Ohio Voters Choose to Opt Out of Health Care Mandate November 8, 2011
Voters in Ohio have approved a ballot measure intended to keep government from requiring Ohioans to participate in any health care system.
The constitutional amendment passed is largely symbolic, coming in response to the 2009 federal health care overhaul, a provision of which mandates that most Americans purchase health care.
Supporters hope it will prompt a challenge of the overhaul before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The tea party and Republican groups backing the amendment say the Affordable Care Act was an overreach by the Obama administration and Congress. Read more...
Voters reject Lakota Local Schools levy November 8, 2011 For the third time in the last 18 months, a Lakota Local Schools levy was defeated by its residents.
This time by a 7 percent margin, more than the previous time. The levy was defeated 54 percent to 46 percent, according to final, unofficial results from the board of elections. Read More...
Issue 2 Defeated
Voters have rejected the law limiting collective bargaining Governor John Kasich had toured the state promoting Issue 2, but voters have rejected the law that would have limited the collective bargaining abilities of thousands of unionized public workers. The unofficial statewide results showed voters defeating Issue 2, by a 62-38 margin.
The defeat of Issue 2 garnered a statement from the White House. And State Representative Connie Pillich of Montgomery says she wouldn't be surprised if there are reprecussions across the country. Several states have either passed similar measures, or have been considering them. Pillich calls the defeat of Issue 2 a victory for the middle class.
Pillich says SB 5 was poorly written, and she hopes future reforms will include the voices of those who helped overturn it. Pillich says she's talked with several state senators who say they are planning to start work on a new reform package.