Proposed state bill would restrict schools from promoting levies before election day

If House Bill 264 becomes law, public schools and government agencies will be prohibited from sharing information about ballot issues, like school levies, 30 days before election day.

This proposal has left schools leaders like Poland Local School Superintendent Craig Hockenberry frustrated.

"Being so passionately connected to our school district and wanting to, you know, get the funds that we need to keep the mission going, it gets very challenging to not be able to advocate for something so important." Hockenberry. 

The bill, introduced by state Rep. Tex Fischer, R-Boardman and state Rep. Adam Matthews, R-Lebanon, would restrict government agencies from acknowledging election-related information even if the content is informational and nonpartisan.  According to the representatives, this measure would prevent tax dollars from being used for election purposes.

However, the Ohio Attorney General's office made it clear on its website that that is already not allowed, stating: "You cannot campaign or influence the outcome of a levy or bond issue using tax dollars."

This means if House Bill 264 were to become law, it would represent a new restriction on speech. 

In a statement sent to 21 News, Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio superintendent, Traci Hostetler said:  "This proposed legislation is not only concerning to our districts and other government entities, it is concerning for local voters. Voters want to know what they’re being asked to vote on. No one wants to research and seek out information, they want the information brought to them. Just as candidates use that time to speak to voters and articulate their positions, government entities should be entitled to the same."

Hockenberry believes that if the bill is approved by both the House and Senate, passing a levy will become more difficult than it currently is.

"It's going to cause problems if we can't pass levies to pay for our teachers, to pay for our buildings, to buy materials and to buy curriculum," Hockenberry said. "If the schools go down a path like that, where we're constantly on our back trying to pass levies and being so restricted, it's going to be difficult to get adequate funding."