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Gary Daniels

@gdanielsohio.bsky.social
1.5K followers 73 following 320 posts

Legislative Director @acluohio working on mass incarceration, free speech, open govt, privacy, etc. Make noise. Be impatient. Fight fascism. Views are my own.

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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
What is Issue 3? The latest red meat issue to land on the ballot to drive certain voters to the polls. This tactic is openly talked about inside the Statehouse, including by those in favor. Of course, voter ID is already the law & voter fraud is very rare. www.dispatch.com/story/news/p...
dispatch.com
What is Issue 3? What to know about voter ID issue on Ohio ballot
Ohioans will decide Nov. 3 whether to approve Issue 3, which would put the state's voter ID rules in the constitution.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Notable the author of this op-ed, claiming those who oppose govt mass surveillance are essentially too stupid to get things right, was apparently a cop for 40 years, unrevealed by him or the Enquirer. Ironically, much of what he wrote is factually wrong. www.cincinnati.com/story/opinio...
cincinnati.com
Flock cameras aren't the privacy threat critics claim | Opinion
Opinion: Flock cameras help catch criminals. Don't take that tool away from police.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The best solution to prevent mass surveillance in Akron is to ban ALPRs (among other tech). The second best solution is a local law to regulate ALPRs to prevent mass surveillance as much as possible. Akron leaders have done neither. But it's not too late. www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/c...
beaconjournal.com
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Ohio's AG, once again, leans into the talking point 100% of the ALPR problem is misuse & that is all that needs addressed by lawmakers. He also puzzingly states ALPRs "are not tools of surveillance" despite all evidence to the contrary, growing every day. www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-R...
ohioattorneygeneral.gov
Statement From AG Wilson on Flock Cameras - Ohio Attorney General
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
The House bills are not yet online. Currently reviewing SB 469, which was introduced yesterday.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
In Ohio, we now have a flurry of ALPR bills: * SB 469 (Cutrona) * HB 1009 (Newman, Willis) * HB 1010 (Dean) * HB 1011 (Click) The common thread is ALL the sponsors above, at a minimum, recently voted *for* HB 251, the pro-mass surveillance drone bill, now law. #UphillBattle
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
In response to Flock/ALPR concerns, the Lebanon mayor sent Flock a series of questions about capabilities, data sharing & more. Flock refused to answer their client. Presumably because they feel it is better to lose a customer than reveal too much. www.wvxu.org/local-news/2...?
wvxu.org
Lebanon shuts off Flock cameras after company fails to reply to letter with concerns
Mayor Mark Messer sent Flock Safety a letter with 54 questions, but the company did not respond within the requested 21 days.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
This covers the governor's race. Related, I recommend Ohioans ask all candidates for (at least) Ohio Statehouse, state atty gen, city councils & county commissioners their position on & plans for ALL mass surveillance tech, not just ALPRs. Spice things up! www.cleveland.com/news/2026/09...
cleveland.com
Ohio governor candidates support reining in Flock cameras
Amy Acton and Don Kissick want to prohibit all government use of the AI-powered license plate readers. Vivek Ramaswamy has also expressed concern but offered few specifics.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
AG Wilson "said Ohio needs stronger measures to prevent and punish misuse of Flock data." Politicians who purposely limit concerns about ALPRs to misuse by police conveniently ignore the numerous other problems with warrantless mass surveillance. www.wkyc.com/article/news...
wkyc.com
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
ICE agents continue to believe they can act with impunity, harassing & intimidating those peacefully exercising their free speech rights & documenting ICE's actions. The latest @acluohio.bsky.social lawsuit pushes back, a reminder to the fed govt they are bound by the Bill of Rights.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Tonight! Find out what you can do to fight mass surveillance in your local community.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
It is not accurate to frame concerns about, and opposition to, warrantless mass surveillance as a partisan issue. As Ohioans across the entire state keep proving every day, this is an issue that crosses party and ideological lines. As it should. www.news5cleveland.com/news/politic...
