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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>From </p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Aaron Ockerman<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>//<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>AMAZING day. Thank you to everyone who testified. Below is a short summary of the hearing from the Statehouse newspaper, The Hannah Report.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%' id=tblReport-committee-report><tr style='height:91.5pt'><td width=41 style='width:30.7pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;height:91.5pt'><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>HB225</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></td><td width=471 style='width:353.3pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;height:91.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>EMPLOYMENT-PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (Jarrells D) To phase out the subminimum wage for individuals with physical or mental disabilities, to authorize a tax credit for purchases made from nonprofit corporations that hire such individuals, and to name this act the Ohio Employment First and Greater Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act.</span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr style='height:19.5pt'><td width="8%" style='width:8.0%;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;height:19.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=471 style='width:353.3pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;height:19.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Second Hearing</span></b><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr style='height:661.5pt'><td width=41 style='width:30.7pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;height:661.5pt'><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></td><td width=471 style='width:353.3pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;height:661.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>A total of 22 witnesses signed up to present testimony \u2013 many of them in person. Christopher Sabine, Suzanne Turner, Richard Payne and Wilbert Turner represented the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio and spoke from their own experiences of being blind, some of whom worked for subminimum wage. They supported the bill\u2019s abolishing subminimum wage for those with developmental disabilities, phasing it out over five years.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Others testifying in support of the bill included Justin Blumhorst of Capabilities which provides day and employment services administered by the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) and Vocational Rehabilitation under Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD). He said, \u201cThis bill is not about shutting down providers or where they serve people. Some providers will need to shift their service models, and the timelines in this bill allow them time to renegotiate contracts and adjust to paying people at least minimum wage. Given the time and support, providers can be successful.\u201d</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Dr. Jules Patalita, a disability rights advocate for The Ability Center in Toledo said that those with disabilities will not lose jobs if this passes; rather the phasing out of the subminimum wage is a work incentive, leading to more Ohioans with disabilities joining the workforce. He also noted that, \u201cFor those few individuals who are not able to find employment afterwards, existing services such as Day Habilitation Services will ensure that the social needs of these people are met while keeping valued routine in place to create as little disruption as possible.\u201d</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Rep. McNally asked if he knew of any lawsuits occurring in the states that have done this. He said he was not aware of any.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Others testifying included Katie Thomas of The Ability Center who relayed her sister\u2019s story; Merlyase Dessert who told her own experiences living with autism; Dan Sutter, a past president of Stark County Board of DD, told of his daughter who did not thrive in segregated settings but who is now in her fourth year of community employment; Jan Dougherty; and Eric Duffy and Joe Magers.