Letters: 'Superior beings' in Ohio Statehouse think they can sneak Issue 1 pass you

They are clearly superior beings

The contempt for ordinary Ohio citizens is on full display by some Statehouse politicians. 

According to the Ohio Senate president, we are not capable of understanding gun sale background checks, even though 91% of us think we do.

He and his cronies know better. It is too complicated for us.

Thomas Suddes: The Issue 1 'brawl' cuts deep. Republicans want Ohioans to work for them

Thomas Suddes: Think Ohio lawmakers are out of control now, they'll have near-monopoly if Issue 1 passes

We also need them to dictate what our children can read, hear, see or think.

Instead of love and compassion, our politicians attack and bully those who do not fit their mold of “correctness.”

Their superior understanding of what ‘God’ wants us to do gives them the right to politicize our public schools.

They want to use our money so certain people can attend their private for-profit schools that can teach children what they think is the truth.

Public schools may be left with those not meeting private school standards.

These superior beings also feel they are the judges of what Ohioans do with our own bodies.

Recently Attorney General Dave Yost signed onto a letter stating he has the right to Ohioans’ medical records who seek treatment in other states that may be abortion care. What is next?

Who will be their next target?

Ohioans know Issue 1 is very simple.

It is a power grab by politicians, who want to control us, not represent us. We must vote "no" and then vote the politicians out. We deserve representatives who listen to us.

Karen Adams, Delaware

A $20 million waste

We have just seen the legislature fund a $20 million special election regarding an amendment to Ohio’s constitution in violation of their own law which restricts August special elections to issues related to local entities that need to fund their budgets.

Our view: 'Power-hungry hypocrites' trying to con Ohio. Issue 1 about dominance, deceit

This money could be better spent on humanitarian needs of Ohioans such housing, food insecurity, human trafficking, and addiction. Another need that I have been made aware of as the president of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Central Ohio is funds for Ohio municipalities to provide respectful disposition of remains for their indigent residents.

Many of Ohio’s rural counties lack the funds to do this, relying on state funds for this purpose.

In the last two biennial budgets the state provided one million dollars annually to municipalities to bury or cremate their indigent residents.

The current biennial budget that Gov. Mike DeWine signed on July 4 did not include funds to reimburse municipalities. This is an oversight that should be corrected as I have indicated in my letter to the governor.

Cathy Elkins, president, Funeral Consumers Alliance of Central Ohio

Where's the IRS?

Does bishop’s endorsement threaten loss of tax free status?

The August 3 article "Catholics get mixed messages on Issue 1," noted that “The Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus, Earl Fernandes, encourages Catholics to vote ‘yes’ on Issue 1,” said an official July 23 bulletin from St. Peter Roman Catholic Church on Columbus’ Northwest Side.”

Is this considered an endorsement and should this threaten the church to lose their tax exempt status?

I hope that the IRS is checking this out.

William Cotton, Blacklick

Let's address housing crisis head on

Housing is a human right, and I am dedicated to ensuring that principle becomes reality in Columbus.

As the chair of Columbus City Council’s Housing Committee, I championed the 2021 Housing for All legislative package, three policies that strengthened renter protections.

That was just the beginning of our work. Earlier this year, city council announced our 2023 housing initiatives, a 12-policy package that seeks to invest in our city through the sustainable development of new affordable units, preserve our current housing stock, and ensure the market is inclusive of all people, regardless of socio-economic status.

These initiatives represent a team effort at city council to address our looming housing crisis.

On July 31, council passed five pieces of legislation to keep people in their homes and prevent evictions.

In just four months, Council passed six of the 12 initiatives.

These policies range from third party payment and pay to stay; critical renter protections that help tenants prevent an eviction, to $350,000 in down payment assistance as part of a $1,000,000 fund aimed at increasing homeownership opportunities.

While these policies alone will not solve our crisis, they are a giant step toward addressing it.

I urge the business sector, builders, housing advocates and all stakeholders to continue to work together to address this crisis head on. The prosperity of our city and region depend on it.

Shayla Favor, Columbus

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Issue 1: 'Superior beings' in Statehouse want to control us| Letters