'For far too long, the Ohio Constitution has been an easy target for those seeking to enact anti-business policies'
NFIB State Director Chris Ferruso released a statement today with Ohio Chamber CEO Steve Stivers and Ohio Restaurant Association CEO John Barker about the proposed state constitutional amendment:
“The Ohio Chamber, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the Ohio Restaurant Association, and the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association stand together in favor of the constitutional amendment on the ballot in August. Ohio’s Constitution is the bedrock of our system of government and should not be subject to changes based on fleeting public opinion. For far too long, the Ohio Constitution has been an easy target for those seeking to enact anti-business policies or further narrow special interest initiatives outside of the traditional legislative process. Currently, there is an effort to massively increase Ohio’s minimum wage and eliminate the tipped wage, which is the latest example. Ironically, Ohio already has a minimum wage that is indexed for inflation.
“As business organizations, we are singularly focused on business issues and growing Ohio’s economy. Our organizations have long held the position that Ohio should safeguard its Constitution by requiring broader public support for proposed amendments. We further agree with the amendment’s requirement that initiative petitions gather signatures from at least 5% of electors in each of Ohio’s 88 counties.
“If a constitutional issue is significant enough to impact all 11.8 million Ohioans, then it should have to garner and demonstrate broad statewide backing for consideration. Eliminating the cure period for signature gathering will ensure that we hold ballot measures to the same standards that we apply to candidates for public office. These combined reforms will yield more judicious constitutional measures, with more robust and widespread campaign efforts that elicit appropriately broad support from Ohioans.”
