AlterNet: Ohio GOP in disarray after backlash

[Dennis Donovan]

AlterNet - Ohio GOP in disarray after backlash



Morgan Trau, Ohio Capital Journal
January 11, 2025

Following our reporting on a proposal by Republican leadership in Ohio to cut public school spending, which resulted in the lawmakers facing backlash, half a dozen GOP legislators personally reached out, vowing to protect K-12 education.

Those six, and at least 15 others we have spoken to in recent weeks, say that one of their main priorities is supporting public schools.

This comes as Gov. Mike DeWine would not commit to supporting the current bipartisan funding formula, telling us that “difficult choices” will need to be made.

Recap
Ohio’s history with school funding isn’t the brightest. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled in 1997 that the way the state funds schools is unconstitutional, relying too much on property taxes.

Throughout the next three decades, lawmakers went back and forth on policy in an attempt to fix the unconstitutionality. The Ohio Education Association, as well as lawmakers on each side of the aisle, have deemed that it has been unconstitutional since then. However, some Republicans argue that because they are no longer using the struck-down policy, and since nothing else has been deemed “unconstitutional” in court, they argue that, by definition, it can’t be considered unconstitutional.

/snip

[keithbvadu2]

1. When arguing the Constitution on social media:

When arguing the Constitution on social media:

1. Whatever is not specifically allowed must be forbidden. IF this logic supports your premise.

2. Whatever is not specifically forbidden must be allowed. IF this logic supports your premise.