
Join the Franklin County Young Democrats for a Policy Matters Panel discussion on criminal justice and civil rights. Our panelists will discuss the progress that has been made and what’s to come in 2017 and beyond.
Panelists include:
Nikki Baszynski – the president of the Columbus Chapter of American Constitution Society and an attorney in the Ohio Public Defender’s office.
Jack Guttenberg – a criminal law professor at Capital University Law School and the board president for ACLU – Ohio.
Kyle Strickland – a senior legal analyst at the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity and an active FCYDems member.
When: Monday, February 20, 2017
Where:
This event is free. As with all policy matters panels, the speakers will have some prepared remarks and then take questions from FCYDems members and interested Democrats in attendance.
So you want to understand Ohio government? Want to impact your state legislators? You’re in luck. Come to our latest “Policy Matters” panel and hear from staffers from the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus describe how things work at the Statehouse, explain how you can affect state policy, and answer your questions.
When:
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Where:
400 W Rich Event Space (400 W. Rich Street Columbus, Ohio)
Schedule:
Networking at 5:30pm
Discussion begins at 6:00pm
After the event, attendees are invited to walk over to Strongwater for food/drinks.
This event is free.
Following the success of the repeal Senate Bill 5 movement of 2011, students and others previously not familiar with the labor movement became aware of the importance of organized labor to progressive causes. Nate Hall, an FCYDems member who serves as a policy analyst for the Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters (IKORCC), is one such student.
Nate started working on behalf of progressive causes while still a student, at Ohio University in Athens. He started by working on Obama’s successful 2008 campaign and then later served as the College Democrats President for Ohio University until he worked as campaign manager for the successful race of Nick Barborak for the 5th Ohio House District. Beginning in January of 2013 Nate worked as a Legislative Aide for Representative Barborak. This gave him an understanding of the legislative process until he left the legislature to help run another Democratic House race in the difficult 2014-election cycle. This shift allowed Nate to stumble upon an opportunity to assist the labor movement as a staff member with IKORCC. Labor has been the back bone of the Democratic Party for one-hundred years, and will be for the next one-hundred years,” said Nate. As a policy analyst for IKORCC he has great concerns with continued restrictions on workers rights, and possible changes to unemployment compensation, championed in the Ohio Legislature, which will negatively impact those in construction and other labor workers who might be in-between work sites.
Conversely, Nate sees hope in advancing the ideals of collective bargaining, specifically it’s ability to bring wages up for all workers, however he still remains concerned with the continued movement of so called “Right to Work” legislation, reminiscence of the 2011 S.B. 5 fight, “It’s important for the Democratic Party to be vigilant against future efforts to constrict organized labor.”
IKORCC continues to be active in outreach to communities not traditionally represented in the Carpenters Union, such as women and the growing Latino population in the field. FCYDems are excited to have a member on the front lines of the future of the labor movement in Nate Hall.
By: Dimitri McDaniel
Serena Finlay is a Columbus transplant with a story similar to so many. She moved to the Capital City from Los Angeles to attend The Ohio State University, gaining valuable experience in internships in the public sector. Through her many opportunities, throughout her time at OSU’s John Glenn College, she was able to intern with Senator Sherrod Brown, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty and Former State Representative Michael Stinziano.
Serena deeply believes that Columbus is “America’s Opportunity City,” unsurprisingly she was able to convey this message as a campaign staff member for Mayor Andrew Ginther’s 2015 election. “In addition to the career opportunities in the many different sectors that are available, there is always a laundry list of things to do in the different communities. Another appealing aspect [of Columbus] is the affordability,” she told Joe Ryan at FCYD’s 2015 Holiday Party.
Growing up in the liberal bastion that is the West Coast, Serena saw some of the complex issues being debated in the Ohio General Assembly, especially the attacks on women’s reproductive rights as disheartening, “I don’t think they understand that millions of women rely on Planned Parenthood for basic medical care,” she remarked, but instead of accepting the Republican controlled legislature’s restrictions, these actions galvanized her commitment to public service, “I feel more motivated as a woman to work in politics and government in light of what is happening.”
Serena envisions herself living and working in Columbus in the near future and at some point working towards her Master’s Degree from the John Glenn College. Her first job out of undergrad was working for the Ginther mayoral campaign. She has now returned to the 18th House District to serve as Legislative Aide to newly appoint State Representative Kristin Boggs.
By: Dimitri McDaniel, Joe Ryan
March National ConferenceHosted by, Ohio Young DemocratsThe Ohio Young Democrats are excited to host young Democrats from around the country in the Buckeye state. The Young Democrats of America, the largest youth-led partisan political organization in the United States, announced Monday morning that their next conference would be held in Columbus the weekend of March 18-20. If you you would like to help, please contact Jen at housejr@gmail.com. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to get in engaged with Young Dems from across the state and the country. You can read the full release here. $55 Advance Registration: March 11th deadline $65 On-Site Registration Contact housejr@gmail.com for more information. |
FCYDems Early Vote Day March 12th, 2016 1700 Morse Rd. Columbus, OH 43229 FCYD will be coordinating shifts for the entire day at the Early Vote Center. Shifts will consist of passing out the Unity Ticket Sample Ballot. Shifts times include: 8AM-11AM |