COLUMBUS—At a time where suicide and substance abuse is on the rise, last week the Ohio General Assembly overrode Governor Mike DeWine’s veto of a law designed to curb public health officials’ runaway COVID-19 powers. With the Governor’s detractors emphasizing the lockdown’s negative impact on mental health, the recent vote was a humiliating defeat for the DeWine Administration.
Senate Bill 22 establishes legislative oversight and transparency over executive orders issued during a state of emergency. The final votes were 23-10 in the Senate and 62-35 in the House. State Rep. Marilyn John (R-Richland County) voted with the super-majorities to override DeWine’s veto.
“After over a year of mandated health orders and shutdowns, it is time that my constituency have more of a ‘say’ on the orders being enacted. Senate Bill 22 gives greater accountability and I am proud to have supported it. I want to ensure people are heard,” said John.
Provisions in the bill give the Legislature the ability to oversee orders issued by any department under the administration in response to public health emergencies. Orders may be extended or rescinded by the General Assembly through a concurrent resolution.
The bill would also ban local boards of health from shutting down schools, specific businesses or public gatherings. Those restrictions were added into the House version of the bill to stop local entities from issuing orders the state couldn’t.
Aaron Baer, President of Citizens for Christian Virtue commented on Senate Bill 22.
“We have learned much through the COVID-19 pandemic, not the least of which is the seemingly endless executive power the Governor’s office holds after declaring a public health crisis. While other states experienced far more restrictive lock-downs and onerous orders, a major flaw in Ohio state law was revealed that enabled one individual boundless authority to close businesses, regulate religious institutions, and mandate behaviors without any readily-accessible checks. I am thankful for these legislators who believe in government accountability.”
“After over a year of mandated health orders and shutdowns, it is time that my constituency have more of a ‘say’ on the orders being enacted. Senate Bill 22 gives greater accountability and I am proud to have supported it. I want to ensure people are heard.”
Rep. Marilyn John (R-Richland County)
The bill also ensures local communities may determine the course of local health orders. As a result, the bill provides parameters for local boards of health in which they must operate when issuing county and district wide orders.
Last year a Ohio Court of Common Pleas ruled Ashland County Health Department could not suspend a local restaurants’ food service operations license in response to restaurant employees not wearing masks.
The action in Savannah drew criticisms across the state.
One hundred clergy from Rep. John’s district in North Central Ohio called for the Governor to end the lockdown.
“When Mike DeWine took an oath on those nine Bibles, he promised to abide by the Ohio Constitution. No where does an executive order carry the same weight as a law,” said Pastor John Bouquet, “This is an example of government tyranny.”
After DeWine’s mask mandate, COVID cases increased as public health decisions appeared to neglect issues regarding suicide and mental health.
See related articles:
The Bottom Line:
The Bible says in Proverbs 12, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”
