Primary Election May 4, 2010

Ohio's Election is Tuesday May 4, 2010. Voting information is available from the Secretary of State's office.

There are two statewide issues. Issue 1 authorizes $700 Million in General Revenue Bonds to promote economic growth. Issue 2 moves the location of the previously approved Columbus casino. [More]

Voters are encouraged to study, pray and reflect upon these statewide issues. The Catholic Conference of Ohio believes each of these issues involves prudential decisions. Conscientious voters may arrive at differing positions on these issues. The Catholic bishops of Ohio have chosen not to recommend a position on these issues.

Ohio Legislative Action Alerts

Contact Your Elected Officials, Ask Them To Support Legislation Addressing Human Trafficking & Payday Lending Reforms

The Catholic Conference of Ohio supports SB 235 & HB 493 that specifically prohibits human trafficking within Ohio law. Human trafficking is a horrific crime against the basic dignity and rights of the human person.  Ohio is one of only seven states without a specific felony offense of human trafficking.

Action Alert regarding Human Trafficking

Catholic Conference of Ohio's page on Human Trafficking

The Catholic Conference of Ohio supports continued reform of Ohio’s payday lending practices. House Bill 486 provides consumer protections consistent with the intent of Ohio’s 2008 Payday Reform Act. HB 486 will help protect borrowers from excessive payday lending fees, while allowing lenders to maintain reasonable cost-of-business fees.

Action Alert regarding Payday Lending Reform

Catholic Conference of Ohio's page on Payday Lending

Statehouse (800) 282-0253

Ohio has scheduled one execution per month through November 2010. The next execution is scheduled for May 13, 2010 [More]

Catholic Conference of Ohio's page on Capital Punishment

The Catholic Conference of Ohio continues to advocate for the restoration of chartered-nonpublic school monies cut from the state budget. These monies help students in Catholic schools. Provisions were adopted in HB 318 that may allow some level of restoration, provided certain budget surpluses occur. The Conference is concerned that surpluses may be slight, and is pursuing additional funding possibilities. [More]

Catholic Conference of Ohio's page on Education

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic organizations nationwide have formed the Catholic Campaign for Comprehensive Immigration Reform which supports the following:

• a path to citizenship for the 10-12 million undocumented people in the U.S.;

• reform of our employment-based immigration system, so that migrant workers can enter the United States and work in a safe, regulated and humane manner;

• reform of the family-based immigration system, so that waiting times or backlogs to reunite families are significantly reduced;

• restoration of due process protections for immigrants; and

• policies to address the root causes of migration, such as economic development in poor countries.

Catholic Conference of Ohio's page on Immigration

As implementation of the Healthcare Reform Act proceeds, the Catholic Bishops call for civility within the ongoing debate, vigilance in monitoring the abortion-related provisions, and continued advocacy to address profound flaws related to abortion, conscience protections, and needed coverage for immigrants. [More]

Catholic Conference of Ohio's page on Healthcare Reform

Tim Pond Retires from the Catholic Conference of Ohio after Twenty-One Years as Associate Director for the Department on Health Affairs. Thank you, Tim!! [More]

Location: 9 E. Long St. Suite 201, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: 614-224-7147 / Fax: 614-224-7150
Web: www.ohiocathconf.org