WBNS 10 TV
PUBLISHED: 05/06/20 11
Get on the PHONE NOW! Call your Senators and tell them to VOTE YES on Senate Bill 1 when it comes out of the House Tomorrow! This is our chance – the legislature is finally doing something to everyone’s surprise. Now YOU and I Have to Back them up! Get on the phone NOW!
Tom Z
COLUMBUS, Ohio — In an effort to stem the authority of Dr. Amy Acton, the Ohio House has passed an amendment that would limit the power of the Ohio Department of Health Director.
The amendment proposed by Republican lawmakers would limit any stay-at-home order issued by the Ohio Department of Health to 14 days.
It passed the House Wednesday 58-37, and now goes back to the Senate for approval.Advertisement – Story continues below
Should the department want to extend the order, it would need to be approved by an existing bipartisan committee called the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, which consists of five representatives and five senators.
That committee would then decide how long the order would be extended until, if at all.
On March 23, a stay-at-home order in the state went into effect in an attempt to stem the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Last week, Acton extended the stay-at-home order — now known as a “Stay Safe Ohio” order until May 29, although exceptions have been made for businesses allowed to reopen as the state begins the process of reopening its economy.
Over the course of the last two months, both Acton and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine have faced pushback from Republicans who want the state to take a more expansive approach to re-opening businesses.
Earlier this week, DeWine, a Republican, said that he is ultimately the person responsible for making such decisions.
“I’m the elected official. I’m the one who ran for office. I’m the one who makes the policy decisions,” DeWine said. “The members of my cabinet, Dr. Acton included, work exceedingly, exceedingly hard, but I set the policy.”
DeWine released this statement on Wednesday regarding the amendment:
“My administration is focused on the important things we need to do to help businesses responsibly reopen while protecting Ohioans’ health and safety. This week alone, this included increasing coronavirus testing and tracing, balancing Ohio’s budget, and working on plans to move Ohio’s economy forward. Ohioans need their legislators focused on these important issues. Creating more uncertainty regarding public health and employee safety is the last thing we need as we work to restore consumer confidence in Ohio’s economy.”