Preliminary results show that voters approved an amendment to the Ohio Constitution to permit the issuance of additional general obligation bonds to fund public infrastructure capital improvements. See Columbus Dispatch Article, State Bond Issue Easily Passes. See a copy of the ballot here: Secretary of State’s Primary Issues Report 2014. The proposal would enact new […]
Ohio Voters Approve State Bond Issue Read Post »
The Ohio Rights Group, supporters of the Ohio Medical Cannabis Amendment to the Ohio Constitution, say there is a chance the issue may appear on the ballot in 2014. If not, they believe it is a sure thing it will be on the ballot in 2015 or 2016. See Group Backing Ohio Cannabis Rights Amendment
Medical Marijuana Supporters Aim for Ohio Ballot in the Next 3 Years Read Post »
All meetings will take place on Thursday, May 8, 2014 9:00 a.m. Organization and Administration Committee – Statehouse Room 116. Updates on Commission rules and Commission staff. Liaisons with Public Offices Committee and Public Education and Information Standing Committee – Statehouse Room 114 10:15 a.m. Judicial Branch and the Administration of Justice Committee – Statehouse
May 2014 Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission Meetings (Revised) Read Post »
The Freedom to Marry and Religious Freedom Amendment (Second Resubmission), Initiative Petition (PDF), was certified by the Ohio Attorney General. The wording of the previous submission, Freedom to Marry and Religious Freedom (Resubmission), Initiative Petition (PDF), said that no religious institution would be required to perform or recognize a marriage, but did not define “religious
Revised Freedom to Marry Amendment Approved by AG Read Post »
Should Ohio remove language in its Constitution’s language requiring a “thorough and efficient” public school system? See Ohio Constitution, Article VI, Section 2. At its recent meeting, the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission’s Committee on Education, Public Institutions & Miscellaneous and Local Government debated this question. Proponents want to eliminate the “thorough and efficient” language
Judge Black, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, held that, “Ohio’s marriage recognition bans are facially unconstitutional and unenforceable under any circumstances.” Article 15, Section 11, of the Ohio Constitution, to the extent it prohibits the recognition in Ohio of same-sex marriages valid in other states, is struck down as being in violation of the
Federal Judge Holds Ohio’s Same-Sex Marriage Recognition Ban Unconstitutional Read Post »
The Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission selected Steven C. Hollon as executive director. Mr. Hollon has many years in Ohio’s court system, including 15 years as the Administrative Director at the Ohio Supreme Court. See announcement on the OCMC website.
Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission Hires Executive Director Read Post »
In an order dated 4/4/2014, Federal Judge Timothy Black stated “The Court anticipates striking down as unconstitutional under all circumstances Ohio’s bans on recognizing legal same-sex marriages from other states.” The case, Henry v. Wymyslo, United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, 1:14-cv-00129, was filed by same-sex couples married outside of Ohio
Federal Judge to Strike Down Ohio’s Ban on Recognizing Out of State Same-Sex Marriages Read Post »
The following meetings will take place on Thursday, April 10, 2014: (The Chairman respectfully requests all testifying parties submit an electronic copy of written testimony to lizz.lewis@ohiohouse.gov by Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. OR bring 25 copies to committee on Thursday.) 9:00 am Judicial Branch and the Administration of Justice — Statehouse Room 311 Finance, Taxation
April Meetings: Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission Read Post »
When the Ohio General Assembly exercises its right under the Ohio Constitution to limit municipal taxing authority, it must do so explicitly. The language of a statute prohibiting municipal taxation need not be specific as to the type of tax limited, if the language of the statute explicitly prohibits a broad range of taxes. The case dealt with former
Recent Ohio Supreme Court Cases on Legislature’s Ability to Restrict Municipal Taxation Read Post »