Mansfield-area lawmakers vote to override DeWine's veto of health order bill

MANSFIELD - State Rep. Marilyn John and state Sen. Mark Romanchuk joined their fellow Republicans Wednesday in voting to override Gov. Mike DeWine's veto of a bill that would change how health orders work.  

Senate Bill 22, which takes effect in 90 days, gives lawmakers the power to reject or modify statewide health orders, such as mask mandates, and lets the Ohio General Assembly extend or end state of emergency declarations. 

The Senate voted 23-10 to override DeWine’s veto; the House held a 62-35 override vote soon after. Both votes were largely along party lines.

John, a former Richland County commissioner serving her first term in the Ohio House of Representatives, said in a statement that Ohio's government "is supposed to be three co-equal branches implemented through checks and balances on one another."

“After over a year of mandated health orders and shutdowns, it's time that you the people, my constituency, have more of a say on the orders being enacted — Senate Bill 22 will change that and I am proud to have supported it," John said. "I want to ensure that your voice is represented, and Senate Bill 22 helps me as a legislator make that a reality.”

John represents Ohio's 2nd House District, or all of Richland County, while Romanchuk represents Ohio's 22nd Senate District, which includes portions of Richland, Ashland and Medina counties.