An Ohio House Republican has introduced a measure that would let the legislature override vetoes from incoming Democratic Gov. Amy Acton by simple majority, cleveland.com reports.
House Joint Resolution 11, from Rep. Ron Ferguson of Steubenville, would put a constitutional amendment before voters to lower the override threshold from three-fifths. It needs three-fifths of each chamber, then a majority of voters. Cleveland.com says joint resolutions don’t need a governor’s signature, which makes it easier to reach the ballot.
Outgoing Gov. Mike DeWine said last week he wouldn’t back legislative efforts to weaken the executive branch. If it passes, Ferguson would like to see it on the ballot, potentially as early as May.
The proposal follows an election in which Acton became the first Democrat in 20 years to win the governorship and Republicans lost their veto-proof House supermajority. Overriding a veto currently takes 60 of 99 votes in the House, which Republicans won’t have, and 20 of 33 in the Senate, which they will.
Ferguson called it a “passion project” and said Ohio should “get in line with our neighbors.” Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia allow simple-majority overrides, though West Virginia requires two-thirds on budget bills, as do Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee. He argued that lawmakers’ shorter terms make them more accountable.
Asked whether the bill was tied to Democrats gaining power, Ferguson said, “It’s the right thing to do.” He is the bill’s only sponsor, has talked to some colleagues and hasn’t approached conservative or business groups about funding a campaign, which cleveland.com says Democrats and unions would likely oppose.
Republicans frequently move to strip powers from statewide offices in anticipation of Democrats holding the role. In North Carolina two years ago, the GOP transferred the power to appoint the state Board of Elections from the governor to the state auditor's office, which they still controlled. Meanwhile, in Texas, Republicans are considering the removal of key powers from the lieutenant governor in anticipation of Democrat Vikki Goodwin taking office.