Karen Rainey is AAUW Ohio’s public policy advocate. In this role, she testifies at legislative hearings in Columbus regarding issues that affect women and girls.

Ohio State Legislature website: Locate your state legislator, send an e-mail, and stay informed about bills being considered.

Here are links to Rainey’s recent testimony:

• Testimony on House Bill 63, Abortion—Pregnant Minor
  Before the House Health and Aging Committee
  The Hon. Lynn Wachtmann, Chair
  March 2, 2011
  Read H.B. 63.
• Testimony on House Bill 125: The Heartbeat Bill
  Before the House Health and Aging Committee
  The Hon. Lynn Wachtmann, Chair
  March 6, 2011
  Read H.B. 125
• Testimony on SB 72, which would not provide an exception for late term abortions for the mental health of the mother
  Before the Senate Health Committee
  March 30, 2011
  Read S.B. 72.
• Testimony on HB 155: The Jessica Logan Act on cyberbullying
  Before the House Education Committee
  May 25, 2011
  Read S.B. 127, which mirrors HB 155
• Testimony on HB 78
  Before the Senate Health, Human Services and Aging Committee
  July 13, 2011
  Read more: HB 78 approved by Ohio Senate ignores mother’s mental health
• Testimony on HB 136, the Parental Choice and Taxpayer Savings Scholarship Program
  Before the House Education Committee
  Sept. 21, 2011
  Read HB 136.
• Testimony on HB 125, The Heartbeat Bill
  Before the Senate Health, Human Services and Aging Committee
  Dec. 12, 2011
  Read H.B. 125
• Testimony on HB 487, including a provision to defund Planned Parenthood
  Before the House Finance and Appropriations Committee
  April 18, 2012
• Testimony on HB 262, a “Safe Harbor” bill regarding human trafficking that was passed in the House on May 22.
  May 15, 2012
  Read more: State advocate provides testimony on Safe Harbor bill, defunding Planned Parenthood
• Testimony on HB 298, which seeks to defund Planned Parenthood.
  Opponents were scheduled to provide testimony on May 16, but only one was permitted to speak. The rest, including Rainey, provided their testimony in writing. The testimony of all Planned Parenthood supporters who were denied the opportunity to speak out against the bill at the hearing is available online.
  Read more: State advocate provides testimony on Safe Harbor bill, defunding Planned Parenthood
• Testimony on Sub. HB 59, a budget bill that seeks to defund Planned Parenthood in Ohio and potentially diverts TANF funds from their intended purpose of providing financial support for needy families in order to fund a new program, the “parenting and pregnancy program.”