Voices for Change

Voices for Change

by Honesty for Ohio Education
EducationGovernment
Season 2
Week 5 Recap: Ohio's "Mini Lame-Duck" Session
This week the Honesty team sits down with Danielle Firsich, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio's director of public policy, and Jamie Miracle, Abortion Forward's deputy director, to talk about the Success Sequence Curriculum, a bill that is headed to Governor DeWine for a signature. Please join us in taking action by urging DeWine to VETO SB 276.
S2 · E4
Jun 14, 2026
21:21
Week 4 Recap: Ohio's "Mini Lame-Duck" Session
This past week there was not much movement to note on priority education bills, but it was still a busy week at the statehouse. During this episode we discuss Ohio HB 795, which claims to combat Medicaid "fraud" but in reality would devastate programs that many of our residents rely on, and Senate Joint Resolution 10, a proposal that would enshrine the most restrictive voter ID requirements in the U.S. into the Ohio Constitution. We are tired of our state leaders spending time, energy, and our hard-earned tax dollars on harmful legislation that does not help any residents or alleviate the impacts of the affordability crisis, and we're sure you are too. These are certainly things we all need to remember when going to the voting booth later this year. We wrap up the episode with some good news. This week, Honesty for Ohio Education launched the Voucher Accountability Project—a campaign that serves to educate Ohioans about the voucher scam and equip engaged individuals with resources and tools to keep public funds public. We also discuss a good bill. SB 443, which would create accountability and transparency for public dollars spent on private school vouchers.
S2 · E3
Jun 5, 2026
14:26
Week 2 Recap: Ohio's "Mini Lame-Duck" Session
We are joined by Dr. Lathardus Goggins II with Applied Academic Solutions and Izetta Thomas with the Columbus Education Justice Coalition to dive into two particularly bad bills, Senate Bill 113 and Senate Bill 127. Both SB 113 and SB 127 had hearings in the Senate Education Committee on May 19th. Thomas and Dr. Goggins discuss what the real impacts would be if these bills were to become law. We need all hands on deck to stop these bills. Learn how you can take action on SB 113: https://bit.ly/NoDEI-BanOH Learn more about Applied Academic Solutions: https://appliedacademicsolutions.com/ Learn more about the Columbus Education Justice Coalition: https://www.cbusedjustice.org/
S2 · E2
May 26, 2026
52:05
Week 1 Recap: Ohio's "Mini Lame-Duck" Session
This week, we’re breaking down a rapid period that we're referring to as a "mini lame-duck session" at the Ohio Statehouse as lawmakers race to advance their bills before leaving the Statehouse for an extended summer break on the campaign trail. In this episode, we unpack what key education bill moved last week, discuss what bills are on deck for next week, and explore what it all could mean for Ohio’s public schools, students, and communities. We also dig into the results of Ohio’s May primary election and what those outcomes signal leading into the November election. This is the first in a weekly series tracking legislative action during this stretch of the 136th General Assembly. We’ll be here each week until lawmakers break—then we’ll return after the general election for the full lame-duck session, when even more is on the line. After recording this episode, we received the agenda for the Senate Education Committee hearing where several controversial bills are scheduled. Two bills we strongly oppose, SB 113 and SB 127, both have hearings. Learn more about SB 113 and SB 127 and take action!
S2 · E1
May 17, 2026
22:55
Season 1
Final Recap — Ohio Lame Duck Series
The final stretch of Ohio’s Lame Duck session is wrapping up, and it’s been a whirlwind of activity. This week, we’re diving into the chaos with Rachel Coyle to unpack the highs, lows, and everything in between. We’ll highlight key bills to watch, share updates from recent hearings, and explore ways you can continue advocating for Ohio’s future. Visit Honesty’s legislation tracker for updates, and check out Ohioans Against Extremists’ resources for ways to make your voice heard in these final moments! Support this podcast and Honesty’s advocacy work by donating today—every contribution helps us keep up the fight for inclusive, honest education in Ohio.
