Mike Thompson and the Columbus on the Record panel look at major last-minute major changes in the campaign to stop Ohio’s abortion rights amendment, new Ohio statehouse legislative maps, a new group opposes legalized marijuana in Ohio and fracking is approved for Ohio state parks.
*Leadership shakeup in Ohio anti-abortion campaign*
Changing campaign leadership in the final weeks of a campaign is never a good sign, but that’s what opponents to Issue 1 have done.
The abortion rights opponents have selected a new leader. As cleveand.com first reported, the move came as Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine became worried about the effort to defeat the abortion rights amendment.
The governor brought in a Nevada consultant with ties to his political team to lead the group called Protect Women Ohio.
The shake-up occurred after the no on Issue 1 campaign has struggled to develop a clear message, and only this week begins a limited tv ad campaign
*Ohio Republicans unveil new legislative maps*
The wait and hurry up Ohio redistricting process is now moving quickly toward a resolution for the 2024 election.
Republicans on the Ohio Redistricting Commission unveiled their maps this week.
The maps for Ohio House and Ohio Senate districts look a lot like the current maps. They heavily favor Republican candidates and in theory would maintain the GOP’s super majorities in both chambers.
Democrats say they again fail to meet the requirement that the maps reflect Ohio’s partisan make-up.
Republicans say they do reflect Ohio’s politics and point out that Gov. DeWine won Ohio with 60% of the vote last year.
*Another group opposes Ohio legalized marijuana campaign*
Issue two on November’s ballot, if passed, would change Ohio law to legalize recreational marijuana for anyone over the age of 21-year-old.
The campaign has been quiet so far. This week the Ohio Chamber of Commerce came out against legal marijuana for fun.
The chamber says it would lead to increased absenteeism for employers and also hurt workplace safety.
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown was asked this week if he supported legalizing recreational marijuana. He said he’s unsure. He said he’s heard from supporters and critics and will decide in the coming weeks.
Brown said he does support a change in federal law to allow banks to accept proceeds from marijuana businesses in states where it's legal.
*Fracking approved for Ohio State parks*
Ohio’s fracking industry is nearly 10 years old. It has brought revenue to oil and gas producers, land-owners who have leased their land for drilling and local governments in eastern Ohio.
It has also increased traffic on rural roads and noise in quiet settings.
Now it enters a new phase. The state is in the process of approving drilling leases under state owned land – in particular under state parks. Salt Fork State Park is a prime site. It’s huge, and it’s surrounded by very productive wells on private land. Drillers want to take advantage of what’s under the state park.
*More coverage from WOSU:*
- Ohio Redistricting Commission adopts GOP-drawn working maps for House, Senate districts: [ Ссылка ]
- US Sen. Sherrod Brown undecided on recreational marijuana ballot issue: [ Ссылка ]
*This week’s panelists:*
Herb Asher, Ohio State University political scientist
Gene Krebs, former Ohio legislator
