ICO Newsletter - 3/12/25

Written By Indivisible OH12

We’re having a TOWN HALL!


It’s on! Mark your calendars for 2pm on Saturday, March 22 for the Indivisible Central Ohio Congressional Town Hall! We’re inviting Senators Husted and Moreno, and US Representatives Mike Carey and Joyce Beatty. Invitations were delivered directly to their offices in Washington DC. We’ll share a video of the deliveries as soon as we can for your viewing pleasure. The town hall is a GO whether or not they all grace us with their presence. We’ll have other speakers lined up and plenty of action items for you. More details about that in next week’s newsletter.


Register for the event HERE, and feel free to spread the word! 


Join the event helper crew
We’ve rented the Valley Dale Ballroom on Sunbury Road for the event. In order to keep down costs, we are looking for a volunteer crew to help with set up and tear down, etc. If you would like to help, please sign up HERE. Extra points for those willing to come out Friday night after 10pm and help set up chairs. 

Mention the Town Hall when you make calls 
We want everyone to know that we’ve invited Husted, Moreno and more to a town hall – and we want them to know that everyone knows. When you are making your calls to their offices, make sure to mention that you hope to see them at the town hall on March 22 – you know they’ve been invited and we’re waiting to hear a response. 

Many of us received one or more (sometimes many more) emails from Senator Moreno on March 7. Here’s a quote from his email to us that emphasizes just how much he values hearing from his constituents:

     “Your feedback is invaluable as we work together to address the issues that matter most to Ohio. We meet with constituents every day in Washington, D.C., and it is the best part of my day.
     “I ran for office because I was tired of career politicians that cared only about getting reelected. I understand I work for you. It is one of the greatest honors of my life to represent Ohio and I work very hard every day to do the best job I possibly can.
     “I am committed to listening to your concerns and ensuring that your voice is heard in Washington. Every message I receive helps me better understand the needs and priorities of our constituents. We may not always agree, but I want you to know that I respect your passion, your point of view, and your desire to make our great country even better.”

Send us your questions 
Do you have questions you’d like to ask Husted, Moreno, Carey or Beatty? We do not guarantee they will be answered, but we’re interested in compiling them and will send them along to our electeds, whether or not they attend the town hall. You can submit your questions HERE. 

Tell your story
As part of the town hall effort, we want to connect with people who have been affected by DOGE/Trump firings, funding freezes, and the atmosphere of fear. If you or someone you know would be willing to share a story, reply to this email! (Common Cause Ohio is also looking to connect with people who have these stories. Please share this form with anyone with a story to tell!) 

Tesla Protest Growing! 
Over 400 people showed up at the Tesla protest last weekend! Take a look at this amazing album of photos from Paul Becker and more from Jenny Riegler. We want this protest to GROW. Please join us!

Ways you can help:

Protest Patrol
These protests pop up at the last minute so they can be hard to track. We’re working hard to get as many as possible in the “Protests” section (under “Events & Actions”) in the Indivisible Central Ohio website. If you’re looking to find upcoming protests, that is a good place to start. You can also check the 5050/1 webpage. 

What’s up next? 

Check out the Indivisible Central Ohio Website
Thanks to wonderful new and longtime ICO members, we are in the process of majorly upgrading our website at indivisiblecentralohio.org. Please head over there (you’re on it right now!) and explore. There are more changes to come, but in particular take a look at the Take Action tab.  

Highway Signs
Every week we plan to have a new highway sign project. Bookmark this Sign Up Genius and join the team! (We have the signs. You bring the manpower.)

We also invite you to join the Highway Sign Making Party, Thursday, 3/13, 6-7:30pm. 

Take Action this Week: Oppose these Bills at the Statehouse

Ohio’s Budget: Medicaid Trigger Language 
(Currently included in Ohio’s operating budget bill)
This budget bill trigger language is activated by a reduction in federal funds. It would immediately end Medicaid expansion in Ohio if the federal government reduces its share of paying for the program’s costs. This would discontinue all medical assistance for Ohioans covered under Medicaid expansion if the federal government decides to pay less than the 90% of its current share and cause thousands of Ohioans to lose health insurance coverage.

Ohioans most quickly affected:

  • people with chronic conditions

  • employers (whose insurance costs would rise)

  • rural hospitals (which depend on Medicaid payments)

  • children of parents who lose Medicaid coverage

What to do (LEVEL – URGENT):
Tell these legislators to REMOVE the Medicaid trigger language from the state budget.

