The proposed state constitutional amendment would make it harder to pass future amendments that could hurt small businesses
NFIB has joined the Ohio Chamber, the Ohio Restaurant Association, the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association and other business groups in supporting Issue 1, a proposed state constitutional that will go before voters on Aug. 8.
Currently, amendments require a simple majority to pass. Issue 1 would increase that threshold to 60%.
“Ohio’s Constitution is the bedrock of our system of government and should not be subject to changes based on fleeting public opinion,” NFIB State Director Chris Ferruso said in a statement.
“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,” he said. “Ohio should safeguard its Constitution by requiring broader public support for proposed amendments.”
In addition to requiring a 60% majority to pass future amendments, Issue 1 includes a provision that initiative petitions gather signatures from at least 5% of electors in each of Ohio’s 88 counties. It also would eliminate the so-called “cure period” for signature gathering.
Ferruso said, “These combined reforms will yield more judicious constitutional measures, with more robust and widespread campaign efforts that elicit appropriately broad support from Ohioans.”
