A coalition to end debt-related driver's license suspensions in Ohio.
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policy matters
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Drive to Justice is a coalition of community-based organizations (Neighborhood Connections, Policy Matters, Building Freedom Ohio, and Towards Employment) advocating to end debt-related driver’s license suspensions in Ohio. By providing education and support while connecting with policymakers, Drive to Justice aims to mobilize and empower community members around the issue of debt-related driver’s license suspensions, ensuring that public policy is informed by the views of Ohioans most affected by these policies.
Currently, a driver’s license can be suspended due to the inability to pay for child support or court fees and fines, the failure to attend traffic court and even missing insurance payments. Approximately 60% of Ohio driver’s license suspensions are debt-related, with these suspensions disproportionately impacting impoverished communities. 82% of Ohioans drive themselves to work, with only 1.4% relying on public transportation. How can someone earn the money to pay for child support or a court fee if they can’t get to work?
Updates on SB 37
- In June, the Ohio Senate passed S.B. 37 through the senate, but substantially changed the original bill. Those amendments restored suspensions for failure to appear in court as well as insurance debt, and narrowed opportunities for individuals who owe child support to retain driving privileges to drive to work. Nonetheless the amended bill still would eliminate debt-related license suspensions for thousands of Ohioans.
- The bill is currently in the House of Representatives and has been assigned to the Homeland Security Committee. This is the time for Ohioans to ask their legislators to restore protections for ALL debt-related suspensions, including those removed by the recent Senate amendments. This will only happen if legislators hear from their constituents – YOU – about the unfair burden that debt-related suspensions place on Ohioans.
- Have a story to tell? Let us know by emailing policy@towardsemployment.org
Building Freedom Ohio
Building Freedom Ohio's mission is to develop the leadership capacity of people with the wisdom of their lived experiences in the criminal justice system, to build and wield power in the grassroots driven BFO chapters throughout Ohio.
Policy Matters Ohio
Policy Matters Ohio, a non-profit policy research institute, creates a more vibrant, equitable, sustainable and inclusive Ohio through research, strategic communications, coalition building and policy advocacy.
Neighborhood Connections
Established in 2003 by the Cleveland Foundation, Neighborhood Connections is a nationally recognized community-building program. Its mission is to fuel the power of neighbors to create, together, an extraordinary world right where they live. Its small grants program is the largest in the country and is guided by a grantmaking committee of Cleveland and East Cleveland residents. The committee reviews and approves all grants. Since 2003, Neighborhood Connections has awarded more than 2,600 grants totaling more than $8.3 million.
Towards Employment
Towards Employment promotes economic mobility, focusing on those most impacted by systemic racism. We educate and advocate for a more equitable workforce system where racial income gaps have been eliminated and everyone has access to family sustaining wages and quality jobs.