Republicans Prioritize Censorship, Discrimination Over Freedoms, Economic Growth with SB 1's Passage

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Crystal Lett (D-Columbus) today responded to the House passage of Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Higher Education Destruction Act: 

“SB 1 is a direct attack on Ohio’s workers, educators, and students. By stripping faculty of their collective bargaining rights and banning strikes, this bill undermines labor rights and silences the voices of those who fight for fair wages and better working conditions. Faculty working conditions are student learning conditions, and when we weaken our educators, we weaken our schools.

This bill also sends a chilling message to all labor unions across Ohio: if the legislature can strip away the rights of one group of workers, they can come for others next. The ability to organize and fight for fair treatment is a fundamental right, and SB 1 erodes that right in ways that should concern every worker in our state. There is a reason nurses, teachers, firefighters, and police officers oppose SB 1. To these folks I say, ‘I hear you. Your cause is not lost on me, and I am prepared to fight for your First Amendment rights.’

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs are about more than fairness—they prepare students and workers to interact with people from all backgrounds, making them more effective professionals, leaders, and community members. In today’s economy, employers are looking for individuals who can collaborate across differences and navigate an increasingly global workforce. Ensuring that students have the tools to succeed in diverse environments benefits not just them, but Ohio’s economy,” said Rep. Lett.

In trying to solve problems that do not exist, SB 1 creates new issues that will increase costs, stifle growth, and prevent Ohio’s young adults from reaching their full potential.