The Rundown: Senate Could Finalize Override of the Governor's Veto Today!
What's Happening
Ohio
Safe Across the Finish Line? Following Governor Mike DeWine's veto of HB68–the Save Women's Sports Act and SAFE Act–on December 29, the Ohio House of Representatives voted 65-28 to override the Governor's veto on January 10. The Ohio Senate is scheduled to vote on the override later today. Senate President Matt Huffman has indicated that they plan to override the veto.
Special Treatment Wanted: Governor DeWine also recently came out against the disqualification of transgender-identifying candidates from running for office who omitted their name changes from within the last five years on their applications–a rule that's been in place for decades. County elections boards have decided to overlook the discrepancy for two of the three transgender-identifying candidates who omitted their name changes, allowing them to appear on the March primary ballot.
False Advertising: While Medical Marijuana, Inc. has filed a petition with the Supreme Court to appeal a lower court's decision to favor the respondent who failed a drug test after using the company's hemp-based supplement which they falsely advertised as THC free, Governor DeWine is calling for regulation over chemically modified hemp products harming children by inducing highs similar to marijuana. Many of the products available at gas stations and other stores mimic the branding of popular candies and snacks, and do not have an age limit to purchase.
US
Psychosis Side Effect: THC-laced hemp products aren't the only issue. The Wall Street Journal recently came out with an article describing an increase in psychotic episodes–especially in children and young adults–following marijuana use.
Which Bathroom? Last week, the Supreme Court once again denied review in a case that would have provided clarity on the legality of single-sex bathrooms. While Adam Feldman, a Supreme Court scholar, speculated that the court did note take up the case because it does not have the votes needed to rule in favor of single-sex bathrooms, The Daily Signal notes that the lack of a decision comes with real consequences. This issue hits home for Ohioans as a federal judge ruled in August 2023 that the Bethel School District's multi-sex bathroom policy is constitutional.
Erasing Common-Sense: The Ethics & Public Policy Center published an article earlier this month listing five of the Biden administration's recent LGBT proposals, which would be far-reaching and disastrous. This same administration consulted the Southern Poverty Law Center–an anti-Christian organization–on the US's new domestic terrorism strategy, and investigated Catholics as "domestic extremists."
Hope for the Future: The latest update from the US Census Bureau shows that the number of children in two-parent families increased to 71 percent in 2023, continuing a slow upward trend that began in 2015. At the same time, the number of children living in single-parent homes and no-parent homes decreased.
World
Bad Omens from Canada: If the US continues on the track set by the Biden administration, there's no doubt our country would soon join the likes of Canada, which just suspended a physician for the offense of using the "wrong" pronouns for his patient of four years who informed him at her last appointment that she was then identifying as a man and wanted to be prescribed testosterone.
WATCH: 1:30 pm Senate Session Vote to Override HB68
The Ohio Senate has a session scheduled for 1:30 pm today–Wednesday, January 24–which includes a vote on whether to override the Governor's veto of HB68, the Save Women's Sports Act and SAFE Act.
Since the House of Representatives already approved the override, if the Senate successfully overrides the Governor's veto today, Ohio will join four other states who did the same to enact versions of the SAFE Act, and nearly two dozen states overall that now have a SAFE Act in their state law.
Reading The Rundown after the live session? Check out CCV.org/News for CCV's statement.
History Lesson
On January 10, 1963, Rep. Albert Sydney Herlong, Jr., at the request of one of his constituents, read the "Current Communist Goals" from "The Naked Communist" by Clean Skousen to be included in the official Congressional Record. The goals are an interesting comparison to and even explanation of today's political and moral culture.
Click here to see GovInfo's original copy of the 1963 Congressional Record Appendix.
The United States Government Publishing Office (GPO), a Federal agency in the legislative branch, runs GovInfo to provide free public access to official publications from all three branches of the Federal Government.
Worldview Development
As a Christian, it can be hard to know how to engage with social-political conversations from a Biblical worldview. Here's our top recommendation this week for developing your worldview to be equipped to tackle today's top issues:
2023 Priorities from the Biden Administration to Expect in 2024
The drive to push these ideas is only popular with a small segment of the population, drawing support from some and opposition from others. The arguments behind such views cannot proceed on their own merits, so government enforcement is the only way forward. ... Christians, of all people, must have the moral clarity to navigate strong-arm techniques. Today, the Colson Center is pleased to announce the launch of the Identity Project, the most comprehensive library of on-demand videos and resources addressing issues of identity, humanness, and sexuality available, all from a Judeo-Christian worldview. In collaboration with pastors, psychologists, sociologists, doctors, parents, and experts from organizations such as Alliance Defending Freedom and The Heritage Foundation, the Identity Project features teaching videos of various lengths that can be used in virtually every context: home, church, school, and with friends.