  • Ohio House Medicaid Committee Chair, Jennifer Gross: (614) 466-8550; rep45@ohioHouse.gov

  • Ohio House Medicaid Committee Vice Chair, Tim Barhorst: (614) 466-1507; rep85@OhioHouse.gov 

  • Ohio House Finance Committee Chair, Brian Stewart: (614) 466-1464; rep12@ohiohouse.gov 

  • Ohio House Finance Committee Vice Chair, Mike Dovilla: (614) 466-4895; rep17@ohiohouse.gov

Sample Script:
My name is ______ and I’m calling from [full address if leaving a message]. I want [elected official's name] to help remove Medicaid trigger language from Ohio’s budget bill. If this trigger language is activated by a reduction in federal funds, it could immediately end Medicaid expansion in Ohio, and cause many thousands of Ohioans to lose health insurance coverage. This would hurt people with chronic conditions, rural hospitals, and employers, whose insurance costs would rise. I urge [elected official] to help REMOVE Medicaid trigger language from Ohio’s budget. Thanks for your consideration.

Want to know more? Read this


SB 63 – Prohibit Use of Ranked Choice Voting; Withhold Funding for Use
Primary sponsors: Theresa Gavarone (614-466-8060; gavarone@ohiosenate.gov) and William DeMora (614-466-4583; demora@ohiosenate.gov). SB 63 would generally prohibit the use of ranked choice voting and withhold Local Government Fund distributions from a municipality or chartered county that uses ranked choice voting.

What To Do:
Contact these members of the Senate General Government Committee: 

Sample Script:
My name is ____________ and I’m calling from [provide your address if leaving a message].  Banning ranked choice voting prevents localities from making elections freer and fairer. Ohioans are losing faith in democracy because it limits voter choices and does not require a majority to win. When Ranked Choice Voting is used, candidates can win with support from a majority of voters. Also, it rewards more positive, issues-focused campaigning. Local governments should be able to make decisions based on their needs, and not on a voting approach dictated by state government. I urge [elected official] to say no to SB 63.

Want to Know More? Read this


SB 113 – Prohibit Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Public Schools
Andrew Brenner (614-466-8086; brenner@ohiosenate.gov) is this bill’s primary sponsor. Also see Ohio Republican state senator wants to ban diversity and inclusion efforts in public schools. SB 113 received a first sponsor hearing on 3/4/25.

What To Do:
Contact these members of the Senate Education Committee:

Sample Script:
My name is ______ and I’m calling from [full address if leaving a message]. We are a very diverse nation, and that’s a fact we should celebrate, especially in our public schools. Students should be able to learn about democracy and the goal of preserving “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” for ALL citizens. Don’t we want our students to understand equity – basic fairness? And shouldn’t teachers include ALL students? Banning diversity, equity and inclusion from our public schools is anti-democratic, and I urge [elected official] to say no to SB 113.

Ideas and Inspirations for You

Upcoming Events (Calendar view) 

Thursday, 3/13/2025: Thursday Action Group Meeting, noon-1:30. Please join us for an informal, catch-up meeting. We will welcome new members and have a general discussion about important Statehouse bills, personal reactions to (and stories about) the national scene, protest activity, etc., and how we are choosing to stay sane in a world turned upside down. Join the Zoom call HERE. 

Friday, 3/14/2025: Defend Democracy Rally, 4-6pm, 29 Park Ave E, Mansfield. The Trump Administration is running roughshod over democracy and filling their pockets with our money. Join us at the Gazebo on the Square in downtown Mansfield to shout: NO to Trump! NO to Musk! NO to the Kleptocracy!

Saturday, 3/15/2025: March Against Tyranny, noon-3pm, Ohio Statehouse. Tyranny is cruel or oppressive government rule. We will March against tyranny to show the people of Ohio will not tolerate this!

Tuesday, 3/18/2025: Know Your Rights training program about immigrants' rights!, 6pm via Zoom. JOIN the call HERE. In this approximately two-hour presentation, Jessica Ramos from Legal Aid Society of Southwestern Ohio will discuss the legal rights that immigrants have and how they can best be used in the face of ICE enforcement. It also talks about what rights immigrant advocates and allies have in doing their work in the immigrant community. 

Tuesday, 3/18/2025: Build a More Tolerant Westerville City Council, 7pm, 229 Huber Village Blvd, Westerville. Join us at this meeting of Westerville City Council to help build a more welcoming council. Every regular meeting of the Westerville City Council opens with a prayer, usually from Christian clergy, as an invocation. In addition to breaking down the barrier between church and state, these prayers create an unwelcoming environment for those of different denominations, other religions, or no religion at all. The Westerville City Council is considering bylaw updates, and the removal of the invocation has been proposed as one potential update. Please join us to support this change. We invite people to speak in support during public comments (3 minutes maximum, no. Wed to sign up in advance). 