news5cleveland.com
Party flip? Democrat Acton supports ICE collaboration, as GOP Ramaswamy concerned about Flock cameras
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor Dr. Amy Acton is breaking from her party to support local police in working with federal immigration enforcement.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Keep in mind, as harmful, terrible & unacceptable as Flock is, their competitors are likely no better. Society's ALPR problem is not a Flock problem. It is an ALPR problem, no matter who controls things. And, of course, mass surveillance is more than an ALPR problem.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
While elimination is the goal, any bill, law, etc. to regulate ALPRs should include (at least) a warrant requirement. SCOTUS said "get a warrant" for GPS, cell phone location info & geofencing. Very hard to believe they will not say the same for ALPRs. www.dispatch.com/story/news/p...
dispatch.com
Ohio could restrict Flock camera data, crack down on misconduct
Sen. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, will introduce a bill to limit how Flock camera data is shared and crack down on misuse.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Next week, on Wed, Aug 27, I will be part of a lively discussion about ALPRs & government surveillance at the Columbus Metropolitan Club. It's the topic on everyone's minds in 2026 (& beyond). I hope to see you there! columbusmetroclub.org/event/whos-w...
columbusmetroclub.org
Who’s Watching? The Fight Over Flock Cameras - CMC Forum
Featuring Gary Daniels, Legislative Director, ACLU of Ohio; Emmanuel V. Remy, Columbus City Councilmember, with moderator Anna Lynn Winfrey, Reporter, The
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
A natural result of a legislature obsessed with abortion, gerrymandering, trans students, making it illegal to criticize a country, Ten Commandments on classroom walls & nonexistent voter fraud. It all leaves little time for actually helping communities. www.cleveland.com/open/2026/08...
cleveland.com
Libraries feared state cuts would force hardships -- it’s happening in Cleveland and across Ohio
Libraries across Ohio are losing millions in state funding after lawmakers changed how public institutions receive dollars, forcing some to reduce hours or close branches.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Once a bill drops, it will be very telling to see who throws the Fourth Amendment overboard, arguing we must have every detail about where we travel watched & recorded by The Man for our own good. Others will remain silent either way, also very revealing. www.nbc4i.com/news/politic...
nbc4i.com
Ohio bipartisian effort would limit Flock camera use
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Flock Safety, the manufacturer of automated license plate reader surveillance cameras widely used by law enforcement, rolled out new security features in response to w…
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
ALPRs are *fantastic* if you trust Big Govt following you to physical & mental health care. Or to your house of worship. Or to the gun store/gun show. Or to the rally, protest, or meeting. Or anywhere/everywhere else. But, Ohioans are fighting back vs the Surveillance State.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
I was thrilled to see so many Columbus residents turn out Monday night to express their opposition to ALPRs & mass surveillance. All the testimony I was there for was impressive, passionate & enlightening. You’re my kinda people! matternews.org/community/po...
matternews.org
Local Politics: Flock representative leaves halfway through Columbus City Council hearing – Matter News
Of the 55 Columbus residents who signed up to speak at the hearing, only five voiced support for keeping the cameras in place.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Tonight I will speak at the Columbus Flock hearing to make 4 basic points - 1) The best & requested outcome is an ALPR ban, 2) This is not just a Flock problem, 3) This is not just an ALPR problem, 4) If no ban, then (finally) super tight regulation. www.wosu.org/politics-gov...
wosu.org
Flock surveillance cameras are watching Columbus. Here's what to know
Columbus City Council is holding a public hearing on Flock cameras on Aug. 10. Here's everything that's happened regarding the technology in Columbus.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Never accused, arrested, indicted, or convicted. But, placed on a secret terror watch list, then deliberately targeted & singled out by the federal govt, because he dared to protest against Atlanta's Cop City. #PoliceState arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026...
arstechnica.com
Activist charged with felony after giving border agent "duress code" that wiped his phone
The government says destroying his own data during an airport interrogation was illegal.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Nowhere in this coverage is there ANY indication Council is considering passing an actual, you know, LAW to end or regulate ALPRs. And because govt keeps proving it cannot be trusted with such tech, the end goal is not regulation, but total banishment. www.wosu.org/politics-gov...
wosu.org
Ginther orders Columbus police to stop statewide sharing of Flock cameras after audit release
An audit released by Columbus police found more than 15,000 possible immigration related searches, prompting Mayor Andrew Ginther to order police to stop statewide access.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Every day brings additional proof mass surveillance is not a partisan issue. That is, elected officials across Ohio from both major parties, throughout local & state govt, are the problem here. www.cleveland.com/news/2026/07...
