The biggest political story of the spring is abortion. That's thanks to the leaked majority opinion that indicates a majority of the U.S. Supreme Court is ready to overturn Roe vs Wade.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown talk to Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life, about his efforts to change Ohio law.
Pushing for a trigger law on abortion
Polls consistently show that roughly two-thirds of Americans and about 55% of Ohioans support legal access to abortion with restrictions. But if the U.S. Supreme Court does in fact overturn Roe v. Wade, 13 states have laws in place that will go into effect and ban abortions.
Opponents of abortion rights in Ohio want the state to be the 14th.
The so-called trigger law would ban abortions except in cases where the life of the mother is in danger. There is no exception for rape or incest.
Last week we spoke with State Senator Nicki Antonio (D-Lakewood). She is one of several Democrats at the statehouse ready to propose a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights and the rights to contraception.
Snollygoster of the week
This week, Secretary of State Frank LaRose argued strongly for a proposed amendment to the Ohio constitution that would make it illegal for non-U.S. citizens to vote in elections.
Of course, it’s already illegal. Ohio law prohibits it. But LaRose said Ohio needs it because cities in Ohio could try to emulate New York which will allow non-citizens to vote in its municipal election.
In his argument, he points out that he successfully blocked the village of Yellow Springs from allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections. In other words, Ohio Law worked and he's the guy who enforced it.
Send questions and comments to snollygoster@wosu.org.