Republicans Power Grab a Continued Assault on People's Right to Hold Government Accountable

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Anita Somani (D-Dublin) today released the following statement following the passage of the undemocratic House Bill 1 through the Ohio House of Representatives: 

“This is an attack on direct democracy in Ohio. It is a blatant attempt to suppress the voices of Ohio’s citizens who made their stances on abortion and marijuana legalization clear through ballot initiatives last November,” said Rep. Somani.

House Bill 1 claims to ban foreign money contributions to elections, but the truth is that these kinds of contributions are already illegal under federal law. The bill’s broad language for enforcement will create a chilling effect on ballot initiative campaigns as people will be afraid to get caught up in lengthy election investigations. This is anti-democratic and takes away one of the few ways that citizens can make their will heard.