Gary Daniels
@gdanielsohio.bsky.social
Legislative Director @acluohio working on mass incarceration, free speech, open govt, privacy, etc. Make noise. Be impatient. Fight fascism. Views are my own.
This morning, SB 87 is on the move with a proponent hearing. SB 87 is a free speech nightmare masquerading as combatting antisemitism. It is so ridiculously over the top it makes it a violation of Ohio's anti-discrimination laws to criticize Israel. For any reason whatsoever.
February 11, 2026 at 2:36 PM
This morning, SB 87 is on the move with a proponent hearing. SB 87 is a free speech nightmare masquerading as combatting antisemitism. It is so ridiculously over the top it makes it a violation of Ohio's anti-discrimination laws to criticize Israel. For any reason whatsoever.
As with redistricting reform & cannabis laws, Statehouse GOP politicians care 0% what we approved. Their energy is directed at explicitly & implicitly scrapping what the majority of Ohioans voted for & want.
www.cleveland.com/open/2026/02...
www.cleveland.com/open/2026/02...
Ohio lawmakers pressing new stricter rules for abortion pills
A Republican Ohio state senator has introduced legislation that would require patients seeking abortion pills to sign forms warning of risks that research shows are exceedingly rare.
www.cleveland.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:12 PM
As with redistricting reform & cannabis laws, Statehouse GOP politicians care 0% what we approved. Their energy is directed at explicitly & implicitly scrapping what the majority of Ohioans voted for & want.
www.cleveland.com/open/2026/02...
www.cleveland.com/open/2026/02...
In a few minutes, I'll be on Cinci's @wvxu.org ("Cincinnati Edition") discussing local govt & law enforcement use of surveillance technologies. A regular reminder - this tech is increasingly widespread throughout Ohio & with almost no local or state laws regulating its use.
February 3, 2026 at 5:26 PM
In a few minutes, I'll be on Cinci's @wvxu.org ("Cincinnati Edition") discussing local govt & law enforcement use of surveillance technologies. A regular reminder - this tech is increasingly widespread throughout Ohio & with almost no local or state laws regulating its use.
MASS INCARCERATION FAILURE
The majority of people in this jail are there pre-trial. Many/most are legally free to go if their bond is paid. But they can't afford it. We keep people in cages, at great cost(s), simply because they have no money. #bailreform
www.ideastream.org/law-justice/...
The majority of people in this jail are there pre-trial. Many/most are legally free to go if their bond is paid. But they can't afford it. We keep people in cages, at great cost(s), simply because they have no money. #bailreform
www.ideastream.org/law-justice/...
Deadly errors: Why people keep dying inside Cuyahoga County’s jail
Jail administrators fail to fix mistakes that continue to cost lives, an analysis of state records by The Marshall Project - Cleveland shows.
www.ideastream.org
February 2, 2026 at 7:06 PM
MASS INCARCERATION FAILURE
The majority of people in this jail are there pre-trial. Many/most are legally free to go if their bond is paid. But they can't afford it. We keep people in cages, at great cost(s), simply because they have no money. #bailreform
www.ideastream.org/law-justice/...
The majority of people in this jail are there pre-trial. Many/most are legally free to go if their bond is paid. But they can't afford it. We keep people in cages, at great cost(s), simply because they have no money. #bailreform
www.ideastream.org/law-justice/...
Following up on mention the other day of ICE-related bills at the Ohio Statehouse. Here is more about HB 26, HB 200 & SB 172. Among other provisions, these are all bills that would force local & state law enforcement to cooperate with ICE to enforce immigration law.
💡New legislative explainer from our Chief Lobbyist @gdanielsohio.bsky.social about not one, but three problematic immigration-related bills in the Ohio General Assembly.
www.acluohio.org/news/ohio-la...
www.acluohio.org/news/ohio-la...