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Their testimony and those of the others who submitted written testimony can be found on the <i>Hannah News</i> HB225 bill page.</span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div id=ms-outlook-mobile-signature><p style='margin:0in'>Get <a href="https://aka.ms/GetOutlookForMac">Outlook for Mac </a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div id=mail-editor-reference-message-container><div style='border:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in;border-color:currentcolor currentcolor'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><span style='color:black'>From: </span></b><span style='color:black'>Ohio APSE <<a href="mailto:ohapse@apse.org">ohapse@apse.org</a>><br><b>Date: </b>Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 8:53</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>\u202f</span><span style='color:black'>PM<br><b>To: </b>Jeremy Morris <<a href="mailto:jmorris@ohiosilc.org">jmorris@ohiosilc.org</a>>, Destiny Kemmerling <<a href="mailto:Destiny.Kemmerling@fairfieldcountyohio.gov">Destiny.Kemmerling@fairfieldcountyohio.gov</a>>, Alex Corwin <<a href="mailto:alex_corwin@ocali.org">alex_corwin@ocali.org</a>>, Kraig Walker <<a href="mailto:kraig.walker@peoplefirstohio.org">kraig.walker@peoplefirstohio.org</a>>, Katherine Hunt Thomas <<a href="mailto:kthomas@abilitycenter.org">kthomas@abilitycenter.org</a>>, Jennifer Hudak <<a href="mailto:jhudak@summitdd.org">jhudak@summitdd.org</a>>, Mary Ellen Daston <<a href="mailto:dastonmm@gmail.com">dastonmm@gmail.com</a>>, Pam Davies <<a href="mailto:pjd@wrilc.org">pjd@wrilc.org</a>>, Steve Oster <<a href="mailto:soster@knoxdd.com">soster@knoxdd.com</a>>, Michaels.Richards <<a href="mailto:michael.richards@peoplefirstohio.org">michael.richards@peoplefirstohio.org</a>>, Eric Duffy <<a href="mailto:Peduffy63@gmail.com">Peduffy63@gmail.com</a>>, Paul Jarvis <<a href="mailto:paul.jarvis@dodd.ohio.gov">paul.jarvis@dodd.ohio.gov</a>>, Matt Onesti (<a href="mailto:Onesti.matt@gmail.com">Onesti.matt@gmail.com</a>) <<a href="mailto:Onesti.matt@gmail.com">Onesti.matt@gmail.com</a>>, Joshua Sherer <<a href="mailto:joshua.sherer@ohiohouse.gov">joshua.sherer@ohiohouse.gov</a>>, Maria Alvarez <<a href="mailto:pmgr1@ilcac.org">pmgr1@ilcac.org</a>>, Maggie O'Brien <<a href="mailto:mobrien@ohionetworkforinnovation.com">mobrien@ohionetworkforinnovation.com</a>>, Kara Ayers <<a href="mailto:kara.ayers@cchmc.org">kara.ayers@cchmc.org</a>>, Jane Gerhardt <<a href="mailto:jane.gerhardt@cchmc.org">jane.gerhardt@cchmc.org</a>>, Kerstein Sjoberg <<a href="mailto:ksjoberg@disabilityrightsohio.org">ksjoberg@disabilityrightsohio.org</a>>, Christina Langhorst <<a href="mailto:Christina.langhorst@viaquestinc.com">Christina.langhorst@viaquestinc.com</a>>, Susan Koller <<a href="mailto:susan.koller23@gmail.com">susan.koller23@gmail.com</a>>, Kim Nielsen <<a href="mailto:Kim.Nielsen2@utoldeo.edu">Kim.Nielsen2@utoldeo.edu</a>>, Crystal Lett <<a href="mailto:rep11@ohiohouse.gove">rep11@ohiohouse.gove</a>>, Beth Glas <<a href="mailto:bglas@leapinfo.org">bglas@leapinfo.org</a>>, Alicia Hopkins <<a href="mailto:Audacity2speak@aol.com">Audacity2speak@aol.com</a>>, RIchard Payne <<a href="mailto:rchpay7@gmail.com">rchpay7@gmail.com</a>>, Brian Hart <<a href="mailto:bhart@laddinc.org">bhart@laddinc.org</a>>, Amanda Hite <<a href="mailto:amanda@pegasusfarm.org">amanda@pegasusfarm.org</a>>, Jerilynn George <<a href="mailto:jerilyn.george@apsiohio.org">jerilyn.george@apsiohio.org</a>>, Suzanne Musleh <<a href="mailto:smusleh@disabilityrightsohio.org">smusleh@disabilityrightsohio.org</a>>, John Pekar <<a href="mailto:jrpekar@gmail.com">jrpekar@gmail.com</a>>, Mary Helen Richer <<a href="mailto:Mhricher@autismcincy.org">Mhricher@autismcincy.org</a>>, Carmen Shelton <<a href="mailto:carmenshelton64@gmail.com">carmenshelton64@gmail.com</a>>, Kyle Miller <<a href="mailto:kyle.miller@fairfielddd.com">kyle.miller@fairfielddd.com</a>>, Katie Watson <<a href="mailto:Watsonkatie052@gmail.com">Watsonkatie052@gmail.com</a>>, Sasi Chockalingam <<a href="mailto:sasic@dsagc.com">sasic@dsagc.com</a>>, Vic Gable <<a href="mailto:vicgable1@gmail.com">vicgable1@gmail.com</a>>, Gary Norman <<a href="mailto:ginorman15@hotmail.com">ginorman15@hotmail.com</a>>, Senator Tim Schaffer <<a href="mailto:sdistrict20@ohiosenate.gov">sdistrict20@ohiosenate.gov</a>>, Jenna Allen <<a href="mailto:jenna_allen@ocali.org">jenna_allen@ocali.org</a>>, Josh Young <<a href="mailto:jyoung@ohionetworkforinnovation.com">jyoung@ohionetworkforinnovation.com</a>>, Suzanne Turner <<a href="mailto:smturner.234@gmail.com">smturner.234@gmail.com</a>>, Dr. Carolyn Peters <<a href="mailto:Dr.Carolyn.Peters@gmail.com">Dr.Carolyn.Peters@gmail.com</a>>, Dana Charlton <<a href="mailto:OSDA2011@gmail.com">OSDA2011@gmail.com</a>>, Sahpire Murphy <<a href="mailto:saphiremurphy11@gmail.com">saphiremurphy11@gmail.com</a>>, Laura Grimes <<a href="mailto:lgrimes@laddinc.org">lgrimes@laddinc.org</a>>, Representative Jarrelss <<a href="mailto:Rep01@ohiohouse.gov">Rep01@ohiohouse.gov</a>>, Jordan Ballinger <<a href="mailto:jballinger@disabilityrightsohio.org">jballinger@disabilityrightsohio.org</a>>, Jason Harris <<a href="mailto:jharris@laddinc.org">jharris@laddinc.org</a>>, Carolyn Knight <<a href="mailto:carolyn.knight@dodd.ohio.gov">carolyn.knight@dodd.ohio.gov</a>>, Dontavious Jarrells <<a href="mailto:dontavious.jarrells@ohiohouse.gov">dontavious.jarrells@ohiohouse.gov</a>>, Brittanie Maddox <<a href="mailto:bmaddox@disabilityrightsohio.org">bmaddox@disabilityrightsohio.org</a>>, Zoe Wenk <<a href="mailto:zoe.wenk@osumc.edu">zoe.wenk@osumc.edu</a>>, Isaac Northrop <<a href="mailto:isaac@ockermanconsulting.com">isaac@ockermanconsulting.com</a>>, Amanda Hite <<a href="mailto:amanda@iesohio.com">amanda@iesohio.com</a>>, Todd Elzey <<a href="mailto:toddelzey@gmail.com">toddelzey@gmail.com</a>>, Jules Patalita <<a href="mailto:jpatalita@abilitycenter.org">jpatalita@abilitycenter.org</a>>, Jeremy Caffee <<a href="mailto:jeremy.caffee@acils.com">jeremy.caffee@acils.com</a>>, Dee Henry <<a href="mailto:dee@independencealliance.org">dee@independencealliance.org</a>>, David Mitchell <<a href="mailto:dmitchell@meorc.com">dmitchell@meorc.com</a>>, Dr. Laura Hoffman <<a href="mailto:l.c.hoffman@scuohio.edu">l.c.hoffman@scuohio.edu</a>>, Carrie Hayes <<a href="mailto:hayes43113@gmail.com">hayes43113@gmail.com</a>>, Aaron Ockerman <<a href="mailto:aaron@ockermanconsulting.com">aaron@ockermanconsulting.com</a>>, Pepper Stetler <<a href="mailto:stetlep@miamioh.edu">stetlep@miamioh.edu</a>>, Jen Powersalge <<a href="mailto:jen.powersalge@thearcofohio.org">jen.powersalge@thearcofohio.org</a>>, Melissa Engle <<a href="mailto:mengle@iamboundless.org">mengle@iamboundless.org</a>>, Jennifer Kucera <<a href="mailto:Jenniferkucera134@gmail.com">Jenniferkucera134@gmail.com</a>>, Justin Blumhorst <<a href="mailto:justin.blumhorst@capabilitiesinc.biz">justin.blumhorst@capabilitiesinc.biz</a>>, Will Bagnola <<a href="mailto:wbagnola@clarkdd.org">wbagnola@clarkdd.org</a>><br><b>Subject: </b>House Bill 225 Testimonies<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Hi everyone,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I wanted to take a moment to share how today went at the statehouse. The room was full.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I know that not everyone was able to attend in person or submit testimony, especially given the short notice. Please know that your ongoing support, behind-the-scenes effort, and advocacy are very much appreciated. Today's impact was built on the foundation of the work we all continue to do together, in many different ways. For those who were able to submit testimony, I've attached their statements here. Each one added a vital voice to the conversation and helped shape the tone and strength of the day.<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message>Thanks for everything you do, in whatever way you're able to do it. We are moving forward because of all of you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message>Jan<o:p></o:p></p><p class=ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message>On a side note:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message>My good friend John Bryson, a national advocate for disability employment, said we needed a slogan\u2014so he created this one: \u201cFair Pay or Fail Us.\u201d What do you think?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message><br>The image below is a round button with a blue and red background. In bold white letters, it says: \u201cFair Pay or Fail Us.\u201d<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=116 height=115 style='width:1.2083in;height:1.1979in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:ii_maon9krm21"><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div></body></html>