May Newsletter 

We are excited to share the latest from CCO including action alerts, legislative news, updates, and more.

Learn more about CCO: View our brochure or visit our website.

Action Alerts

Support School Choice for All Ohio Families

Lawmakers are currently weighing state budget proposals (House Bill 33) that could significantly impact Catholic schools and students. One item still up for debate among legislators is whether to make school choice scholarships such as EdChoice, which currently provides up to $5,500 per eligible pupil in grades K-8 and $7,500 for grades 9-12, available to all students. We need your help to encourage policymakers to include this in the state budget! Click "Take Action" to send a message to your state representatives.

Abolish the Death Penalty

Our desire to foster a culture of life throughout Ohio requires a commitment to recognizing the sanctity of human life in all stages and circumstances, including those who, at one time, blatantly disregarded the humanity of others and need to face justice. Additionally, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that "the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person." It is time for Ohio to end this practice and ensure our laws respect life without exception.

Click "Take Action" to ask your Ohio Senator to support SB 101 and abolish the death penalty. 

Legislative Updates & CCO Testimonies

HB 33 - House's Budget Bill
Both CCO and Frank O'Linn, Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Cleveland, testified to support increased funding for scholarship programs at the Ohio Senate Education Committee hearing for HB 33 as the Senate considers its version of the budget. They also emphasized their support for universal school choice in Senate Bill 11, which would expand eligibility for Educational Choice scholarships. 
 

HB 7 - Strong Foundations Act
The CCO testified in support of HB 7, the Strong Foundations Act which would support mothers and babies to address maternal and infant mortality and improve health and developmental outcomes. CCO stressed the importance of the family as the foundation of society and the Church’s commitment to solidarity with the marginalized, which this bill upholds. Reference was also made to the Catholic Charities and programs like Walking with Moms in Need in which the Church accompanies and supports women, children, and families.  

HB 118 - Exempting Baby Products from Ohio Sales Tax
On Tuesday, May 23, CCO testified in support of House Bill 118. CCO views this bill as a clear opportunity to promote the common good by easing the financial burden of families with young children. Low-income families with newborn children would particularly benefit as they pay a larger share of their income in the form of Ohio sales tax. As Pope St. John Paul II wrote in his “Letter to Families,” the common good is most realized “in the newborn child.”

HB 106 - Pay Stub Protection Act
CCO testified in support of HB 106 which would require employers to provide earnings and deduction statements for each employee. In the testimony, CCO shared that the USCCB Pastoral Letter on the U.S. Economy speaks to the fundamental right to make a living and calls for protection in the form of fairness in all agreements and transactions. By providing transparency between businesses and workers, this bill would help assert that the workers' dignity is not less than their employers and help defend working Ohioans from wage theft.

August Special Election

Issue 1 Ballot Language
Issue 1 will be voted on in a special election on August 8, 2023 and asks voters if Ohio should “Require that any proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Ohio receive the approval of at least 60 percent of eligible voters voting on the proposed amendment.” 
Click to read the Issue 1 ballot language >
Click to read the Issue 1 explanation >

Important Dates

• Monday, July 10: Deadline to Register to Vote or Update Voter Information
• Tuesday, July 11: Absentee and Early In-Person Voting begins
• Sunday, August 6 at 5:00 pm: Early In-Person Voting ends
• Monday, August 7: Last day to drop off or postmark your Absentee Ballot
• Tuesday August 8th: ELECTION DAY

If you'd like to hold a non-partisan voter registration event at your local parish, the CCO has put together this helpful resource: Guide to Holding a Voter Registration Drive

CCO Updates

Defeat Ohio's Proposed Abortion Amendment Campaign Launch (November Ballot)
The dignity of life in its earliest stages is threatened by a proposed Ohio Constitutional amendment, to be voted on in the November 7th election, to expand and enshrine abortion at the expense of protections for preborn children and women. As Catholics, we cannot remain on the sidelines when confronted with such a clear threat to human life. 

Hopefully you have seen prayer cards and a flyer from the CCO in your Ohio Catholic parish these past few weeks. Access additional resources to pray, learn about, and help defeat this dangerous amendment in November at: www.ohiocathconf.org/protect.

We're Hiring: Associate Director of Education
The Associate Director of Education provides leadership and advocacy for the Conference’s activities related to educational issues, particularly those affecting Catholic school communities. They monitor, evaluate, and propose responses to legislative and public policy issues and interpret educational laws, rules, and policy proposals for their impact on Catholic schools, students, families, and educators. This position also convenes regular meetings for diocesan superintendents of schools and gathers other program directors or diocesan staff, as needed.

View Full Job Description >

Special Feature

Month of Mary

The tradition of the Catholic Church dedicates the month of May to Mary, the Mother of Jesus. May is when spring is at the height of beauty as nature renews itself. Through Mary, the world was renewed when she gave birth to our saviour, Jesus Christ.

In these last days of May, we turn to Mary and ask her to help renew our hearts and to grow ever closer to her Son. 

Let Us Pray

Hail Mary

Hail, Mary, full of Grace, 
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed are thou amongst women 
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners 
now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.