Wednesday, October 9, 2019, 3:15 PM.  Proponent Testimony for SR 211.  Move to Amend Ohio just got the news that our "We the People" amendment is on the Ohio Senate agenda. This Wednesday, Ohioans will have the opportunity to directly inform our state legislators of our overwhelming support for the "We the People" amendment. This Wednesday, the Ohio Legislature will hear proponent testimony for SR 221, a senate resolution to abolish the notions that a) corporations are constitutional persons entitled to constitutional rights, and b) money is speech. This is our chance to send a loud and clear message to our representatives that We the People want a government of, for, and by the people--NOT of, by, and for corporations.  Check out the resolution here.  Powerful corporations are influencing policies that affect every aspect of our lives.  Constitution to declare that corporations are not people and money is not speech is extremely popular among Ohioans of all political persuasions.  The influence of corporations on our public policies are unpopular, subversive and undemocratic.  The vast majority of Ohioans want, for example, good schools, clean water, sensible gun laws, ethical immigration policies, and healthcare for all. Nevertheless, corporations have gained the upper hand due to Supreme Court rulings that have over time ceded to them our constitutions rights. With the focus on the bottom-line of corporate profits, our concerns are ignored. Ohio representatives have an obligation to represent the will of the people, not the interest of powerful corporations. Vote for SR 221.  Please attend the hearing!  You can testify in writing if you cannot attend.  Please email your testimony to Senator Nickie Antonio’s aide, Taylor Phillips  Taylor.Phillips@ohiosenate.gov  by noon on Tuesday.  Also, request a speaker form to return to him even if you are submitting written testimony only. For more information, contact: Sandy Bolzenius, sbolzenius72@hotmail.com. Location:  The Ohio Statehouse, North Hearing Room, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus. 

Wednesday, October 9, 2019, 2:00 PM.  Hearing on SB 33 – the Anti-protest bill.   Hearing in the House Public Utilities Committee.  Would heighten the penalties for protests near oil and gas pipelines and other infrastructure by expanding the definitions of "criminal trespass" and "criminal mischief." Like SB 250, introduced in the 2017-2018 session, SB 33 provides that entering and remaining on marked or fenced-off property that contains a "critical infrastructure facility" is criminal trespass and a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Doing so with the purpose of "tampering with" the facility would constitute aggravated trespass, a third-degree felony--punishable by up to ten years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Knowingly, "improperly tampering" with the facility would constitute "criminal mischief," likewise a third-degree felony. "Critical infrastructure facility" is expansively defined to encompass oil, gas, electric, water, telecommunications, and railroad facilities among many others. The bill also imposes fines on organizations found guilty of "complicity" in the trespass or mischief offenses, in the amount of ten times the maximum fine that can be imposed on an individual. Ohio law defines "complicity" to include soliciting, procuring, aiding, abetting, or conspiring with another to commit an offense. For more information, contact Teresa Mills, tmills@benohio.org.  Location: Ohio Statehouse, room 116, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus,