Issue 1 was also rejected by voters while Issue 3 gave Republicans their only major victory of the 2011 general election
Tuesday evening was not John Kasich’s night. Voters across Ohio sent a resounding message to state lawmakers rejecting Senate Bill 5. If passed, the controversial issue, which was predicted to lose by a wide margin, would have curtailed collective bargaining rights for public employees and
would have instituted a merit pay system.
Many view the result as a reflection of the state’s general attitude toward Governor Kasich and the Republican-controlled legislature. More people voted against Issue 2 than voted for Kasich in 2010, when he defeated incumbent Democratic Governor Ted Strickland.
Though the election may be over, the debate over budget cuts and who must sacrifice is not. While Speaker of the House William Batchelder has said he does not plan to address collective bargaining for the rest of the current General Assembly, many expect the idea of “shared sacrifice” to be an integral part of balancing the next budget.
Garnering nearly the same margin as Issue 2, Issue 1 went down in flames. The proposed issue would have increased the eligibility age for those wishing to run for a judgeship from 70 to 75 years of age. The Ohio Democratic Party had endorsed a “no” vote while the Ohio Republican Party stayed silent
on the issue. Supporters of the issue had wanted to see judges they felt were effective to continue serving. Those opposing Issue 1 felt that raising the age eligibility would allow judges already entrenched on the bench to remain there past their prime.
Even with the disappointment for Republicans over Issues 1 and 2, they found a reason to celebrate with Issue 3. Considered by many to a response to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that President Obama signed into law last year, this proposed amendment would exempt residents of Ohio from national health care mandates which would stop any state law from forcing persons, employers or health care providers from participating in a health care system.
However, most consider this to be a moot point due to the Supremecy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Federal law supersedes state law. The main goal with Issue 3 is to take the health care reform legislation pushed by Democrats in Congress and President Obama to the U.S. Supreme Court. Yet, the U.S. Supreme Court is already planning on taking up the issue next Spring.
Critics of the amendment claim that the effort has and will continue to waste taxpayer money and time. While the debate over health care reform continues, anticipation builds over what, if any effect, this amendment will have on Ohioans.
RESULTS AT A GLANCE
Issue 1: Judicial Revision – NO 61% YES 39%
Issue 2: Senate Bill 5 – NO 62% YES 38%
Issue 3: Healthcare Reform – NO 34% YES 66%
