Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine says on Tuesday he鈥檒l veto a bill that takes away authority from the governor and health departments, and gives more power to lawmakers who passed the measure. DeWine says if it becomes law, the public鈥檚 safety would be at risk.
Ohio's legislative leaders have said they should have more say in health orders, and that they have the votes to override DeWine鈥檚 veto. But DeWine says the legislation would prevent local health departments from reacting quickly to keep dangerous infections from spreading out of control.
鈥淭his bill, if it became law, really does jeopardize the safety of Ohioans," DeWine says.
DeWine also says the bill is a 鈥渢rial lawyer鈥檚 dream鈥�, and said in a letter explaining his veto that he thinks it鈥檚 unconstitutional. DeWine said he鈥檚 proposed a compromise to lawmakers, but isn鈥檛 disclosing specifics.
Here are the first four pages of the five page letter, in which DeWine details his concerns about effects on public and food safety and says he expects an 鈥渁valanche of lawsuits鈥�, and 鈥渃ourts will make health policy鈥� if he doesn鈥檛 veto the bill
— Karen Kasler (@karenkasler)
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