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The Week in Review

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This week in review is dominated by the We Are OHIO campaign kick-off. The Dispatch today

With chants of "We are Ohio," an estimated 11,000 union supporters rallied at the Statehouse yesterday to launch the effort to overturn the law that would weaken public workers' bargaining power.

The crowd was the largest since the debate over Senate Bill 5 began in February. Many also signed up to help collect the 231,000 signatures needed to get a referendum on the November ballot.
[...]
Coumbus firefighter John Capretta told the crowd that the issue isn't Democratic or Republican. "This matter is between the rich and the working-class people."

"We are the only ones standing in the rich's way to take over this country and run it like a dictatorship," he said.

Then his young daughter took the microphone: "Governor Kasich, quit messing with my daddy."

In other news we covered the devastating cuts to public education that are planned.

Be sure to also check out the pictures from the We Are Ohio rally

Top 3 Today

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Your top news stories for the day

  1. We Are Ohio Referendum Kickoff Rally
    It's where all the fun this weekend will be!
  2. WHAT PASSING THE BUCK LOOKS LIKE
    Maps of projected fiscal emergencies in Ohio School districts.
  3. Private school the daughters of Gov. John Kasich attend is closing because of budget problems
    Passed without comment.

    Have a great weekend. Share your rally pictures and stories on our Facebook page.

OEA Petition Training Schedule

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OEA is hosting about a hundred S.B.5 referendum petition circulation training sessions around the state.

You can view the schedule of training, dates, times and venues here. (pdf)

Please note these training sessions are currently for OEA Members ONLY. We're told training will be available for non members a little later.

Reach Out and Read Success

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Some good news!

Central Ohio teachers and education professionals worked together with Nationwide Children's Hospital to collect over 53,000 book and $3,000 for the Reach Out and Read program.

Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud.

Reach Out and Read builds on the unique relationship between parents and medical providers to develop critical early reading skills in children, beginning at 6 months of age. The 3.9 million families served annually by Reach Out and Read read together more often, and their children enter kindergarten better prepared to succeed, with larger vocabularies, stronger language skills, and a six-month developmental edge over their peers.

A BIG thank you and congratulations to everyone who contributed to this book drive.

SOS Husted directive to Franklin County BoE RE: SB5 petition

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Secretary of State John Husted sent the following directive to the Franklin County Board of Elections regarding the SB 5 repeal petitions that were just filed.

DIRECTIVE 2011-13
April 6, 2011

To: Franklin County Board of Elections Re: Initial Petitions Filed re: Prospective Referendum Petition Against Am. Sub. S.B. NO.5 (collective bargaining law affecting public employees) ofthe 1291h General Assembly

SUMMARY
This Directive provides instructions to the Franklin County Board of Elections on the examination, scanning, and certification of signatures on two separate petitions that have been submitted to the Secretary of State to begin the referendum process against Am. Sub. S.B. NO.5. The Board must complete its examination and certification consistent with the instructions outlined below and return its certification and the part-petitions to the Secretary of State's office not later than next Monday, Ap.-illl, 2011.

Read the rest at the link. Just a few more days to certify the 3,000 signatures!