09/17/2012

Ohio ACEP Supreme Court Endorsements and Issue 2 Explanation

Ohio Supreme Court – Justice Terrence O’Donnell, Justice Robert Cupp and Judge Sharon Kennedy

Ohio ACEP strongly endorses Justice Terrence O’Donnell and Justice Robert Cupp for re-election to the Ohio Supreme Court. Both justices have been steadfast allies of Ohio’s physicians by regularly ruling in favor of common sense malpractice reform laws. And because the best predictor of a public official’s actions is to look at what they have done in the past, we urge our members to cast their votes to retain Justices O’Donnell and Cupp.

In addition to re-electing current allies on the Ohio Supreme Court, we strongly support Judge Sharon Kennedy, who is challenging incumbent Supreme Court Justice Yvette McGee-Brown. This seat on the bench is strategically important to maintaining and improving the medical malpractice climate in Ohio, and Judge Kennedy will support Ohio’s physicians.

With polls indicating tight Supreme Court races—and with so many undecided voters—it is more important than ever for our members to spread the word and vote for pro-physician candidates. Each of these outstanding public officials will continue to oppose efforts by special interests to eliminate laws protecting physicians from unreasonable lawsuits.

Issue 2 – No position

Currently, state legislative districts are redrawn every ten years by the Apportionment Board following the results of the Federal Census. The Apportionment Board consists of the governor, auditor of state, secretary of state and one person chosen by each of the following: speaker of the Ohio House, majority leader of the Ohio Senate, minority leader of the Ohio House, and minority leader of the Ohio Senate.

Issue 2 would amend the Ohio Constitution to eliminate the Apportionment Board and change the way in which state legislative districts are drawn. It would establish a process to select twelve Ohioans that will make up the Ohio Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission (OCIRC). The Commission would be required to meet publicly, which is not a current requirement of the Apportionment Board.

A “YES” vote is to repeal the Apportionment Board and establish the Ohio Citizens Independent Redistricting Committee. A “NO” vote is to keep the Ohio Constitution as is. Full ballot language for Issue 2.

Arguments for Issue 2 (YES vote)	Arguments against Issue 2 (NO vote)
Current system for drawing legislative districts is partisan and results in districts designed to keep majority party in power OCIRC is fully transparent and must meet entirely in public OCIRC members must meet specific requirements; lobbyists, politicians, paid political consultants are prohibited from participating	Current Apportionment Board is made up of officials elected by Ohio voters or people appointed by elected officials; OCIRC members would be unelected and unaccountable to voters Raises potential legal issues including separation of government powers Any future change would again require a constitutional amendment