Harris responds to Governor Strickland's vetoes of election reform, bonuses for Ohio veterans and film industry incentives

STATEMENT FROM SENATE PRESIDENT BILL HARRIS

In response to the Governor's veto of Senate Bill 380 and House Bills 649 and 196, all of the following may be attributed to Senate President Bill Harris:

"The Governor's vetoes, although not a surprise, are no less disappointing.

"I have yet to hear anyone from the Administration or the Secretary of State's office articulate one good reason why the election changes we proposed and passed in Senate Bill 380 were not good ideas. In fact, we narrowly tailored this bill to address issues the Secretary herself identified as problems and to make needed improvements to the administration of elections, which earned the support of bipartisan elections officials. We remain committed to transparent, well-run elections that are free of fraud and in which Ohio voters can be confident. We will continue to push for the clarifications contained in SB 380 this session. I commend Senator Bill Seitz, the bill's sponsor for his thorough and thoughtful approach to these issues, even amid unfair and misguided criticism.

"Nearly one year ago, the Ohio Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 5 in order to provide Ohio veterans a much-deserved bonus by giving voters the opportunity to approve the use of bonds to pay for it. I was also willing to support House Bill 649 because to me, this wasn't about a funding source, it was about honoring men and women who put themselves in harm's way to defend our freedom. I feel just as strongly as I did last January that we need to get this done. Senator Tim Grendell will be reintroducing his resolution and I plan to put it up for a vote in the Senate as soon as possible.

"I commend Senator Tom Patton for his long fight to bring film industry jobs to Cleveland as well as new vigor to the under-utilized Cleveland Convention Center. I am disappointed in this veto because I am concerned that while we rustle over pennies in Columbus, we are losing dollars around the state. This issue will continue to be a priority for the Senate as we work to bring more jobs and economic development to our state."