Fair Districts Friends,
A quick update on hearings this week. There are four hearings scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday this week to consider congressional maps -- two in an Ohio House Committee and two in a Senate Committee -- even though, as of today, we still haven’t seen the Republicans’ proposed map.
The Ohio Senate Local Government and Elections Committee hearings are as follows:
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 1pm, South Hearing Room in the Ohio Senate Building, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, Ohio 43215. At this hearing, the Democratic sponsors Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko and Vern Sykes will provide an overview of the their proposed congressional map (Senate Bill 237). Click here to see the Yuko/Sykes’ map on Dave’s Redistricting App. Republican Senator Rob McColley will also provide an overview of the legislation that he sponsored, Senate Bill 258. This bill is simply a placeholder indicating an intention to craft congressional districts, but we expect he will provide an overview of a congressional map as well. No testimony from the public will be allowed.
Thursday, Nov. 4, 9:30am at the same location. This hearing is an opportunity for proponents, opponents, and interested parties to testify about these two bills. If you wish to testify, email the Chair, Theresa Gavarone, at least 24 hours prior at Gavarone@ohiosenate.gov.
The Ohio House Government Oversight Committee hearings are as follows:.
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 11:00am, Room 116 of the Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, Ohio 43215. This hearing is devoted to House Bill 479 which is sponsored by state Rep. Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton). This is also a placeholder bill so we do not yet know what this congressional map looks like. No testimony from the public will be allowed.
Thursday, Nov. 4, 10:00am at the same location. This hearing is an opportunity to testify. Email the Chair, Shane Wilkins, at least 24 hours prior at rep36@ohiohouse.gov.
Please consider attending any/all of the hearings to keep the pressure on and show we are paying attention. We're hoping for lots of public testimony at both of Thursday’s hearings -- we so appreciate you stepping up to be heard!
If you are making a trip to the Ohio Statehouse, please wear your Fair Districts buttons or t-shirts.
Both of these hearings will be live streamed by the Ohio Channel and recordings will be available following the conclusion of the hearings.
Thank you for all you do,
Mia Lewis, Common Cause Ohio for Fair Districts