Ohio Lawmakers are Considering 3 Problematic Immigration-Related Bills - ACLU of Ohio
There are three bills moving in the Ohio legislature, with SB 172 being the most problematic. SB 172 is also the one that has advanced the farthest, having passed the Senate 23-8 in June 2025 and now ...
www.acluohio.org
January 29, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Following up on mention the other day of ICE-related bills at the Ohio Statehouse. Here is more about HB 26, HB 200 & SB 172. Among other provisions, these are all bills that would force local & state law enforcement to cooperate with ICE to enforce immigration law.
FYI - There are currently 3 GOP bills in Ohio to force cities & counties to cooperate w/ICE - HB 26, HB 200 & SB 172. The latter two include requirements to hold some immigrants in jail for ICE...even after they are otherwise legally free to go.
January 27, 2026 at 7:37 PM
FYI - There are currently 3 GOP bills in Ohio to force cities & counties to cooperate w/ICE - HB 26, HB 200 & SB 172. The latter two include requirements to hold some immigrants in jail for ICE...even after they are otherwise legally free to go.
Easily the #1 reason - for the past 11-12 years - a person lands in an Ohio prison is for Drug Possession. Our prison system has been over capacity for DECADES. Yet, state legislators keep passing more & more bills to pack our prisons even fuller.
www.daytondailynews.com/local/ohio-p...
www.daytondailynews.com/local/ohio-p...
Ohio prisons short hundreds of corrections officers, led by Dayton prison
Ohio’s state prisons ended 2025 more than 500 correction officers below full staffing, with 7.4% of all budgeted positions sitting vacant and nine of Ohio’s 24 prisons posting vacancy rates above 10%,...
www.daytondailynews.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Easily the #1 reason - for the past 11-12 years - a person lands in an Ohio prison is for Drug Possession. Our prison system has been over capacity for DECADES. Yet, state legislators keep passing more & more bills to pack our prisons even fuller.
www.daytondailynews.com/local/ohio-p...
www.daytondailynews.com/local/ohio-p...
The other 364 days, the majority of Ohio politicians at the Statehouse undermine & stomp all over MLK’s vision. Today, they will shamelessly celebrate his life & accomplishments while deliberately burying MLK’s spicier takes.
January 19, 2026 at 12:44 PM
The other 364 days, the majority of Ohio politicians at the Statehouse undermine & stomp all over MLK’s vision. Today, they will shamelessly celebrate his life & accomplishments while deliberately burying MLK’s spicier takes.
Missing from this coverage is any mention of the First Amendment. Its protections wisely protect public school students from being compelled, via state law, school policy, etc., to recite the Pledge. Because forced “patriotism”
is the opposite of freedom.
www.dispatch.com/story/news/e...
is the opposite of freedom.
www.dispatch.com/story/news/e...
Can Ohio schools force students say the pledge of allegiance? What the law says
As Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate floats a daily pledge allegiance in schools, what is the current law about the pledge?
www.dispatch.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Missing from this coverage is any mention of the First Amendment. Its protections wisely protect public school students from being compelled, via state law, school policy, etc., to recite the Pledge. Because forced “patriotism”
is the opposite of freedom.
www.dispatch.com/story/news/e...
is the opposite of freedom.
www.dispatch.com/story/news/e...
The same Ohio GOP legislators who catch the vapors if you dare suggest the state does not do enough re: addiction, ODs, etc. will offer zero private or public pushback on this latest of deliberately cruel developments. Prepare to pay for more pri$on$.
www.npr.org/2026/01/14/n...
www.npr.org/2026/01/14/n...
Trump administration cuts nearly 2 billion in funding for mental health and addiction
The Trump administration has cut nearly 2 billion dollars in funding for programs that serve people with mental illness and substance abuse issues. Providers say the cuts are devastating.
www.npr.org
January 15, 2026 at 1:13 PM
The same Ohio GOP legislators who catch the vapors if you dare suggest the state does not do enough re: addiction, ODs, etc. will offer zero private or public pushback on this latest of deliberately cruel developments. Prepare to pay for more pri$on$.
www.npr.org/2026/01/14/n...
www.npr.org/2026/01/14/n...
