Senate Democrats Urge DeWine to Veto Provisions of Last-Minute Lame Duck Legislation

Today, the Senate Democratic Caucus sent a letter to Governor Mike DeWine urging him to use his executive power to line-item veto two provisions of House Bill 315, which was passed at the last minute of the lame duck legislative session.

“First, language added at the last minute, with no public input or proper vetting, that inserts the state into a local, county matter that would exempt the sale of tangible personal property to a private party or sports team owner for a publicly-owned sports facility from sales and use tax. The language added to House Bill 315 in the dead of night seeks to intervene in negotiations between a professional sports team and elected county commissioners. We believe that the issue is best left with local elected officials to decide rather than the legislature,” read the letter. 

“The second provision that we ask you to veto from House Bill 315 is the proposed Section 3792.07. If signed into law, it would prohibit “a health-related licensing board, the Ohio Department of Health, the State Board of Pharmacy, or other state board or agency responsible for the licensure and regulation of health care professionals from infringing on medical free speech” (LSC Analysis, page 11).”

Read the full letter here.