S1 · E6
Dec 20, 2024
20:49
Week Five Recap — Ohio Lame Duck Series
Tis the season for lots of Chaos at the Ohio Statehouse! This week Rachel Coyle joins us to discuss what happened this past week during Ohio’s Lame Duck Session. As we go into the (hopefully) final week of Lame Duck with a lot of moving pieces, there are many opportunities to Ohioans to take action and advocate on some high-priority bills. You can follow all priority legislation by visiting lameduck.wtf. For education-specific bills, visit Honesty's Legislation Tracker. Support this podcast and Honesty's advocacy efforts by donating today!
S1 · E5
Dec 13, 2024
17:45
Week Three & Four Recap – Ohio Lame Duck Series
Welcome back! We took last week off for the holiday, where the legislature was mostly on break with just two committee hearings taking place. We have officially wrapped up week four of lame duck and it was a busy one. This week, Rachel Coyle is back with us to discuss what took place this week during many committee hearings and sessions. You can follow all priority legislation by visiting lameduck.wtf. For education-specific bills, visit Honesty's Legislation Tracker. Support this podcast and Honesty's advocacy efforts by donating today!
S1 · E4
Dec 6, 2024
12:28
Week Two Recap – Ohio Lame Duck Series
Lame Duck week two is a wrap! This week, our very own Rachel Coyle will join us to discuss what all has happened. Our conversation focuses on Senate Bill 293, some good education-related bills that are moving in the statehouse, and hot gossip about the House Speaker race. Track lame duck bills – lameduck.wtf Sign up for our email list – secure.everyaction.com/APQ66uwvb0SvVrj665Oblg2
S1 · E3
Nov 22, 2024
19:37
Week One Recap – Ohio Lame Duck Series
The first week of lame duck was very busy and extremely unfortunate. This week we had Natalie Hastings, an organizer with Honesty for Ohio Education, and Morgan Zickes, Public Policy Manager with Equality Ohio, join us to talk about what happened at the Ohio Statehouse. Our conversation focuses on a bill that wants to bring religious education to the public school day and an anti-trans bathroom bill targeting K-12 schools and higher education. Want to track legislation during lame duck? Visit Honesty’s Legislation Tracker. Equality Ohio Website: https://equalityohio.org/ Honesty for Ohio Education Website: https://www.honestyforohioeducation.org/
S1 · E2
Nov 15, 2024
23:55
Lame Duck 101
Just a few days after the 2024 Presidential election, lame duck session has begun here in Ohio. On this inaugural episode, Voices for Change Host Matina Bliss and Communications Intern Leilani Negrete sit down with lame duck experts Jamie Miracle and Rachel Coyle to discuss the ins and outs of Lame Duck session in Ohio, bills residents should be watching out for this year, and ways Ohioans can get involved and make an impact in the process. Episode Guests: Jamie Miracle (she/her), Deputy Director of Abortion Forward A native of Columbus, Ohio, Jaime Miracle started with the organization as a field organizer in June 2004, moved to policy director in 2010, and became Deputy Director in 2015. Prior to working with Abortion Forward, she conducted research into vision development at The OSU College of Optometry and breast cancer prevention at The Ohio State University Medical Center. Jaime has a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy with a focus on Women’s Health Research and Activism from the Western College Program at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Rachel Coyle (she/her) Policy Lead for Honesty for Ohio Education Rachel Coyle serves as Policy Director at Honesty For Ohio Education. She is also the founder of "State Action Initiative" and Co-Founder of "How Things Work at the Statehouse." Rachel has served as communications director for a governor's race and state Senate race, worked as press secretary for a state party, and held legislative and campaign roles with the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus. Rachel has extensive nonprofit experience as well. She managed grassroots mobilization at ACLU of Ohio and served as communications director for Innovation Ohio. Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and political science from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in political communication from American University. Visit our website, www.honestyforohioeducation.org Follow us on socials @honesty4ohioed
S1 · E1
Nov 8, 2024
37:13
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