FYI - A back door way the Statehouse is GOP is screwing with legal cannabis in Ohio. Via HB 88, if you possess ANY amount of cannabis & do not know it is mixed with ANY amount of fentanyl, you will be prosecuted under MUCH harsher fentanyl penalties, also increased via HB 88.
January 7, 2026 at 3:39 PM
FYI - A back door way the Statehouse is GOP is screwing with legal cannabis in Ohio. Via HB 88, if you possess ANY amount of cannabis & do not know it is mixed with ANY amount of fentanyl, you will be prosecuted under MUCH harsher fentanyl penalties, also increased via HB 88.
The same politicians who buried their heads in the sand re: actual scandals (FirstEnergy, etc) have instead turned their attention towards local daycares because of baseless allegations stoked by conspiratorial social media personalities. #anotherdayinOH
www.dispatch.com/story/news/l...
www.dispatch.com/story/news/l...
Ohio GOP lawmakers seek day care fraud investigation after viral claims
GOP lawmakers want an investigation into viral claims about fraud at Columbus day cares. Gov. DeWine's office says anti-fraud measures already exist.
www.dispatch.com
December 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The same politicians who buried their heads in the sand re: actual scandals (FirstEnergy, etc) have instead turned their attention towards local daycares because of baseless allegations stoked by conspiratorial social media personalities. #anotherdayinOH
www.dispatch.com/story/news/l...
www.dispatch.com/story/news/l...
HB 338, a bill to increase penalties for assaults vs prison staff, also includes various provisions to unwisely end or limit rehabilitative efforts for many serving time. Legislators forget (or don't care) almost all who go to prison eventually leave.
www.daytondailynews.com/local/hundre...
www.daytondailynews.com/local/hundre...
Hundreds of Ohio prisoners could lose access to education under House-passed prison reform bill
Several hundred inmates in Ohio’s high security prisons would lose access to Sinclair Community College’s educational offerings if a GOP prison reform bill makes it way into law, and many more of the ...
www.daytondailynews.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:40 PM
HB 338, a bill to increase penalties for assaults vs prison staff, also includes various provisions to unwisely end or limit rehabilitative efforts for many serving time. Legislators forget (or don't care) almost all who go to prison eventually leave.
www.daytondailynews.com/local/hundre...
www.daytondailynews.com/local/hundre...
While I generally agree with the goals of HB 609 regarding local govt public meetings, it's quite telling the General Assembly is NOT included in these mandates. Especially with so many recent & ongoing examples of deliberately shutting out the public.
www.cleveland.com/open/2025/12...
www.cleveland.com/open/2025/12...
Lawmakers propose requiring that Ohio public bodies - but not themselves - let the public speak at meetings
House Bill 609, a bipartisan proposal, would amend the Ohio Open Meetings Act to give residents the right to speak before officials vote on agenda items.
www.cleveland.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:09 PM
While I generally agree with the goals of HB 609 regarding local govt public meetings, it's quite telling the General Assembly is NOT included in these mandates. Especially with so many recent & ongoing examples of deliberately shutting out the public.
www.cleveland.com/open/2025/12...
www.cleveland.com/open/2025/12...
Many legislators love to cite other states doing things worse than Ohio as a reason we should change our own laws to make things worse here. Funny how that same logic *never* emerges re: making things better when other states do things better.
#ThatDogDontHunt
#ThatDogDontHunt
November 18, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Many legislators love to cite other states doing things worse than Ohio as a reason we should change our own laws to make things worse here. Funny how that same logic *never* emerges re: making things better when other states do things better.
#ThatDogDontHunt
#ThatDogDontHunt
SB 293, the controversial bill requiring absentee ballots to be returned no later than Election Day night, has been quickly scheduled Tuesday for its first House committee hearing - with a planned vote that SAME HEARING! The significance =
1/3
1/3
November 14, 2025 at 10:16 PM
SB 293, the controversial bill requiring absentee ballots to be returned no later than Election Day night, has been quickly scheduled Tuesday for its first House committee hearing - with a planned vote that SAME HEARING! The significance =
1/3
1/3
Today, I'm testifying vs HB 338, a bill responding to the killing of a prison guard last year. However, it contains many provisions eliminating rehabilitative efforts in Ohio prisons. Per usual, data, discussion, etc. on these changes is MIA among legislators considering HB 338.
