Hicks-Hudson Denounces Senate Resolutions

Today, state Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) issued the following statements after the Ohio Senate voted along party lines on resolutions opposing the passage of State Issues 1 and 2.

“I categorically support the work of countless Ohioans who have been tirelessly organizing, educating and mobilizing voters in an effort to establish a constitutional right to reproductive justice in our state,” said Hicks-Hudson. “These resolutions are shameful. The Majority is once again trying to change our processes and interfere with the will of Ohioans. Using taxpayer dollars and state resources to lie and mislead voters with inaccurate ballot language and false arguments in opposition to reproductive choice is dangerous, full stop.”

Issue 1 would enshrine reproductive rights into the Ohio Constitution, by guaranteeing the right to abortion and protecting the right to other reproductive health care such as contraception, fertility treatment, miscarriage care, and the right to continue a pregnancy. Issue 2 would legalize adult-use recreational marijuana.

Read the language of Issue 1 here and of Issue 2 here.

Note: Under normal circumstances, members of the General Assembly would be prohibited from using their office or state resources to endorse a position on a citizen-led ballot issue. However, now that the Senate has taken up a resolution on the ballot initiative, that initiative becomes an official legislative endeavor of the Senate. It therefore becomes a topic that members may speak to using their office and state resources, as they can defend their votes on the resolution or urge the public to either support or oppose the measures.