Thursday, 3/20/2025: The Secret Catholic Cult Affecting Your Life, 5pm, 118 North Columbus Street, Lancaster. Opus Dei is a secretive cult within the Catholic Church that is having increasing influence over not only the church but U.S. politics. Learn more from our guest speaker about how they contributed to Project 2025. Opus Dei clearly states that it does not believe in the separation of church and state but wants to see a "symbiotic relationship." Five of our six Catholic U.S. Supreme Court Justices have a connection to or are members of Opus Dei, as are William Barr, Steve Bannon, JD Vance, Leonard Leo of the Federalist Society, and many contributors to the Project 2025 document. Pope Francis has tried to put some limits on them. They have been accused of human trafficking and are quite experienced at building up financial reserves and keeping at arms' length from any controversy. They are the Catholic version of Christian Nationalists. Join us for a discussion of their involvement and share ideas on how we can minimize their influence in our world.

Thursday, 3/20/2025: Ramp Up for Repro - Virtual (Central and Southern Ohio), 6- 7:30pm, via Zoom. From Abortion Forward. “Our monthly Ramp Up for Repro trainings will further acquaint you with political advocacy tactics, repro lingo, and help you find the best way to get involved. Every month, we'll dive into movement ecology, abortion messaging, the current landscape of abortion access, and provide next steps for you to take action! The majority of the content of this training does not change between sessions, with the exception of current events and policy updates. In an effort to create a safe and secure space for all participants to engage, these trainings are not recorded. This session is targeted towards central and southern Ohio, but you do not have to be located in this area to attend.

Saturday, 3/22/2025: Indivisible Central Ohio Town Hall Meeting, 2pm, Valley Dale Ballroom, 1590 Sunbury Rd, Columbus. We’re inviting our Senators and local members of Congress to answer constituent questions about Elon Musk’s dismantling of the federal government, the potential government shutdown, the Trump/Republican TaxScam, and attacks on Medicaid. We'll be there, whether or not our invited guest show up. Let's bring a crowd of constituents and demand answers!

Saturday, 3/22/2025: Protest for Democracy, 2pm, Ohio Statehouse. “Join me in protesting the Trump administration! This protest is in organized by The Mayday Coalition project.”

Monday, 3/24/2025: Save the Date: An Evening with Loretta Ross, 5-6:30pm. The FREE Center is thrilled to welcome academic, feminist, and activist Loretta Ross. Ross is a cofounder of SisterSong and Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, and is one of twelve women credited with coining the phrase and framework “reproductive justice.” Learn more here.

Monday, 3/24/2025: CRIS Good Neighbor Training for Indivisible Central Ohio, 6-8pm, CRIS Office, 4645 Executive Dr., Columbus, OH and virtually via Zoom. The Good Neighbor training covers the basics on the current & historical context of refugees in the US, and why it is important to support our new refugee neighbors. It also details some of the local and national challenges that refugees currently face while working towards self-sufficiency and integration. The mission of the Good Neighbor Training is to increase awareness about the contributions of refugees in Central Ohio and to provide a guide to building relationships with and supporting our new American neighbors in our everyday lives. It is also the first step to becoming a volunteer with CRIS. This session is specifically for Indivisible members! Register HERE.

Sunday, 3/30/2025: Postcard Party for Democracy! 6-8pm, 219 W Dublin Granville Rd, Worthington. Let’s stand up for democracy while building a community via a postcard writing party. We will supply cards, snacks and drinks. Feel free to bring anything to make the postcards more fun to read with stickers or markers. For those who are able, stamps are appreciated. Register HERE. 

Wednesday, 4/2/2025: Voter Registration Training with Indivisible Central Ohio, 7-8pm via Zoom. Learn the ins and outs of registering voters in Ohio, including recent changes to the law. Register HERE. 


Mia for the OHCentral Team

Enjoying this newsletter? Forward it to a friend!

Find us at our website indivisiblecentralohio.org. Follow us here and on our public and closed Facebook pages to stay current with all our activities. Add our Indivisible Central Ohio Google Calendar so you can follow all our events. You can also follow us on Threads, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. 

Update your email preferences need to update your email, or if you’d like to be removed from our mailing list.  

Copyright © 2025 Indivisible Central Ohio, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.








Indivisible OH12
Previous

Waving Towards Freedom: Protest Party on North Broadway!
Next

ICO Member Highlights: Columbus Dispatch Letters to the Editor