The Post editorial board has taken the following positions on state Issues 1, 2 and 3.
Vote 'Yes' on Issue 1
We urge our readers to vote “yes” on Issue 1. As responsible citizens, it is up to us to decide who will be our judge. Issue 1 would change the Ohio Constitution by increasing the maximum age a person may be elected to judge from 70 to 75.
Age can help a lawyer. With more experience, a judge can base his or her decisions on more professional and personal experiences. If judges are elected by their constituents, then their age essentially won’t matter. As Ohio citizens, we have the ability to elect our judges instead of having them appointed to their position. Whether the lawyer is 68 when elected or 74, it’s really about his or her expertise. Voting “yes” on Issue 1 will extend the age restriction on judges, allowing good judges to serve more time in office.
Vote 'No' on Issue 2
We urge you to vote “no” on Issue 2. Union reform should not be based on political divides but on what’s best for our society. As it stands, Issue 2 is too harsh on our public employees.
Many Ohio University employees are union workers who depend on their collective-bargaining rights. We must take a stand with these workers and support the unions by voting “no” on Issue 2.
It is unfair to punish public employees for the state’s financial woes. Furthermore, we cannot say the law will not affect us if the referendum is passed. No matter where we are, some aspect of our life will be entwined in this law if Ohioans do not vote it down.
Senate Bill 5 represents a step too far in restricting the rights of unions. Not allowing public workers to strike breaches their freedom as a union. By voting “no,” Gov. John Kasich and the state’s legislators will be forced to go back to the drawing board and create a bill that doesn’t completely quash a union’s power.
However, we agree that unions’ power in Ohio does need to be curbed. Unions practically run the entire Democratic machine. Changing some of SB 5 is necessary. For example, there should be no opposition to increasing the minimum of what unions should have to pay for their own pensions and health care.
Voting “no” will require lawmakers to redraft a bill by involving unions in the legislative process instead of crafting a politically-motivated bill. Ohio unions are too powerful, but there must be reasonable steps to curb the groups’ influence. Kasich has said that, if the referendum doesn’t pass, he will work on a new bill.
A “no” would send a message to the state’s legislature to take its time and draft a new, appropriate bill that does not infringe on unions’ rights to collectively bargain but still cuts back on their influence.
Vote 'No' on Issue 3
Issue 3, if passed, would exempt Ohioans from national health care mandates. Given that this is in direct conflict with the national health care bill, we urge our readers to vote “no” on Issue 3. Allowing Ohio residents to be exempted from “Obamacare” goes against what our national government is attempting to accomplish.
Obamacare — also known by its official name, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — reforms the U.S. health-insurance industry. It includes broadening Medicare, instituting an annual fee on insurance providers, taxing pharmaceuticals, and federally taxing tanning bed services. Issue 3 is a blatant attempt to ignore any health care reform passed by the federal government.
Battling against federal laws, such as health care reform, should not take place within the Ohio Constitution. Voting “no” will prevent a poorly created, politically charged amendment from becoming law.
