RTL banner
RIGHT TO LIFE ACTION COALITION OF OHIO
Friday Five

Barry Sheets, Legislative Consultant
July 26, 2019

It's summertime and the living is easy
The legislature is on recess, but Pro-Life activity never stops.
From fair booths to sidewalk observances, Standing for Life never takes a break! 



NEWS AND VIEWS

1. A recent  article in the Columbus Dispatch had an encouraging headline: "Planned Parenthood taps national emergency funds to preserve abortion referrals." Yes, that is correct. PP is now tapping into their own "rainy day fund" as the  denial of millions of taxpayer dollars by the Trump Administration (and another $5 million with the removal of the budget amendment we discussed last installment) is making it more difficult to kill babies in Ohio.  Now it's time to look at their qualifications to be a Medicaid provider organization.
 
2. In the category of "Were you really surprised?" is the announcement by Planned Parenthood's Board of Directors of the firing of Dr. Leanna Wen as president of the organization, because she wanted to  focus on women's healthcare and not abortion on demand. Nothing like leaving no doubt as to the organization's commitment to women's health. The newly-named president of the group is Alexis McGill Johnson, a former board member who is more  focused on the politics of the movement.
 
3. Given McGill's background (explained in the linked article above), Planned Parenthood's new marketing campaign aimed at African American women fits the new mold. Using the hookline that black women are "sexy and sexual entities," the PP " Summer of Sexeffort is specifically targeted toward women of color. As Pro-Life leader Obianuju Ekiocha put it: "So of course they want us to enjoy a "Summer of Sex so they can enjoy a winter of enormous abortion profits." How about treating women, of any color or ethnicity, as thoughtful, spiritual beings who have a unique ability to bring new life into the world and not like objectified profit centers for Death Incorporated.
 
4. On a more positive note (for us, not for the abortion-on-demand crowd), a  movement is beginning to blossom in the summer sun at the local level. In a number of states, local officials are looking to make their communities safe havens for the unborn. The "sanctuary city" movement is starting to take root, and communities are looking to add provisions to their codes and ordinances to reject abortion facilities. Some communities in Ohio have already begun contacting about how to make this happen. If you talk to your local officials, see if they want to be part of this movement and let us know!
 
5. Enjoy the summer of fairs, festivals and family outings! Part of being Pro-Life is enjoying the lives God has blessed us with and enjoying His creation. 
 
 
_______________________________________________________

PROFILES

Ohio Department of Transportation
Director Jack Marchbanks, Ph.D., is a veteran of the department, having been Assistant Director for business and human resources, and also as the Department's District Six Deputy Director. He is responsible for the overall management of the department's 5,000 employees and the development of its $3.3 billion budget. Marchbanks recently earned a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from Ohio University. He also holds an M.B.A. from Xavier University in Cincinnati and a Master's Degree from Clark-Atlanta University. Marchbanks earned a Bachelor Degree in Political Science from the University of Dayton.
 
Senator Kenny Yuko (D)
The minority leader of the Ohio Senate leads a caucus of nine Democrat Senators. He represents the 25th Senate District, which is part of Cuyahoga County. Yuko lives in Richmond Heights. A former member of the Ohio House, Yuko was the organizer of Laborer's Local 860 in his hometown. The ranking member on the Senate Rules and Reference Committee, he also sits on the General Government and Agency Review Committee and the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee.  Yuko has been a consistent pro-abortion vote during his terms in the House and Senate.
 
Representative Mark Romanchuk (R) 
T he fourth-term Representative from Richland County's 2nd District (Mansfield) is a Business owner by profession. He and his wife run PR Machine Works and Slick Automated Solutions in Ontario. Romanchuk serves on the House Health and Finance Committees, and Chairs the Finance Health and Human Services Subcommittee. He also chairs the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee.  Romanchuk has been a Pro-Life stalwart during his terms in office, voting consistently Pro-Life.
 
Representative Allison Russo (D) 
The first term member from Columbus 24th District considers Upper Arlington home base. Russo has spent nearly two decades as a public health policy expert, advising on issues related to the healthcare financing and care delivery needs of seniors, vulnerable populations, Veterans, and military families. She is currently the Policy Research Director for Kennell and Associates, a health policy and finance consulting firm. She serves on the House Health, Aging and Long Term Care, Armed Services and Veterans Affairs, Financial Institutions, and State and Local Government Committees, as well as on the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee.  Russo has been a vocal pro-abortion vote during her first term.
 
Representative Scott Ryan (R) 
The third-term member from Licking County's 71stHouse District is the former Licking County Treasurer and lives in Newark. His family owns Leader Printing Company. The former chairman of the House Finance Committee under then-Speaker Ryan Smith, now serves on the Aging and Long Term Care, Insurance, and Ways and Means Committees.  Ryan has a mixed voting record on life issues, having been one of the Republican votes against the Heartbeat Bill during the last two sessions.


Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati is a proud member organization of the 
Contact: Meg Wittman, Executive Director, Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati, 513/728-7870.

Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati is a grassroots organization, which exists to ensure that pro-life principles of protection and dignity for all innocent human life are upheld and kept before the public; Jack Hart, President. Affiliated with Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio.