This email was sent to all subscribers on July 15, 2025. To be added to our subscriber list, click here.
Dear friends,
It’s been a tough month, with the signing into law of the Big “Beautiful” Bill, the ramping up of immigration raids and arrests, and the disappointment that the citizens-led petition to repeal SB1 did not get enough signatures to move forward. Nonetheless, we continue to do what we can to promote democracy and participation in fact-based and sensitive political discourse. Even the very small steps are important: calling our elected representatives, talking with neighbors, and representing Knox Dems at public events like the Knox County Fair and First Fridays.
- Calling our representatives:Don’t forget about the 5 Calls app, or send an email to Joan Slonczewski to sign up for her daily calls email.
- Talking with neighbors:A number of us have been knocking doors of people on a list of regular voters who are not affiliated with either political party. The goal is to get to know these folks so we can be well prepared ahead of the 2026 election. We are asking these folks about issues of most concern to them, and it is fascinating! We go out in pairs, so if can help us (and we do need help!) we will pair you with an experienced canvasser. Please sign up here if you can help us!
- Public events:As usual, we’ll have a booth again at the Knox County Fair (July 19-26) and at August’s First Friday on Main Street in Mount Vernon (August 1). We hope you’ll come visit us at either event, or both!
IN OHIO NEWS
With everything going on in Washington, D.C., it can be easy to lose sight of critical issues in Columbus. Here’s information about two Ohio issues:
Property Taxes
The attempt to eliminate property taxes completely via a citizens-led petition has failed. They were not able to get enough signatures. Still, there has been other activity in the statehouse relating to property taxes.
Last month, the Ohio legislature passed a budget that included several items relating to property tax. But then Governor DeWine used his line-item veto power to remove some of those property tax items from the bill he signed into law.
However, they are not done yet with the budget games. Just the other day, Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman announced that House legislators have been called back to the statehouse for July 21, to try to override three of Governor DeWine’s line-item vetoes.
Details on the line items in question are available in this article from The Capital Journal.
Like all things relating to property taxes, these items are complicated, but, according to the Capital Journal article, Ohio Education Association president Scott DiMauro claims that the Ohio legislators were “trying to solve their property tax problem on the backs of Ohio’s public school students,” and he is hoping that legislators will use some common sense and refuse to override these vetoes.
If you want to make your opinion known on these items, please call our state reps – Mark Hiner (District 98, eastern Knox County, phone: 614-466-2994) or Beth Lear (District 61, western Knox County, phone: 614-466-1431).
Ohio Equal Rights Amendment
The proposed amendment text for an Ohio ERA was initially accepted, but late last week the Ballot Board insisted on dividing it into two amendments. This could make it more difficult to pass.
One of the two amendments would overturn the Ohio constitution’s ban on gay marriage – needed to protect this right even if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Obergefell, as many worry. The second amendment would add language to the state’s constitution protecting citizens from discrimination based on “race, color, creed or religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression regardless of sex assigned at birth, pregnancy status, genetic information, disease status, age, disability, recovery status, familial status, ancestry, national origin, or military and veteran status.”
As of this writing, it’s not clear if the group leading this effort will challenge the ruling in an attempt to get it back to one amendment or if they will decide to go forward with two separate amendments. Keep your eyes on this one. Once the amendment text is finalized, we will undoubtedly work to get signatures on petition(s). And if we can get adequate signatures (throughout Ohio), the amendment (or amendments) will appear on the ballot in November 2026.
LOOKING TOWARDS 2026
Bryan Hambley is a candidate for Ohio’s Secretary of State. If he wins the Democratic Primary (in May of 2026), he will be on the ballot in November 2026.
It may seem early to be thinking about 2026, but with Ohio’s extreme gerrymandering and threats to voting rights, the Secretary of State is an especially critical position. Mr. Hambley is coming to Knox County to meet with us, and you can meet him via Zoom on August 26 at 7:00 pm. Please register for the Zoom event with this link. Registration is required by end of day August 19, and participation is limited.
I hope to see you soon at one of our events. Our office at 9 E Vine Street in Mount Vernon is usually open 11 am – 3 pm Wednesdays and Saturdays, but we will be closed during the Knox County Fair, between July 19 and 26. Come see us at the Fair, or at the August 1 First Friday!
All my best,
Kathy Tate
Chair, Knox County Democratic Party