Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

State Approves Title For Fall Ballot Issue On Drug Crimes

Ohio Public Radio

Republican Ohio Secretary of State and lieutenant governor candidate Jon Husted has announced the official title for the only statewide issue on the fall ballot.  

Backers say the wording means they have work to do. Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler explains. 

Voters will see this short description for Issue 1: “to reduce penalties for crimes of obtaining, possessing and using illegal drugs”. Matt Borges with Safe and Healthy Ohio says the title is accurate but reflects just one aspect of the constitutional amendment, which also would direct funding to state-run drug treatment.

“It’s up to our campaign to deliver the message effectively, and we’ll either do that or we won’t. I never underestimate Ohio voters’ intelligence and we’ll make sure they understand what they’re voting for.”

Backers have raised more than $4 million, including donations from groups created by two Facebook founders and billionaire George Soros. Prosecutors oppose the amendment, which also would allow for reduced sentences for good behavior by inmates not convicted of murder, rape or child molestation.

 

The Statehouse News Bureau was founded in 1980 to provide educational, comprehensive coverage of legislation, elections, issues and other activities surrounding the Statehouse to Ohio's public radio and television stations. To this day, the Bureau remains the only broadcast outlet dedicated to in-depth coverage of state government news and topics of statewide interest. The Bureau is funded througheTech Ohio, and is managed by ideastream. The reporters at the Bureau follow the concerns of the citizens and voters of Ohio, as well as the actions of the Governor, the Ohio General Assembly, the Ohio Supreme Court, and other elected officials. We strive to cover statehouse news, government issues, Ohio politics, and concerns of business, culture and the arts with balance and fairness, and work to present diverse voices and points of view from the Statehouse and throughout Ohio. The three award-winning journalists at the bureau have more than 60 combined years of radio and television experience. They can be heard on National Public Radio and are regular contributors to Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Marketplace. Every weekday, the Statehouse News Bureau produces in-depth news reports forOhio's public radio stations. Those stories are also available on this website, either on the front page or in our archives. Weekly, the Statehouse News Bureau produces a television show from our studios in the Statehouse. The State of Ohio is an unique blend of news, interviews, talk and analysis, and is broadcast on Ohio's public television stations. The Statehouse News Bureau also produces special programming throughout the year, including the Governor's annual State of the State address to the Ohio General Assembly and a five-part year-end review.
Related Content