House Resolution HCR 22 - Ohio school children grades 1-12 to read The Declaration of Independence in the 2025-2026 school year in celebration of our nation's 250th Birthday. 

President Trump’s 250th Celebration Initiative is already planning many meaningful celebrations in recognition of the longest standing republic in world history. This will be a wonderful complement to that initiative.

It has often been said that the fireworks are in the documents. John Adams said in a letter to Abigail Adams concerning the signing of the Declaration of Independence, “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

Real Estate Tax Reform will be an issue that OCA will work on in 2025 with citizens groups across Ohio.

Inflation and the cost of living are bearing down on our seniors, those on fixed incomes, and young families as they struggle to pay for the essentials. The increased real estate tax assessments of the last year have grown between 20% and 30% for most Ohioans. This not only affects homeowners, but rents increase when real estate taxes go up; everyone is affected. And the caps on increases that we seek will benefit everyone. We will have a 3-pronged approach to the issue: Urging the General Assembly to act to put meaningful real estate tax reform in the budget, working with local officials to enact a self-imposed cap- giving relief to residents, and organizing for a ballot issue if local officials and legislators don't act.

Stop Mobile Phone Casino Gambling – The Largest Expansion of Gambling in Our State’s History

H.B. 298 & S.B. 197 constitute the largest gambling expansion to date in Ohio history. The four casinos approved by voters in 2009 only consisted of four specific locations where gamblers would have to go to access the casinos. During the Kasich administration in 2011, gambling was expanded again at seven racetracks known as the racinos. In 2021, Governor DeWine expanded gambling with sports betting. The Ohio Christian Alliance, along with other conservative and faith organizations, has long opposed gambling expansion in the state of Ohio. The pastors in our network know from first-hand experience the absolute scourge the problem gambling can be for individuals and families. Long counselling hours have been logged by these pastors, dealing with the grief and loss of those who have lost their homes, families, and self-worth due to gambling addiction.

Calls to Ohio’s problem gambling helpline increased 55% in the first year of legalized sports betting (2023). There was a 277% increase in helpline calls related to sports gambling in January 2023 compared to January 2022. The top reasons for calling the helpline have shifted towards daily fantasy sports and sports betting. (Reported by United Way of Greater Cleveland, March 20, 2024, and The Columbus Dispatch, Feb. 13, 2024).

If H.B. 298 & S.B. 197 are passed, problem gambling will explode. Most vulnerable are 18–24-year-olds, who have the highest risk for problem gambling. Whereas previous efforts to legalize gambling in Ohio have been restricted to four casino locations, seven racinos, and sports betting, H.B. 298 & S.B. 197 now constitutes a casino in your pocket with your mobile device, a seven-day-a-week, 24-hour casino. This is a disaster of epic proportions. The rates of problem addiction in the state of Ohio will explode and take a huge human toll on our citizens. In 2012 the percentage of Ohioans with a gambling problem was 5.7%. In 2022 it jumped to 19.7%. Twenty percent of problem gamblers have attempted suicide. Now, with the proposed internet mobile expansion of H.B. 298, the rates of problem gambling will increase dramatically, and with it the human toll. Better minds must prevail and stop H.B. 298 & S.B. 197 from becoming law. That is why we, along with a number of faith and family organizations, are urging a no vote on H.B. 298. & S.B. 197 - CALL YOUR STATE REP AND STATE SENATOR AND TELL THEM TO VOTE NO!