A newly formed political action committee (PAC) has been set up to push House Republicans to vote on the Ohio Constitution Protection Amendment which aims to alter the process of how initiative petitions can propose constitutional amendments.
Save Our Constitution PAC is urging lawmakers to set an August election for Ohio voters to decide on the proposed amendment. The measure, if approved, would mandate a 60 percent approval percentage for any future constitutional amendments, call for signatures from all 88 counties, and do away with the opportunity to “cure” petitions by collecting additional signatures if necessary.
Last week, the Ohio Senate passed the resolution and voted to create a special August election for this issue. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said that he would sign a bill allowing an August special election to decide whether to alter the process of how initiative petitions can propose constitutional amendments if both chambers of the state legislature pass it. The resolution does not need his approval to go before voters.
The only remaining obstacle to the resolution’s passage is a vote on the House floor but time is running out as House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) has not committed to a date for the vote and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said that lawmakers need to pass the legislation in both the House and Senate by May 10th in order to place it on an August ballot.
State Representative Ron Ferguson (R-Wintersville) said that House Republicans have enough votes to pass the amendment.
“We have 60 votes in the House. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Just need it brought to the floor,” Ferguson said.
Save Our Constitution PAC is running radio, texting, digital, and television ads targeting specific House members and Stephens. The ads urge voters to call Stephens’ office to press him to call for votes on the Ohio Constitution Protection Amendment House Joint Resolution (HJR) 1 or companion bill Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 2 and on Senate Bill (SB) 92 or House Bill (HB) 144 to allow for an August special election to vote on that resolution.
“Our Constitution has been hijacked by special interests and legislators have an opportunity – and duty — to stop it by voting to put the Constitution Protection Amendment on the August ballot. Save Our Constitution PAC will be scoring this vote and we will ensure that Ohio voters in 2024 are informed about legislators who say yes to this important amendment to protect Our Constitution. And those who oppose it or prevent it from being brought to a vote will be held accountable by voters. Speaker of the House Jason Stephens has the power to protect Our Constitution,” Save Our Constitution PAC said.
Lawmakers controversially elected Stephens as speaker earlier this year to succeed state Representative Bob Cupp (R–Lima). The choice came despite the Republican Caucus‘ previous selection in November of State Representative Derek Merrin (R-Monclova) as the new speaker. Although the GOP caucus voted for Merrin as Speaker of the House in December, Stephen fought in collaboration with the Democrats to collect votes and garner a win.
According to Save Our Constitution PAC, it’s time for Stephens (pictured above) to stop collaborating with the Democrats and to vote with conservatives.
“Conservatives across Ohio are demanding action. It’s time for Speaker Jason Stephens to stop the liberal takeover of Ohio and vote with conservatives,” one advertisement says.
The legislation comes at a time when pro–abortion activists are working to pass a proposed constitutional amendment in November that would legalize abortion throughout the state.
A second proposed amendment that would eventually raise the state’s minimum wage will likely appear on a 2024 ballot.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Jason Stephens” by Ohio House of Representatives. Background Photo “Ohio Capitol” by General Ization. CC BY 3.0.
