On Thursday, February 23, enthusiastic non-profit partners, and parents from all over central Ohio came together to focus on clean air. Moms Clean Air Force Ohio’s Kickoff party celebrated the ongoing efforts of our amazing moms who have been working to create a movement here in Ohio. By working together, we are creating a strong collective voice that is being heard by our state legislators.
Recently, some legislators have joined industry opponents in seeking to block the Mercury and Air Toxics rule that was published in January. MCAF co-founder, Dominique Browning responded to this by saying that the opposition is not thinking about children, or about health and people. “They’re thinking about numbers.”
The final speaker of the day was Representative Tracy Maxwell Heard. She stated, “Low-income, low-wealth communities don’t even recognize they’re being impacted until the situation has become so severe.”
Representative Heard’s district in Southwest Columbus has been particularly hard hit by this issue. “I hate to say no, because I don’t want to close the door to that possibility, but if I look at the past track record….” she said, characterizing the posture of SB165 supporters. “If nothing contrary to your perspective is ever included in the process, it’s a dog and pony show.”
Representative Heard is a powerful voice that Moms Clean Air Force Ohio is thrilled to have as an ongoing supporter.
Overall, this event showed the importance of finding ways to make taking action as easy as possible for busy moms. These women have so much power right now because leaders and organizations want to hear from them.
In Ohio, moms are showing that they want to work together and Moms Clean Air Force is empowering these fantastic women so that they can do just that.
Thanks to everyone who helped create a warm Ohio welcome!