Gov. Mike DeWine's coronavirus orders are being challenged by state lawmakers.
Gov. Mike DeWine's coronavirus orders are being challenged by state lawmakers.
Democratic State Sen. Vernon Sykes last week voted against SB 311, which would limit the power of the governor and the state Department of Health to issue mandatory statewide quarantine orders during health emergencies.
Senators moved to pass the legislation by a seven-vote margin, which amounted to a defeat for Republican Gov. Mike DeWine. Under the bill, the Department of Health could not issue a general statewide order against people who have not been directly exposed to – or medically diagnosed with – the malady that is the topic of the order.
The bill would also give the legislature the authority to rescind some Department of Health orders aimed at containing the spread of infectious diseases.
“Unscripted Ohio” blogger Kyle Lamb congratulated the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Rob McColley, about the Sept. 23 Senate vote on the bill, which applies to both statewide and regional health mandates.
“The bill passed the Senate 20-13,” Lamb said on Twitter. “Shame on the ‘nays.’ I hope the House does its part.”
The state’s coronavirus orders have come under fire by some as too restrictive. Last week, the Avon Lake Soccer Organization issued a warning to parent spectators to wear masks during games because fines and jail time could result under recent health orders.
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How Ohio State Senators Voted on SB 311
| State Senator | Political Affiliation | Vote on SB 311 |
| Louis Blessing | R | Yea |
| Andrew Brenner | R | Yea |
| Dave Burke | R | Yea |
| Bill Coley | R | Yea |
| John Eklund | R | Yea |
| Theresa Gavarone | R | Yea |
| Bob Hackett | R | Yea |
| Frank Hoagland | R | Yea |
| Jay Hottinger | R | Yea |
| Matt Huffman | R | Yea |
| Stephen Huffman | R | Yea |
| Terry Johnson | R | Yea |
| Nathan Manning | R | Yea |
| Rob McColley | R | Yea |
| Larry Obhof | R | Yea |
| Bob Peterson | R | Yea |
| Kristina Roegner | R | Yea |
| Michael Rulli | R | Yea |
| Tim Schaffer | R | Yea |
| Steve Wilson | R | Yea |
| Nickie Antonio | D | Nay |
| Hearcel Craig | D | Nay |
| Matt Dolan | R | Nay |
| Teresa Fedor | D | Nay |
| Stephanie Kunze | R | Nay |
| Peggy Lehner | R | Nay |
| Tina Maharath | D | Nay |
| Sean O'Brien | D | Nay |
| Kirk Schuring | R | Nay |
| Vernon Sykes | D | Nay |
| Cecil Thomas | D | Nay |
| Sandra Williams | D | Nay |
| Kenny Yuko | D | Nay |
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