In this episode, we talk about proposed changes to Ohio's Constitution that would make it so that a 60% threshold needs to be met in order for the ballot initiative to pass. There are a lot of groups across the political spectrum that have been opposed to this change. Since we recorded this episode, a substituted version of the bill has been put forward which also requires a 60% threshold on GA approved amendments to the constitution, not just to citizen led ballot initiatives.

Also post recording, Jules has listened to Brian Stewart's debate in front of the committee. In that debate, Brian Stewart mentions that he is the sole person who came up with the idea for the bill. Jules speculated, and may personally still believe that Brian may have been influenced by Center for Christian Value or Ohio Right to Life. Similar to how conservatives speculating Planned Parenthood being behind Erin's Law despite Erin's objections to those claims in testimony.

Brian also mentions in the debate that we had a bipartisan commission to research this topic and they recommended a change to 55%. This is true. They also recommended that ballot initiatives be done on even years, when national and state races occur leading to bigger voter turnouts. Jules notes that he'd be willing to compromise for 55% and requiring initiatives only being placed on the ballot on even numbered years. It's also why he still objects the Ohio GOP's attempt to push this through on May 2023's ballot.

Clarification on joking about groups/people being opposed to Erin's Law. I've told someone else before that their opposition to such a bill was suspect to me. The bill is designed to empower kids to have the ability to report people who may be assaulting them. And that someone is likely someone close to them. No joke; you can go search online to see people like youth pastors, clergy, police officers, teachers, scout leaders, family members, and other people that generally are given or have some authority over children abuse kids.

We also briefly touch on the change proposed to the Ohio Board of Education, as well as, briefly touching on the Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs.