current co-host of Outnumbered on Fox News–is the keynote for CCV's Cleveland Celebration Gala on Saturday, September 14. Table sponsorships and tickets are available now! Learn more at CCV.org/ClevelandGala.The First Annual Essential Summit
Hosted by CCV, The Essential Summit will take place Thursday, October 3. Join us to hear from speakers like Dr. Ben Carson, Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon, Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts, Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn, and more. Get your tickets now at EssentialSummit.org.Ohio March for Life
Co-hosted by CCV and the national March for Life, this annual pro-life protest in the heart of Downtown Columbus will take place Friday, October 4. For more information, go to MarchForLife.org/Ohio.
Prayer
Scripture calls us to pray for those in authority and to have confidence that God hears our prayers. Join the CCV team this week in praying for the below intentions.
Our elected officials: Rep. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville), Rep. Gail Pavliga (R-Atwater), Rep. Bob Peterson (R-Sabina), Rep. Justin Pizzuli (R-Scioto County), Rep. Phil Plummer (R-Dayton), and Rep. Jena Powell (R-Laura).
As we face another crucial election and anticipate millions of dollars pouring into Ohio to manipulate voters, we cannot let the Church's voice be silenced. Continue to pray for the Lord's favor upon CCV's nonpartisan election work and our upcoming Essential Summit to equip Christians to be educated voters.
As Ohio’s largest Christian public policy organization, Center for Christian Virtue seeks the good of our neighbors by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel.
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