cleveland.com
Cleveland to keep Flock cameras after City Council vote
Cleveland’s Flock cameras survived a passionate City Council debate Wednesday, with members approving a new contract for the controversial license plate reader system in a 9-6 decision.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
UPDATE: Last week, DeWine signed HB 251. Soon, it will be a crime to view someone, for any reason, via a drone, without their express permission. It also allows police to use drones to spy on us 24/7/365 as long as we are outside, no matter what we are doing or where we are going. #BipartisanFailure
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
In the meantime, HB 251 is bad for Ohio, bad for Ohioans, bad for the Fourth Amendment & deserves a veto for the reasons mentioned here & others not. Our hope is Gov. DeWine agrees HB 251 is a deeply flawed bill. 15/15
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
That is a simplified analysis. But the vote totals demonstrate relief is not on the way from the Statehouse, but rather our local communities, city by city, county by county. And later this summer, we will have a virtual toolkit to assist with those efforts. 14/15
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
So, while one side of the aisle gripes about the "Deep State," Big Government & all the rest, they have no problem with you being surveilled 24/7 by police. The other side decries tech to track immigrants, those getting abortions, etc, yet had no problem with HB 251. 13/15
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Finally, HB 251 demonstrates how surveillance tech & the Fourth Amendment still have a huge, bipartisan hill to climb at the Ohio Statehouse. HB 251 passed the House 93-2, the Senate 30-2, and the House approved the Senate's changes 81-5. 12/15
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
But, given how SCOTUS is (finally) now viewing surveillance tech & the Fourth Amendment, it is hard to believe ALPRs or drones will not be the next tech before them, with the same Fourth Amendment questions. In short, this should be another consideration re: an HB 251 veto. 11/15
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
SCOTUS came to the same basic conclusion in another case (Carpenter v. US) 8 years ago specific to other cell phone location tracking tech. That is, it is a search, get a warrant. Nobody should spend real money betting on or predicting what a court will or will not do. 10/15
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Earlier this week, the US Supreme Court ruled when law enforcement obtains someone's identity via a process known as "geofencing," i.e. narrowing down a person's location history via where there cell phone is/was, that is a "search" for Fourth Amendment purposes. 9/15
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
And, of course, HB 251 does not anticipate such scenarios as - What if it is a whole crowd? Consent from all? What if the drone operator does not plan on viewing someone else, but ends up doing so? Illegal or not? HB 251 does not say. The list goes on & on. 8/15
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
With HB 251, there are no exemptions for this consent portion. So, every single time news media views someone via drone, it is illegal unless they first get consent. The same for film makers, realtors, surveyors - literally everyone & anyone. Including those viewing police. 7/15
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
HB 251 gets worse by applying an entirely different standard to YOUR use of drones. Under HB 251, you must first get the "express, informed" consent of another if you plan to view them using your drone. This is not good & entirely impractical for First Amendment purposes. 6/15
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
The tech to do this exists now & does not involve, say, a drone hovering above your car. And it will be even more invasive as drones get modified to include automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), facial recognition & whatever else. 5/15
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
So, under HB 251, Ohio law enforcement has permission, via drone, to follow you to political gatherings & rallies, protests, your house of worship, where you get health care, treatment, rehab, etc, to the gun store or gun show, and much, much more. Literally everywhere. 4/15
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Combine this position & logic with today's (& tomorrow's) surveillance tech & it stands for the idea police/govt can watch you wherever you go, 24/7, so long as you are not in your home, where Fourth Amendment protections are strongest. 3/15
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
First, it is important to understand what HB 251 does. It essentially adopts an "all bets are off" approach to your privacy by explicitly saying police need no warrant to surveil you as long as you are in plain view. For example, driving your car down the street. 2/15
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Today, the @acluohio.bsky.social sent a veto request letter to Gov. DeWine about HB 251, a drone regulation bill. We also believe a veto is even more compelling now given this week's SCOTUS decision in U.S. v. Chatrie, a case about geofencing, searches & the Fourth Amendment. 1/15
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Legislators & supporters of SB 293 *insisted* Ohio MUST change its absentee voting laws based on one court decision not binding on Ohio. Like their BS claims of (statistically non-existent) voter fraud, it was all just a dodge to further restrict voting. ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/06/30/o...
ohiocapitaljournal.com
Ohio nixed absentee ballot grace period before US Supreme Court ruling, but court went the other way • Ohio Capital Journal
Last year, Ohio Republican lawmakers and Gov. DeWine nixed Ohio’s four-day absentee ballot grace period over fears of chaos and confusion if the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against them. Instead, a 5-4 c...