Read the full article here or go straight to the Identity Project.
Legislative Update
With the Senate back in session as of this afternoon, bills will again be moving through the legislature as usual. HB68 (described above) and HB183, two CCV-backed bills, have already seen movement in the House earlier in January, and we anticipate good results for both.
HB183–Single-Sex Bathrooms
House Bill 183 would require schools to designate separate bathrooms, locker rooms, and overnight accommodations for males and females in the school building, as well as any facility used for a school-sponsored event. The House Higher Education Committee just accepted a substitute version of this bill at the January 10 hearing. The substitute bill was procedural and did not substantially change the proposal.
Take a moment to review where other CCV-backed legislation currently stand in the 135th General Assembly.
View the January 24, 2024, Legislative Tracker
Click here to learn how a bill becomes a law in Ohio.
Take Action: Make a Difference. Get in Touch.
Elected by voters like you, our state legislators are highly motivated to listen to their constituents. It only takes 60 seconds to make your voice heard by using our Action Center to learn about the critical bills being debated at the Ohio Statehouse and to urge your Ohio legislators to take action on:
Preserving Single-Sex Bathroom Privacy
The Innocence Act
Protecting Children from Drag-Queen Obscenity
And more!
Elections
There are two major elections this year: the Presidential Primary Election in March and the General Election in November. There is also a Special Election on June 11 to fill the soon-vacant 6th District seat held by Marietta Republican US Rep. Bill Johnson.
Important Dates
February 20: Deadline for voter registration for the Presidential Primary Election
February 21: Early in-person absentee voting begins for the Presidential Primary Election.
March 12: Applications for absentee ballots to be mailed for the March 19 Presidential Primary Election must be received by boards of elections by the close of business
March 19: Presidential Primary Election Day. Polls open from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm*
To Do:
Are you registered to vote? It's easy to register to vote or update your voter registration information online at olvr.ohiosos.gov.
Review what's on your ballot. Each county Board of Elections office has a list of the candidates and issues appearing on your ballot.
Learn more about Ohio elections, request an absentee ballot, and more here.
*Please note that in-person voting law has changed; a photo ID is now required to cast a ballot. View accepted forms of ID.
Resources & Opportunities
CCV's OCEN Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO)
Did you know that Ohio allows you to donate to Christian or Catholic school scholarships and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit up to $750 per individual? CCV's Ohio Christian Education Network runs an SGO for our member schools.
You can donate through April 15 and apply it to your 2023 taxes.
Faith & Works Bulletin Inserts
Do you ever hear about what’s going on in the world and wonder how you can help make a difference?
Faith & Works is a FREE monthly bulletin insert to keep the Church faithful informed about current events while strengthening their faith and inspiring works. Churches can preview past issues and order their monthly inserts at CCV.org/FaithandWorks.
"What Churches and Pastors Can and Cannot Do In Elections"
The Church has an important role to promote justice and apply God’s timeless Word to the culture in which we live. This resource gives an overview of the legal rights of 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to engage with our government and in elections.
With the Presidential Primary campaigning ramping up, now is the perfect time to download and share this helpful PDF with your pastor!
Don't Miss
Prayer at the Statehouse
Join us for our second quarterly Prayer event on Thursday, May 16, from 10:00 to 11:30 am at the Ohio Statehouse. Register today to join us.2024 Ohio March for Life
Keep an eye out for the date for our third annual statewide march taking place this fall.
CCV will be participating in and hosting a number of incredible events through out 2024–stay tuned for more details!
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: Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green), Rep. Haraz Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg), Rep. Michele Grim (D-Toledo), Rep. Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester), Sen. Bob Hackett (R-London), and Rep. Thomas Hall (R-Middletown).
Pray for more churches to respond to the call to start schools, and for the Ohio Christian Education Network team as they walk alongside those churches to start schools this fall.
As our state's biennial Capital Budget is coming up for renewal this summer, pray for our team's lobbyists as they seek to ensure appropriate funding for community projects that protect life, families, and religious freedom.
That's all we have for this week. Be sure to keep an eye out for our next edition, and don't forget to share CCV's Rundown with others.
