Latest news with #HB72
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kiss those championships goodbye. Anti-diversity bill will hurt OSU football
Say goodbye to your Buckeye National Championship football teams. You may not be that interested our concerned about the bill going through the Ohio legislature right now that changes higher education in Ohio, but consider this, Buckeye fans: Are any high-quality minority players going to come to a state that doesn't allow programs that benefit, or even recognize, diversity? They'll go elsewhere. Angela Smith Alder, Canton Historically before we had income taxes, our federal government was funded by tariffs. Once the income tax started, tariffs mainly stopped. Since President Donald Trump is reimposing tariffs, will our income tax come down? Hope so. It is the logical thing to do. We need a break (not just in eggs). David A. Kunkler, Rushville Re letter "Bathroom obsession is stupid," Feb. 26: The writer asked why our government was involved and passing legislation on who was going into middle school girls' restrooms. I think I can answer that. The first thing you must do is remove politics from the discussion. First thing is, it's plain common sense. No male, regardless of who or what you identify with, has any business entering a women's restroom, period. It's not too much to ask for: you to use your assigned gender's restroom. And yes, you do have one. If you can't figure that out, go see the nurse or ask your parents; they'll know. The policy is intended to protect the privacy and security of other students. I agree and personally find it disturbing that the government should even have to waste its time on such matters, but someone had to be the adult in the room. And I also agree with the banning of men in women's sports. In an era of teenage mental health issues, insecurities and confusion, someone had to do the right thing. Be an adult, do the right thing and guide these children until they become adults. But not in our schools. They need to learn the word "no." James J. Smith, Columbus As each new Ohio General Assembly begins to function, it is always interesting to observe the change in emphasis that elected state legislative members make. On their campaign trails, candidates emphasize speaking truth to power, but once elected and sworn in, Ohio legislators become quite effective at shifting their emphasis to "go-along-to-get-along" methods as they begin to function in the ongoing Statehouse culture. House Bill 72 is a current example. The proposed bill tries to combine the banning of capital punishment with banning state funds for abortion and medical aid in dying for the terminally ill into one large law when these three topics have distinctly different constituencies with different pros and cons to be considered. I urge Columbus Dispatch readers — and the editorial board — to oppose HB 72 and advocate for addressing these important subjects in separate legislation proposals. It does appear that the motives behind HB 72 are to serve particular interests of a few, rather than an earnest effort to address the broad — and different — views Ohioans have on each of these important topics. Citizens need to make their voices heard at the Statehouse with their letters and committee hearing testimonies! Don Thompson, Hilliard On Feb. 13, 2009, I became a U.S. citizen. Since that day, I have been proud to be Brazilian by birth and American by choice. As I celebrate the 16th anniversary of my citizenship, I remain proud to be an American. However, I am concerned about the direction our country is taking under President Donald Trump and pseudo-president Elon Musk. Using immigrants and refugees as political pawns while attacking diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is dehumanizing and irresponsible. Recent executive orders have suspended refugee resettlement even for Afghan allies who assisted the U.S. military while prioritizing the resettlement of Afrikaners (white South Africans of Dutch descent). Immigrants and refugees from all backgrounds strengthen communities by bringing diverse perspectives, skills and cultures. They contribute to local economies by starting businesses, filling essential jobs and driving innovation. Their traditions enrich neighborhoods and foster greater understanding. Embracing immigrants and refugees leads to vibrant, dynamic and resilient communities for everyone. Racist policies and rhetoric fuel division and discrimination. Accepting them normalizes hate and undermines social unity. Everyone deserves dignity and opportunity, regardless of their background. We must reject racism and embrace inclusion for a better future and keep this in mind when voting for our leaders. Leo Almeida, Canal Winchester Recall when your kid, easily, made a huge mess of a nice bedroom (increasing the entropy or disorder) and it took a huge effort to clear it up (decreasing the entropy) as consistent with thermodynamics. It applies all over; for example, to the bombing and rebuilding