by Marc Kovac
Capital Bureau Chief
Representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union and the state's Latino Affairs Commission urged lawmakers to quash legislation that would require public agencies to conduct business and keep records in English.
The bill, they said, is unnecessary, threatens civil and human rights of non-English-speaking citizens and would deter residents from learning other languages.
"The denial of services to American citizens with limited English proficiency is already happening," said Ezra C. Escudero, director of the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission, which advises the governor and lawmakers on issues facing Hispanic residents. "... There is no need for English only legislation like House Bill 477. State agencies are already in compliance with its proposals, and the vast majority of Ohioans only speak English."
Escudero offered opponent testimony May 1 to the Ohio House's State Government & Elections Committee, which is considering the legislation.
HB 477 is sponsored by Rep. Robert P. Mecklenborg, a Republican from the Cincinnati area. It would require English to be used during meetings involving public bodies, including state, county, township, city and school district-related boards, commissions and committees. All policies issued, records created or other action also would have to be in English.
The May 1 committee hearing included comments from one proponent of the legislation: Matthew Santos, speaking on behalf of U.S. English Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based group that focuses on English language policy.
"While there is certainly a need for government to occasionally operate in other languages, that need must be balanced by a legitimate insistence that immigrants are on the road to learning English," he said, adding later, "Unfortunately, instead of promoting English learning, government agencies around the country increasingly seek to cater to immigrants in as many languages as possible."
But Escudero and other opponents disagreed, stating that the legislation would drive a "wedge which does not foster better communication and collaboration, much less unity, between Ohio's diverse communities."
"The threat of costly litigation, denial of rights and services and the threat of limiting economic opportunities for our state are all quantifiable," Escudero said. "The benefit of HB 477 is not quantifiable because it simply does not exist."
Juanita Sanchez, a representative of the Service Employees International Union, added that the legislation would hurt Ohio's economy by deterring residents from learning languages other than English. And Carrie Davis, staff attorney for the ACLU of Ohio, added that the legislation was "ill-conceived, will lead to costly litigation and will hurt Ohio's ability to attract innovative companies and good jobs."
She added, "English is not under attack."
Marc Kovac is the Dix Newspapers Capital Bureau chief. E-mail him at mkovac@dixcom.com.