Ohio Governor Mike DeWine says allowing the state to take over dozens of pending lawsuits filed by cities and counties against opioid manufacturers and distributers is a "serious mistake."
Dewine says the legal process should go through the court system since residents and local governments have "borne a great deal of that cost." Draft legislation backed by Attorney General Dave Yost would give control of the suits to the state. The plan has drawn opposition from county prosecutors who fear it will undermine the state constitution's home rule provision. Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein released a statement Thursday critizing the proposal, saying local governments are dealing with the crisis and local governments should have a say in the litigation. Klein calls the plan a power grab.
