GOP General Assembly Files Suit Against Brunner over Veto
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| Also listed in: AssemblyWatch | CourtWatch |
The 137-page Ohio Supreme Court complaint was filed February 2nd (Link) in the form of a mandamus action by House Speaker Jon Husted (R-Kettering) and Senate President Bill Harris (R-Ashland) on behalf of the General Assembly.
The complaint challenges Governor Strickland’s veto of (SB 117 ), a lead paint bill passed in the late December lame-duck session that also limited punitive damages in consumer protection suits. The complaint also challenges Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner’s action of returning the bill filed by former Governor Taft who intended to let the bill become law without his signature. Governor Strickland requested the return of the bill that had been journalized by former Secretary of State Ken Blackwell. The complaint seeks a court order directing Secretary of State Brunner to correct an office journal that indicates the bill was vetoed and to require Brunner to distribute a copy of the act so that the Legislative Service Commission can codify the law.
While asserting that the merits of SB117 are not the issue (even though it offers protections to businesses against punitive damages in consumer complaints), the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, NFIB/Ohio, Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Ohio Council of Retail Merchants issued a statement applauding the lawsuit as “absolutely necessary to uphold the state Constitution and to protect the integrity of the legislative process”. (Roll of the Eyes is in order).
The complaint challenges Governor Strickland’s veto of (SB 117 ), a lead paint bill passed in the late December lame-duck session that also limited punitive damages in consumer protection suits. The complaint also challenges Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner’s action of returning the bill filed by former Governor Taft who intended to let the bill become law without his signature. Governor Strickland requested the return of the bill that had been journalized by former Secretary of State Ken Blackwell. The complaint seeks a court order directing Secretary of State Brunner to correct an office journal that indicates the bill was vetoed and to require Brunner to distribute a copy of the act so that the Legislative Service Commission can codify the law.
While asserting that the merits of SB117 are not the issue (even though it offers protections to businesses against punitive damages in consumer complaints), the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, NFIB/Ohio, Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Ohio Council of Retail Merchants issued a statement applauding the lawsuit as “absolutely necessary to uphold the state Constitution and to protect the integrity of the legislative process”. (Roll of the Eyes is in order).
Thanks for posting this important story!
Dave Harding
Director, Online Communications
ProgressOhio
It's so ironic that those groups ID'd as supporting the lawsuit are concerned about the integrity of the legislative process. Blech.