To the State Lawmakers — Cheston Buchanan, Cleveland Heights: Strongly Oppose HB 188

Summary

Letter addressed to the State Lawmakers from Cheston Buchanan, who identifies as a resident of Cleveland Heights, opposing HB 188. The letter states that the bill would funnel millions of taxpayer dollars into a foreign partnership and expresses concerns about transparency, oversight, and return on investment for Ohio taxpayers. It states that the legislation includes no clear benchmarks, performance reporting requirements, or community input mechanisms, and that the bill creates a board tied to pro-Israel organizations. The letter closes by asking readers to vote NO on SB 200.

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Full text

To the State Lawmakers:

As a resident of Cleveland Heights and a native-born Ohioan I strongly oppose HB 188. This
bill would funnel millions of taxpayer dollars into a foreign partnership with the apartheid
State of Israel. This funding would be sent overseas at a time when Ohio communities are
facing deep cuts, infrastructure is in disrepair, and families are struggling to make ends
meet.

I find it unconscionable and have serious concerns about this bill’s lack of transparency,
oversight, and return on investment for Ohio taxpayers. The legislation includes no clear
benchmarks, performance reporting requirements, or community input mechanisms. The
bill creates a board stacked with political appointees tied to pro-Israel organizations,
explicitly excluding Palestinian, Arab-American, Muslim, and neutral voices. It contains no
independent oversight, no competitive process, and no clear safeguards to ensure
accountability or public benefit.

This is not just about trade. This is about values. Israel is currently under international
investigation for crimes against humanity. A trade partnership now makes Ohio complicit.

I strongly believe Ohio’s resources should stay in Ohio, to build up the economy of our own
communities. Please stand for transparency, equity, and fiscal responsibility, and consider
the people of Ohio who elected you—not foreign lobbyists—and to vote NO on SB 200.

Respectfully,

Cheston Buchanan


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