of a school, and lately, the president taking a sledgehammer to our own government with the mentality of a five-year-old and then hiring the incompetents to run it. Since departments of government work together, many of us, all over, will be impacted. Think health care, food and education, travel and keeping an eye on the weather. Include the president's favorite billionaires, used to feeding at the federal trough. One can think of desirable changes, carefully put in place, not with the sledgehammer. Unconcerned? Beware your lazy complacency. Gideon Fraenkel, Columbus Re: "Springfield sues neo-Nazi group" (Feb. 10), the understandable response to the 'Blood Tribe' might naturally be disgust and revulsion. I suggest looking at them more with sadness. These poor men, (and women?) carry a heavy burden of ignorance and fear of people who are 'different' from them as well as personal insecurity about their own value as living, loving human beings. This is very possibly what causes them to lash out so pathetically against 'the others' they encounter. If only we could encourage them to lean in to their fear and come to know the beauty of people like the Haitians in Springfield and experience and share the joy of their humanity and how alike we all really are. Living in such ignorance and fear for no good reason is to be pitied. What really is disgusting and revolting is the way our new president and vice president knowingly slandered these peaceful, non-threatening visitors, who are legally here on temporary protected work status to benefit themselves and Springfield. How very much like the sad, ignorant, fear-filled Blood Tribe members these two men evidently are. Jeffrey P. Reeder, Columbus This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football will suffer if 'education overhaul' passes | Letter
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill prohibiting transgender people's access to 'female-only' spaces passes through Wyoming House
CHEYENNE — A bill prohibiting transgender people's access to women's restrooms, locker rooms and other 'female-only spaces' passed through the Wyoming House of Representatives on Friday. House Bill 72, 'Protecting women's privacy in public spaces act,' sponsored by Rep. Martha Lawley, R-Worland, is one of several bills filed this legislative session that directly affect transgender people. Lawley's bill prevents transgender people from using any public 'female-only spaces,' including public restrooms, locker rooms, gender-assigned jails and single-sex schools. A few amendments were added to the bill during its second and third readings to help with the logistics of enacting this law. Lawley successfully added an amendment to allow local governments to provide appropriate signage and adopt policies for enforcement reasons. Rep. JD Williams, R-Lusk, also successfully added a provision to the bill that would help small rural jails. Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, proposed an amendment that would protect patrons from harassment in the bathroom. She said she was worried about the potential harassment individuals could face if they don't look like the gender of the restroom they're using, she said. However, Lawley said the amendment was unneeded and could 'cloud' the intent of the bill. These civil causes of action already exist in the law, she said. Rep. Martha Lawley, R-Worland (2025) Rep. Martha Lawley, R-Worland 'It muddles what we're trying to do here in a very clear fashion,' Lawley said. Provenza pushed back, however, saying her amendment was not related to criminal or Title VI laws — it just protects people in the bathroom. 'I don't think any person should have to suffer substantial emotional distress or fear because they went into a bathroom,' Provenza said, adding this bill forces people to use a bathroom they don't feel comfortable in. 'People that don't conform to what your beliefs are about gender are still people.' Rep. Bob Nicholas, R-Cheyenne, brought an amendment, adding another exception to the bill for the 'use of a multi-occupancy changing area, restroom or sleeping quarter designed for the opposite sex when authorized by the public facility for temporary use by male or female groups and teams.' Rep. Bob Nicholas, R-Cheyenne (2025) Rep. Bob Nicholas, R-Cheyenne He said this amendment would allow smaller schools to temporarily change boys locker rooms into girls locker rooms, and vice versa, should the need arise during a sports game, for example. Lawley said the added provision was not necessary, however, since it's already provided in the bill. The Republican representative pointed to the part of the bill where it says this act would not apply to 'changing areas, restrooms or sleeping quarters that have been temporarily designated for use by that person's sex.' HB 72 passed the House on a vote of 52 to 8, with two excused. Votes against the bill included all six House Democrats, Nicholas and Rep. Julie Jarvis, R-Casper. It will now head to the Senate for further debate.