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
When Ohioans told the legislature ramming through HB 472 was unnecessary, would lead to voter suppression & was an administrative nightmare, they got the middle finger. When Ohioans plead their case to Gov. DeWine, he listened. You made this happen. www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-n...
news5cleveland.com
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoes bill requiring photo ID to mail-in vote
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has vetoed legislation that would have required the vast majority of voters to provide their photo ID in order to cast an absentee ballot.
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Reposted by Gary Daniels
American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio @acluohio.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
🚨TAKE ACTION: HB 472 will end vote-by-mail as we know it, Governor DeWine must veto now. Ohioans should not have to sacrifice their privacy rights in order to participate in our democracy. Sign here: action.aclu.org/send-message...
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Ironic to hear the same "tough on crime" Ohio politicians talk about the rule of law, accountability & victims re: Ohio's death penalty while they remain totally silent about the Epstein Files & all involved.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Among all the great reasons to get rid of capital punishment in Ohio, TWELVE exonerations (so far) from Death Row is among the very best. If Ohio politicians are going to crow about being skeptical of govt, the death penalty is a prime place to start. apnews.com/article/deat...
apnews.com
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine wants Ohio to abolish the death penalty, saying it is not a deterrent
Gov. Mike DeWine says he believes Ohio should abolish the death penalty. The term-limited governor, who has repeatedly postponed scheduled executions, said Tuesday that data shows the death penalty is...
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Deciphering the Ohio Statehouse becomes much simpler once you realize actual policy drives (at most) 5% of the decisions there while pure politics drives the other 95%. Always keep that in mind & you'll never be surprised or shocked by what they do & do not.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
For decades, debates about Ohio's criminal legal system have suffered because of a lack of readily available data. The most recent effort at a database was blocked by Ohio judges frightened of accountability. This could be huge, I look forward to diving in. www.vindy.com/news/latest-...
vindy.com
Ohio launches felony crime dashboard online
Ohio Crime Statistics Dashboard Ohio logged 1.16 million felony charges across all 88 counties over the past decade with 404,988 people involved. In the Mahoning Valley, 50,293 felony charges were fil...
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Among other things, HB 251, a terrible drone regulation bill, 1) Gives the GOVT a blank check to surveil all of us, all the time, without a warrant, if we are outside/in car, 2) Makes it a crime for YOU (incl. news media) to view someone else - even whole crowds - w/o their permission.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Ohioans are quickly waking up to the unregulated surveillance state that has been established locally & statewide across Ohio. But state & local lawmakers continue to largely ignore these issues (when they are not actively making it all worse). www.cleveland.com/news/2026/06...
cleveland.com
Cleveland school officials say Flock cameras protect parking lots. That's not the point
The real debate isn't whether schools need security cameras. It's whether they should be feeding data into a private, nationwide surveillance network with no clear limits on how it's used.
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Soon today, I will be testifying vs. SJR 10, the Senate’s version of the resolution to put photo ID for voters (already Ohio law) on the Nov. ballot. This resolution applies to the 0.0006% of ballots allegedly illegally cast over the past 8 years or so. #StatehousePriorities
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Gary Daniels @gdanielsohio.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Imagine trying to ban something but refusing to define what it is that will be outlawed. In this case, it is "DEI" (diversity, equity & inclusion) efforts at K-12 schools. Legislators know not defining it means anything/everything is on the chopping block. www.cleveland.com/news/2026/05...
cleveland.com
Ohio Republicans want to ban DEI in public schools, but they have yet to define it
Senate Bill 113 would require every public school board to ban DEI-related trainings, offices, job titles and outside consulting contracts within 90 days of enactment.
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