RIGHT TO LIFE ACTION COALITION OF OHIO
Friday Five
Barry Sheets, Legislative Consultant
May 10, 2019
It is becoming apparent the momentum in America is
toward Life,
as many states are moving forward on Pro-Life measures.
Ohio still has further significant Pro-Life policy initiatives to adopt.
NEWS AND VIEWS
1. Lawsuit watch 3: It has now been 29 days since the signing of the Human Rights and Heartbeat Protection law, meaning only 61 days until the law takes effect. An effort was tried earlier this week to get the city of Lakewood (in Cuyahoga County) to pass a resolution condemning the Heartbeat law and to repeal existing city ordinances regarding regulating abortion facilities in the city. This could have been a move to get the city (and possibly others) to join the lawsuit as co-plaintiffs and argue that Heartbeat is a violation of municipal home rule under Ohio's Constitution (thus launching the lawsuit in state court to make the process much longer). However, because of public engagement, the resolution was not adopted and Mayor Mike Summers vowed to veto the ordinance repeal should the Council present it to him.
2. The City Commission of Dayton, led by pro-abortion Mayor Nan Whaley, adopted a resolution this week to "encourage" (read: guilt-trip) the regional health system (Premiere Health/Kettering Health Network) into signing a transfer agreement with abortionist Martin Haskell's Women's Med Center. The resolution is trying to avoid the facility's imminent closure from the rescinding of their operating license by the Ohio Department of Health for failure to secure the required agreement. Although the Commission approved the resolution, Premiere Health notes a restriction in their governing documents that prohibits the health system from entering into such arrangements.
3. Alabama's Human Life Protection Act (H314), to make performing or attempting an abortion a felony offense, is moving through their state legislature. The Alabama House passed the measure overwhelmingly by a vote of 74-3 last week. After a Senate committee this week added an amendment to insert exceptions for babies conceived as a result of rape or incest, the full Senate voted today to remove the amendment. The bill will layover until Tuesday before the full Senate votes to send it to the Governor of Alabama.
4. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 481, The Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act (LIFE). House Bill 481 is Georgia's version of Ohio's Heartbeat Bill. Unlike Ohio's strong bill, the Georgia act still allows babies conceived by rape or incest to continue to be aborted and also permits abortions when a fetus is determined to be "not compatible with life" due to serious medical issues. The measure, which is likely to be challenged in court, is scheduled to take effect in January 2020.
5. Representative John Becker (R-Clermont County) gave sponsor testimony this week in the House Insurance Committee on House Bill 182, which would prohibit public and private insurance from offering coverage for abortions. The bill would also prohibit coverage of abortifacient drugs. A provision would allow coverage for ectopic pregnancy procedures that provide for preserving both the mother and the child by re-locating the fertilized embryo into the uterus. It is possible further hearings will be held this month on the bill.
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PROFILES
Ohio Development Services Agency
The Agency is tasked with creating jobs and building strong communities, while ensuring accountability and transparency of taxpayer money and exceptional customer service. The Director is Lydia Mihalik, the former mayor of Findlay, Ohio. Mihalik was the grant administrator for the Hancock Regional Planning Commission where she was responsible for generating millions of dollars in grant revenue for local governments in the region. She serves on the Hancock County Red Cross Board of Directors and the Board of Directors for The Partnership for Excellence. Mihalik is married with three children.
Senator Teresa Fedor (D)
The veteran legislator from Toledo's 11th
Senate District is in her second term in the Ohio Senate. Fedor is a former educator and United States Air Force veteran. She is the ranking member on the Education Committees of the Senate (both Standing and Finance subcommittees) and is recognized as a legislative leader on the issue of human trafficking. Fedor has had a pro-abortion voting record during her nearly 20 years in the General Assembly.
Representative Brigid Kelly (D)
The second term member from Cincinnati's 31st
District is the ranking minority member on the House State and Local Government Committee. Kelly is a former city councilperson from Norwood. She also serves as a representative for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. Kelly has consistently voted against pro-life measures throughout her tenure.
Representative Bernadine Kent (D)
The representative from Columbus' 25th
District is a former teacher and assistant principal in Columbus city schools. Kent serves on the Federalism and State and Local Government Committees. She has consistently voted against pro-life measures during her term.
Representative Darrell Kick (R)
Kick, from Loudonville in Ashland and Holmes Counties (yes, the community straddles the county line!), represents the 70th
House District (Ashland County and parts of Holmes and Medina Counties) and is in his second term. He is Vice-Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and a member of the Agricultural/Rural Development and Armed Services/Veterans Affairs Committees. Kick previously served as former District Director to 7th
District U.S. Congressman Bob Gibbs. He has been a consistent pro-life vote during his term of office.
