Say No to SB 17
What is it?
SB 17 is a harmful bill introduced by Senator Shaffer (R-Lancaster), creating barriers for Ohioans to receive SNAP, Medicaid, and unemployment benefits. Under this bill, there will be requirements for personal background checks from county officials and mandates new limits for individual assets, including vehicles and household items. SB 17 will leave families across the state of Ohio with less access to human services.
SB 17 enforces identity checks in the form of a color photo on every SNAP card, creating barriers for multi-family households with more than one adult shopping for the home. SB 17 is an infringement upon the right to health care and engages in ableism by requiring Ohioans with Medicaid to work at least part-time or go to school. Overall this bill does not improve Ohioans lives during a global pandemic but furthers hardship and food insecurity.
What is OWA’s stance?
No to SB 17! This bill is rooted in racism, sexism, ableism and directly targets womxn of color, people with disabilities, and poor working-class folx. The introduction of this bill is a dog whistle for alleged fraud. SB17’s co-sponsors maintain a racist, hostile environment as Ohioans struggle to eat, find stable housing, and pay their bills. We should be working more towards providing resources to save lives, not harm them.
How can I #DoTheWork?
The work for this week is to raise awareness around this harmful bill and the impact it will have on Ohioans during a global pandemic and economic downturn. Sign our petition contacting legislators asking them to say NO to Senate Bill 17 here.
Questions? Media requests? Need more information? Contact Jasmine, Director of Policy & Social Impact at jasmine@ohiowomensalliance.org