As expected, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has vetoed a bill giving state lawmakers the power to overturn his health and emergency orders.
DeWine’s fellow Republicans in the legislature who support it are standing firm, so it’s almost certainly headed to a veto override and a court fight. Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler reports.
Scott Wiggam chairs the House committee that heard the bill. He got a letter from DeWine saying he respects legislative oversight but the bill is unconstitutional. Wiggam responded with his own letter, in which he writes: “This type of autocratic rule must be checked by the Legislature and should be tested in the courts”.
“The General Assembly is the only policymaking authority identified by the Ohio Constitution. So you could virtually argue that the governor’s ongoing, year-long orders and rules are actually unconstitutional.”
DeWine has proposed a compromise, but Wiggam says it’s largely a non-starter. Wiggam agrees with DeWine about concerns for future governors and emergencies, but he says the bill ensures citizens will be involved in the decisions they will make.
