Advocates for Ohio’s Future. This coalition of groups works to maintain vital public services — health, human services, and early care & education — at a level that meets people’s basic needs and protects our most vulnerable populations. Read more about us…
State Issues
Issues Update:
SUMMARY SENATE VERSION OF STATE BUDGET BILL (Ohio Housing Trust Fund remains fully intact)
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OHIO FORECLOSURES
Press release on Ohio Supreme Court foreclosure filings (70,469) for 2012. Advocates urge Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine to release a portion of national mortgage settlement funds to nonprofit foreclosure prevention programs. "We need to use every tool we have to address the problem," said Bill Faith. 5/2/13
Voting & Elections Advocacy
Obtaining ID is daunting for homeless - Letter to the editor, Columbus Dispatch, June 5, 2013
Senate Testimony of Ohio Student Association's Stuart McIntyre in front of the education subcommittee 5.15.13
Senate Testimony of Bruce Johnson of the Inter-University Council of Ohio, on amendment that could deter student voting, April 30, 2013. For the complete version, click here.
Voting laws are being
revised at the Ohio Legislature.
Attend a Voice of the Voter
forum in Columbus and
give your opinion on voting hours,
changes in locations,
issues with ID, or thoughts
about changes you would like to see.
May 8th at 6:30 p.m. at the Marion Franklin Community Center, 2801 Lockbourne Rd., Columbus, OH 43207
League of Women Voters of Ohio statement on HB 59, student voting at Ohio Universities
Common Cause statement on HB 59
Voting Advocates Recommend Legislative Priorities
The Trust is a Must!
The Ohio Housing Trust Fund Advocacy in the Senate
So far so good. . . Governor Kasich's executive budget and the Ohio House budget bill included the full $53 million/yr appropriation.
HOWEVER, Senate terrain could be rocky, so it's critical that you call your state senator and let him/her know the importance of the Ohio Housing Trust Fund to your agency and community.
We have developed resources materials for your use in talking with your senator:
Sample email and Senate contact list
The Trust is a Must (Ohio Housing Trust Fund brochure)
Economic & Job Creation Impact Study by Vogt Santer Insights
Future of Behavioral Health Care...By the Numbers, Developing a Common Understanding
District maps from the Secretary of State website
The Ohio Legislative Information Hotline (1-800-282-0253, Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) will provide you with your senator contact information.
Support Healthcare Coverage
Ohio is about to miss out on a historic opportunity to help working Ohioans and their families. The biennium budget bill approved by the Ohio House and sent to the Senate on April 18 does not include extending affordable healthcare (though an 11th hour amendment was added to explore Medicaid options). We need your help! Contact your state senator today in suport of a healthy, working Ohio.
Watch the Rally at the Statehouse for Healthy, Working Ohioans (From April 11, 2013)
The Biennium Budget Bill -
Bill Faith weighs in on the Ohio House Stripping Medicaid Expansion from the Budget Plan
Bill Faith weighs in on the governor's tax proposals (and other advocacy issues in March)
Gas & Oil Severance Tax Increase
Bill Faith testimony in suppport of Increase in Gas & Oil Severance Tax
The Impact of Oil & Gas Industry Development on Housing
We’re hearing stories about the impact that the hydraulic fracking industry is having on the availability of affordable housing in more than a dozen counties in eastern Ohio. We’re especially interested in identifying the relationship between industry growth and the displacement of low-income tenants. As a trusted partner, your insights are critical to our efforts to paint a realistic picture of affordable housing insecurity in eastern Ohio.
Please share your insights in this quick survey!
If you'd prefer to speak by phone about industry impact, please call Cathy Johnston (614-280-1984, ext 25) or Suzanne G. Acker (614-280-1984, ext 11). Thank you in advance for your time.
Here are some resources related to the gas/oil boom in Ohio that you might find interesting:
State Drilling Fee Raises $206M; AP news article, 9/11/12
Fracking, Fairness and the Future; A report by Innovation Ohio
Appalachian Housing Study Summary of Findings; A report by Vogt Santer Insights
The Economic Value of Shale Natural Gas in Ohio; A report by the OSU Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics
An Analysys of the Economic Potential for Shale Formations in Ohio; A report by faculty and staff at Cleveland State University, Ohio State University and Marietta College
Marcellus Natural Gas Development's Effect on Housing in Pennsylvania; A study by the Center for the Study of Community and the Economy (CSCE) at Lycoming College.
Find out more about the impact of the state budget on health and human services.
The Governor Releases Executive Budget; Impact on Health and Human Services
works to maintain vital public services – health, human services, and early care & education – at a level that meets people's basic needs and protects our state's most vulnerable populations. Advocates monitors, reports and advocates on health and human service issues on both the state and national level.
For more information visit www.advocatesforohio.org
Advocates for Ohio's Future, in collaboration with COHHIO and other partners, recently launched the OhioSPEAKS project. We are collecting stories highlighting the ways that publicly funded health and human serice programs and early care and education programs successfully build economic security and help children, families, seniors and people with disabilities in need. Click HERE to learn more about OhioSPEAKS from representatives of partner organizations.
One Ohio Now
Support a balanced approach to balancing Ohio's budget. By investing in our families, communities, natural resources, and existing assets, we all share the potential to guide our state to renewed prosperity.
See How Ohio's budget affects you
Looking for Factsheets and Reports? Visit COHHIO's Online Library where you will be able to find fact sheets, reports and more information on many of our advocacy topics.