COLUMBUS, Ohio — Statehouse Republicans are looking into a potential override of one of Gov. Mike DeWine’s vetoes he made before signing the final version of the new two-year state budget.
The governor nixed a provision to allow the legislature from intervening in court cases regarding the laws they pass.
House Majority Floor Leader Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati, said his colleagues in the General Assembly were not happy about DeWine’s veto to stop the House Speaker and Senate President from hiring lawyers to represent the legislature in cases related to their laws.
“I believe there is an appetite within the legislature to override that veto,” said Seitz.
When he made the veto, DeWine said the request was “virtually unheard of.”
“Unfortunately, the governor is not totally up to speed on the latest developments in the courts on this question,” Seitz said.
Seitz said other state and federal courts have decided if legislatures make a law saying they have the right to intervene, then they can do so, setting the precedent for Ohio to do the same. Normally, the state is only represented by the attorney general.
“We feel that it is entirely appropriate for the legislature to have a seat at that table,” said Seitz.
Seitz said that includes redistricting, the process in which state lawmakers draw legislative and congressional maps.
“This is bad for Ohio,” said Desiree Tims, president and CEO of Innovation Ohio, a non-profit organization that promotes progressive politics and policy.
She said Ohioans already voted for an equal and fair process and any override would do the opposite.
“My greatest fear is that we’re going to continue to see our democracy erode under Republican leadership, Republican guidance and extreme policies and extreme votes,” said Tims.
When asked how Democrats would have a say in the court process, Seitz said, “If someday the Democrats are the speaker or the Democrats are the senate president then absolutely, what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. They would have the ability to intervene and a Republican minority would not. (But) Not at this time.”
“That is irrelevant because redistricting is happening soon,” said Tims.
Spokesmen for House Speaker Robert Cupp, R-Lima, and Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, said they are reviewing the veto messages.
State lawmakers use data from the U.S. Census to create both legislative and congressional district maps. If they do not reach a bipartisan consensus, the maps last for four years instead of 10.
Ohio is predicted to lose at least one congressional seat once Census data is finalized.
