During an Ohio House committee meeting regarding an August ballot measure to make it harder to change the Ohio Constitution, members shut off debate without opposition input. Cries of "shame" rang out from the audience.
On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the future of the effort.
A very special August election
The Ohio Senate approved a measure on Wednesday that would make it harder to amend the state constitution. The measure would require a 60% majority of voters to approve any changes, signatures from all 88 Ohio counties, and no extra time to gather signatures if the required number is not reached.
If approved, it will be on the ballot in an August election, but only after the recent law ending August elections is undone.
Republicans are pushing for the measure, saying it would make it harder for controversial amendments to pass. Democrats say it would make it harder for voters to make their voices heard.
At a House committee meeting, opponents to the 60% threshold move shouted "shame" at committee members who ended the debate and then voted to send its version of the resolution to the full House.
The measure is expected to face a tougher challenge in the Ohio House, where Republican Speaker Jason Stephens has said he's not a fan of it.
The U.S. Senate primary race is heating up
Cleveland businessman Bernie Moreno has entered the Republican primary race, joining state Sen. Matt Dolan. Moreno is a vocal supporter of former President Trump, while Dolan has been much more cautious about embracing Trump.
The primary is likely to be competitive and could be decided by which candidate can secure Trump's endorsement. More candidates will likely join the Republican race as Senator Sherrod Brown's seat is considered somewhat vulnerable because of Ohio’s recent turn to the right.
Snollygoster of the week
The city of Cleveland doesn't always have the best luck. Its sports teams are perennial underdogs, its river caught fire and now its new namesake Navy ship has gotten off to a rough start.
The USS Cleveland was launched in Wisconsin on Sunday, and it promptly slammed into a tugboat. No one was hurt, but the ship suffered minor damage.
Though just a minor setback, it's a perfect example of Cleveland's charm. After all, only USS Cleveland could get into a fender bender as it pulled out of the sales lot.
If you have a suggestion for our "Snollygoster of the Week" award, a question or a comment, send them to snollygoster@wosu.org.