It was great to see so many members on the call today.

You can review the slides and recording of our Coffee Time along with all the links and resources below to help you dive deeper and take action on issues you care about. Thank you for fighting for democracy!

Good Trouble

• Video–Highlights  of Good Trouble event at Second Baptist in Columbus 
• Video– Catherine’s speech 

Ohio Budget Bill (House Bill 96) 

• Appropriations took effect June 30; most other provisions go into effect September 30
• Governor DeWine removed 67 items from the budget
• Veto 66
• Ohio House votes to override one, not three, of Gov. DeWine’s property tax vetoes, Ohio Capital Journal, July 21, 2025 
• Rachel Coyle’s overview of the Ohio House override including a script for calls to our state senators

Article V webinar on August 7 at 6pm 

• RSVP
• For more info about what an Article V Convention could mean, visit DefendOurConstitution.org
• Ohio ‘state to watch’ for U.S. constitutional convention measures, concerned advocates say, Ohio Capital Journal, June 12, 2025.

Householder Scandal and FirstEnergy Update 

• HB6/Householder Timeline 
• Ohio utility regulators near decision on FirstEnergy’s punishment for HB6 scandal, Cleveland.com, July 25, 2025 
• Ashley Brown’s written testimony provided to the PUCO in May before the June hearing 
• FirstEnergy’s July 21 PUCO brief
• On July 25, 2025, the full Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder’s and former Ohio GOP Chair Matt Borges’ request for a new hearing.

The People’s Promise 

Under the Trump Administration, we are seeing what happens when the powerful go unchecked: the people’s healthcare is stripped away while the rich get richer. Together, we can push back on the attacks on our rights. We deserve a government that works for all of us including: an Economy That Works for Everyone, a Government for the People, and Equal Rights & Opportunity for All.

• Tell Congress: Deliver on the People’s Promise
• Send a letter to the editor 
• Join a Phonebank (every Tues or Thurs at 6pm ET)
• Share Your Story

Redistricting 

• DeWine promised to fix Ohio’s broken voting districts. We are waiting. Columbus Dispatch editorial, July 29, 2025 
• President Trump says he wants a “simple redrawing” of the Texas congressional map so Republicans pick up five House seats, CSPAN, June 15, 2025 
• Texas Republicans release a redistricting plan that could achieve Trump’s aims, NPR, July 30, 2025 
• Could Missouri get caught up in a redistricting frenzy? It’s looking likely, St. Louis Public Radio, July 24, 2025 
• Democrats Have Few Tools to Counter G.O.P. Redistricting, New York Times, 7/24/25

Emil Bove’s Confirmation 

• On July 29, former Trump law Emil Bove  was confirmed as a federal appeals court judge– 50-49 despite whistleblower allegations. Erez Reuveni reported that Bove suggested that the Justice Department could defy any court orders blocking the Trump administration from deporting migrants to a foreign prison under the Alien Enemies Act. Reuveni reported that Bove said the Justice Department might have to tell the courts “f‑‑‑ you.” A second whistleblower confirmed this report. A third whistleblower suggested that Bove misled Senators about Eric Adams’ pardon. 
• Grassley ‘offended’ by Trump’s pressure campaign on judges and U.S. attorneys, Politico, July 30, 2025

Civicus places US rights watchlist

• US placed on rights watchlist over health of its civil society under Trump, the Guardian, July 30, 2025 
• The “narrowed” rating is for countries that still allow individuals and  organizations to exercise their rights to freedom of association, peaceful assembly and expression but where violations of these rights still take place.
• https://monitor.civicus.org/

Upcoming Events 

• August 5 at 6pm in Dayton – Town Hall on the Future of Public Education for Children with Disabilities
• August 6 at 6pm in Berea – Town Hall on the Future of Public Education for Children with Disabilities
• August 7 at 6pm – Threat of an Article V Convention
• August 9 at 2pm in Columbus, Hands Across High Street First, sign up for the event via Mobilize HERE, and then sign up for a specific spot along the route via Sign Up Genius, HERE.  NOTE: Common Cause Ohio will be congregating in segment 24! To join us, scroll down to 24 (10th Ave to King Ave) and sign up for segment 24.
• August 11 at 5pm in Cincinnati – Town Hall on the Future of Public Education for Children with Disabilities
• August 12 at 5pm in Grove City – Town Hall on the Future of Public Education for Children with Disabilities
• August 12 at 6pm – Ohio Townhall in Cincinnati, hosted by Coffee. Compassion. Action.
• August 13 at 6pm – Fair Districts All Volunteer Huddle– Congressional Mapmaking Kickoff
• August 13 at 6pm in New Philadelphia – Town Hall on the Future of Public Education for Children with Disabilities
• August 28 at 8:30 am Coffee with Common Cause Ohio – Register
• Sept 20 from 10am-3pm The Second Annual In-Person Election Protection Summit