Five things to know for Monday, Sept. 8

1️⃣ Husted: Government shouldn’t force vaccines

The government “should never force people to take vaccines that they don’t want,” Republican U.S. Sen. Jon Husted said, The Columbus Dispatch reported. The federal lawmaker made the comment on Sept. 5 at a tour of the Eastland Career Center in Groveport.

“Through the pandemic, a lot of public trust was lost in our so-called’ health experts,’” Husted said, per the Columbus newspaper. “We need to rebuild trust and we should always remember, though we shouldn’t force people to take health care services they don’t want, but we shouldn’t prevent them from having access to them either.”

2️⃣ Report: Democrats turn to back Ramaswamy

A growing number of prominent — and disillusioned — Democratic donors who previously backed former U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, a Democrat, are backing Vivek Ramaswamy’s bid for governor next year, according to Fox News. His campaign told Fox News the development underscores a major political shift in the state.

3️⃣ Dem lawmaker wants to release the Epstein files

With no issues, such as burgeoning property taxes, affecting Ohioans, state Rep. Karen Brownlee, D-Symmes Twp., said she plans to introduce a resolution urging the U.S. Department of Justice to release the full, unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files.

“Pedophiles should not be a protected class,” Brownlee said in a post to X. “Protecting children should not be partisan. I am calling on my GOP colleagues to co-sponsor my non-partisan resolution for DOJ to release the full Epstein files.”

4️⃣ Bill would enhance hate crimes penalties

Reps. Dontavius Jarrells, D-Columbus, and Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Township, proposed House Bill 306, the Hate Crime Act, which would increase hate crime penalties and expand protections to include more identity markers such as political affiliation and sex, WCMH-TV reported.

5️⃣ School safety funding available

Following recent school shootings, state officials are reminding officials that state funding and support are available to help improve school safety and in houses of worship.

“We’ve made it a priority in this administration to offer a broad range of public safety support to our local communities, and these programs are a perfect example of this commitment,” Republican Gov. Mike DeWine said in a release. “Our schools and churches can never be too safe, and I encourage leaders to take advantage of these grant programs and the other free services that the state provides.”