Current Actions

Opposition of SJR2/HJR1 and Bills HB144 SB 92

Tue, 09 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Dear Friends and Members,

Your urgent activism is much needed today as the Ohio House plans to have a vote on SJR2 tomorrow May 10, 2023. This bill will affect the basic constitutional rights of every Ohioan. We must act now to oppose the resolution and its counterpart HJR1.

The Ohio State Legislative Board perceives this as a power grab move but certain people that are influenced by out of state sources.

From a recent Ohio AFL-CIO brief obtained the following I feel is highlights you need to be aware of:

"The labor movement stands united in opposition to HJR1/SJR2 and HB144/SB92, and urges all legislators stop these unnecessary, undemocratic measures, and instead focus on economic development and job creation policies that bring us together and improve the lives of all Ohioans."

Highlights that effect all of us in negative ways:

Undermines the Sacred Principle of One Person, One Vote
- Since 1912, Ohioans have had the right to put Constitutional Amendments directly on the statewide ballot with a simple majority vote for passage. This is the fair and democratic way for Ohioans to advance issues and seek voter approval through direct democracy.
- Through this process, Ohioans have protected the Ohio Constitution from monopolies, provided pensions to war veterans, invested in job programs and economic development, restored watersheds, built schools, and set civil standards.
Creates Onerous Barriers that favor BIG-Monied Special Interests
- The current process to place an issue on the ballot and obtain a simple majority is not easy or overused. Following the cumbersome statutory process, collecting hundreds or thousands of valid signatures while meeting certain thresholds in 44 counties is challenging for even the best campaign with both a robust volunteer and paid signature gathering effort. Making petitioners hit those same thresholds in all 88 counties creates a barrier to the ballot that will almost certainly be unachievable. In addition, once an issue makes it on to the ballot, the campaign to obtain a majority "Yes" vote is extremely difficult as the success rate is 1 in 4.
- HJR1/SJR2 will make it nearly impossible for anyone except the wealthy special interests to successfully get to the ballot and pass an amendment. This may explain why an out-of-state billionaire is funding the campaign to pass these measures, where the principle of one-person, one-vote will be discarded.
Puts Ohio Jobs and the Economy at Risk
Low-Turnout Special Elections Cost Ohio Taxpayers Millions
- This undemocratic, unprecedented political maneuver becomes even more egregious when you pair it with HB144/SB92. calling on this amendment to be placed on an August special election ballot, just a few months after prohibiting them in most cases, reaches a level of legislative hypocrisy not seen in this state.
- August Special Elections cost Ohio Tax Payers $20 Million Dollars with a low turnout of only 7.9% last August. This is a waste of taxpayer money.

This board stands with the position of the Ohio AFL-CIO as we must all ban together let our voices be heard. Legislators represent the citizens of this state and work for the majority of the people. Not large corporations or out-of-state influencers contributing to them.

Contact your legislators today using the action button and tell them to OPPOSE this Resolution and corresponding bills.

In solidarity,

Clyde Whitaker

SMART-TD

Ohio State Legislative Board

Chairman & State Director

LO-038

Emergency Amtrak Funding

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Emergency Amtrak Funding Needed for Essential Workers

H.R.2 - Invest in America Act - Public Support

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Invest in America Act

Ohio Congressmen David Joyce, Michael Turner, Bill Johnson & Troy Balderson, Please sign onto and Co-sponsor HR 1748 - The Safe Freight Act

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Requesting support for H.R. !748

Please thank the Ohio Congresswomen/men for Co-sponsoring H R 1748 - The Safe Freight Act

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Thank you Congresswomen - Joyce Beatty, Marcia Fudge, Marcy Kaptur, and Congressmen Tim Ryan and Steve Stivers for Co-sponsoring H.R. 1748 - the Safe Freight Act

Transportation Committee Members please support HB 186 - and the portion of the bill concerning Blocked Crossings

Tue, 16 Apr 2019 04:00:00 GMT

The Time is Right for HB 186 - Blocked Crossing Safety Legislation

Transportation Committee members please support -HB 186 and the portion concerning Two-Person Crew

Tue, 16 Apr 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Transportation Committee members please support HB 186 concerning Two-Person Crew Freight Train Legislation

Transportation Committee member please support HB 186 - the Proper Lighting in Rail Yards portion of the bill

Fri, 12 Apr 2019 04:00:00 GMT

To Require Proper Lighting in Railroad Yards

Transportation Committee Members Please Support HB 186 - Details of the Proper Walkways portion of HB 186

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 04:00:00 GMT

A Common Sense Approach to keep Proper Walkways in Railroad Yards free of hazards and Obstructions

Transportation Committee Members Please support HB 186

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Please Support HB 186 - a comprehensive approach to four railroad safety issues

Representative please support HB186 - a comprehensive approach to four issues concerning Railroad Safety Legislation

Sat, 06 Apr 2019 04:00:00 GMT

HB186 improves four areas of Railroad Safety: 1. Two-Person Freight Train Crews. 2. Blocked Crossings. 3. Proper Lighting in Rail yards 4. Proper Walkways in Rail Yards.

Blocked Railroad Crossings in Ohio Communities

Wed, 30 May 2018 04:00:00 GMT

Please help with our call to action concerning Blocked Railroad Crossings in Ohio Communities

Please Thank U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown for Supporting Two-Person Train Crews

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 05:00:00 GMT

Please take the time to thank Senator Sherrod Brown for his leadership and unwavering support for the SMART Union Transportation Division. Senator Brown immediately signed on as a cosponsor of Senate Bill S. 2360, which calls for Two-Person Freight Train Crews.

Protect Ohio's Constitution from Anti-Worker Amendments!

Wed, 24 Jan 2018 05:00:00 GMT

Two extremist Republicans, backed by out-of-state interests, are trying to degrade Ohio's Constitution with a slew of Anti-Worker Amendments which includes "right to work" language aimed at destroying unions in Ohio and lowering wages for union workers, as well as those not protected by unions.

H.R.2 - Invest in America Act

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Subject: Please support the rail provisions in the INVEST Act