November 12, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Today, I'm testifying vs HB 338, a bill responding to the killing of a prison guard last year. However, it contains many provisions eliminating rehabilitative efforts in Ohio prisons. Per usual, data, discussion, etc. on these changes is MIA among legislators considering HB 338.
After being passed by committee this morning, SB 293 is on the Senate floor today for a vote. Floor speeches will be supporters gaslighting about statistically non-existent voter fraud & how a single court decision not binding on Ohio makes SB 293 necessary.
Fresh off Election Day, the Statehouse GOP is hearing SB 293, a bill slashing early voting via mail, popular among all voters. This is the 2026 (& beyond) playbook. Politicians in power are deliberately making it harder for you to vote, for 100% political reasons.
November 5, 2025 at 5:04 PM
After being passed by committee this morning, SB 293 is on the Senate floor today for a vote. Floor speeches will be supporters gaslighting about statistically non-existent voter fraud & how a single court decision not binding on Ohio makes SB 293 necessary.
Fresh off Election Day, the Statehouse GOP is hearing SB 293, a bill slashing early voting via mail, popular among all voters. This is the 2026 (& beyond) playbook. Politicians in power are deliberately making it harder for you to vote, for 100% political reasons.
November 5, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Fresh off Election Day, the Statehouse GOP is hearing SB 293, a bill slashing early voting via mail, popular among all voters. This is the 2026 (& beyond) playbook. Politicians in power are deliberately making it harder for you to vote, for 100% political reasons.
Today, I will be testifying as “interested party” on HB 251, a bill to regulate govt use of drones. My point will be the bill contains some positive things, some negative provisions & that it needs improvement to truly & meaningfully regulate govt use & prevent mass surveillance.
October 28, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Today, I will be testifying as “interested party” on HB 251, a bill to regulate govt use of drones. My point will be the bill contains some positive things, some negative provisions & that it needs improvement to truly & meaningfully regulate govt use & prevent mass surveillance.
The Ohio House just approved SB 56, the post-Issue 2/legal cannabis bill, at 4:25pm, missing a total opportunity by 5 minutes.
October 22, 2025 at 8:26 PM
The Ohio House just approved SB 56, the post-Issue 2/legal cannabis bill, at 4:25pm, missing a total opportunity by 5 minutes.
Today, I will testify vs. HB 486, a thoroughly unnecessary bill. On its face, the legislation simply clarifies Ohio's K-12 schools + universities can teach about religion w/o violating the First Amendment. But the real goal appears to be indoctrination of our students. 1/9
October 21, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Today, I will testify vs. HB 486, a thoroughly unnecessary bill. On its face, the legislation simply clarifies Ohio's K-12 schools + universities can teach about religion w/o violating the First Amendment. But the real goal appears to be indoctrination of our students. 1/9
I hope to see you at the No Kings rally later today in Columbus. Looks I’ll be sayin’ a few words, too.
#NoKings #RejectFascism
#NoKings #RejectFascism
October 18, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I hope to see you at the No Kings rally later today in Columbus. Looks I’ll be sayin’ a few words, too.
#NoKings #RejectFascism
#NoKings #RejectFascism
A yearly reminder Columbus never set foot in the future United States, or North America, and discovered nothing.
October 13, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A yearly reminder Columbus never set foot in the future United States, or North America, and discovered nothing.
This week I testified in support of the bipartisan "Ban the Box" bill, SB 143. This legislation delays inquiries about one's criminal record when a person in that situation is at the start of the employment/recruitment process. The idea is to reduce discrimination. 1/5
October 9, 2025 at 3:38 PM
This week I testified in support of the bipartisan "Ban the Box" bill, SB 143. This legislation delays inquiries about one's criminal record when a person in that situation is at the start of the employment/recruitment process. The idea is to reduce discrimination. 1/5