Reproductive Rights

The times, they are a'changin'

Lloyd Benston famously said to Dan Quayle, "Senator, you are no Jack Kennedy." And we say to John Kasich, "Governor, you are no Ted Strickland." In three short months, you have torn apart this proud state -- threatening every group that dares express an opinion that doesn't line up with your agenda.

Here's what the Bully on the Bus is up to:

Making teachers, firefighters, police officers, nurses and other public employees the fall guys. Remember, immediately after the election, he said, “I am waiting for the teachers’ unions to take out full-page ads in all the major newspapers, apologizing for what they had to say about me during this campaign.” (Spingfield News-Sun) (Ironically, many union members voted GOP -- and now regret checking "Kasich" in the voting booth.)

Hiding budget cuts. Claiming to boost K-12 funding when schools actually will see cuts of 6.1 percent in the budget's first year and 4.7 percent in its second year. (Huffington Post)

Cutting programs for the poorest of the poor, vulnerable elderly, the handicapped while crowing about "protecting" the richest of the rich. As Ohio Rep. John Patrick Carney (D-Clintonville) told NBC4 in Columbus,"If they [nursing homes] are laying off 6,000 people, what are we going to do with respect to making sure the quality of care that the individual in those homes are getting?"

Taking away women's rights by banning abortions if there is evidence a fetus has a heartbeat -- which could be as early as 18 days after conception. (ABC News)

Disenfranchising voters. The Ohio Senate is considering a bill passed by the House that makes Ohio's existing requirements more stringent, blocking students, the working poor, the elderly, racial minorities, and people with disabilities -- who are twice as likely not to have the approved forms of ID. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

The list goes on. And remember, Kasich took office in January! What is ahead?

Progressives cannot take this lying down. As Ted Strickland said in a March 19 speech, It's time to fight. now -- and the next two years.

Think it won't hurt you?

Reliable sources tell UAPA that the City Council is already contemplating how to make up the approximately $110,000 less that Kasich's budget proposal will mean for Upper Arlington. Not much? Right? But what about the $2 million to $4 million annually from estate taxes that will be gone if Kasich and his cronies have their way? (Our information was confirmed in the March 27 Dispatch, " 'Hypothetically, if they both go away, what are the ways to restore our revenues?' asked Wade Steen, an Upper Arlington councilman.")

That will definitely mean an increase in INCOME TAX for each of us. What a way to take a responsibility off a priviledged group and load it onto the entire middle class! (Maybe Kasich is protecting the $500,000 in bonuses he got from Lehman Brothers.)

Remember, shortages roll downhill. When the state won't pay, cities, towns, libraries, school districts and public colleges and university students must. (And that means YOU.)

Join in! Ohio Walk for Choice

Independent national grassroots effort in support of women's rights!

Saturday , February 26,
Noon, march from Wexner Center Plaza, North High Street at 15th Avenue, to the Ohio Statehouse (approximately 3 miles)
OR 2 p.m., rally at the Statehouse
Speakers, music and activities advocating for women’s rights
Details

Fight against the Congressional “Smith Bill,” (H.R. Bill 3), the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which would end comprehensive health insurance and the legality of an abortion in life-threatening pregnancies. The “Pitts Bill” (H.R. Bill 358) to ban abortion coverage in state-based health insurance established under the new health care law. And the “Pence Bill” (H.R. Bill 217) to remove the Title X Family Planning Program and preventative care, including annual exams, cancer screenings, contraceptive services, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections – services which make up 97 percent of Planned Parenthood’s funding in Ohio.

In Ohio, there is the “Heartbeat Bill,” as well as House Bills 7 and 78, which seek to place laws against later-term abortions. House Bill 79 to prohibit abortion coverage in health insurance plans offered by the state, and House Bill 63 and Senate Bill 8, both posing further restrictions upon minors attempting to judicially bypass parental consent for an abortion. Read more.

Contact: Nikki Skrinak at Nikki.Skrinak@gmail.com or 614-354-2765