The Ohio House will begin deliberations on the Executive Budget proposal presented by Governor DeWine.  A House version will be proposed, followed by a Senate version.  In June a conference committee will deliberate and propose compromises based upon the three versions.  A balanced budget must be enacted by July 1, 2019.

The Catholic Conference of Ohio will be elvaluating and offering recommendations throughout the process.

The Ohio Senate passed SB 23 by a vote of 19-13.  The bill generally prohibits a physician from performing an abortion on an unborn child whose fetal heartbeat has been detected (usually around 10 weeks).  The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in support of this legislation.

The Senate also passed SR 41 by a vote of 32-0.  This resolution urges Congress to enact the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,” which would guarantee adequate medical care is given to babies born after surviving an attempted abortion. The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in support of this resolution.

Watch the Senate floor debates

Gov. Mike DeWine announced that he is halting executions until the state devises a new lethal injection protocol that overcomes any court challenges. He did not issue a formal stay of all executions but said “As long as the status quo remains, where we don’t have a protocol that has been found to be OK, we certainly cannot have any executions in Ohio. That would not be right, at least in my opinion.”

He directed prison officials to come up with a new protocol, which will likely face legal challenge in federal court.

Archbishop Dennis Schnurr, writing on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Ohio, commended the Governor for this action.

Ohioans to Stop Executions Link

Catholic Teaching on the Death Penalty

The Catholic Conference of Ohio supports passage of SB 13, the "Protect Trafficked Minors Act". This bill will help protect minors up to age 18 years old from being “trafficked”. Currently, only children up to age 16 years old are fully protected under Ohio law. The bill is pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The Catholic Conference of Ohio believes it is important for Ohio to continue strengthening protections for victims of human trafficking. SB 13 provides yet another series of helpful changes. Such changes will help ensure that minors up to age 18 will have a greater degree of protection under Ohio law.

Sponsor Testimony from Senator Teresa Fedor

Catholic Conference of Ohio Action Alert

Pope Francis named Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, an auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, as the 12th bishop of the diocese of Columbus. Bishop-designate Brennan will replace Bishop Campbell, who reached the mandatory retirement age for bishops when he turned 75 last August. 

“It makes me incredibly happy to walk this journey with you, to lead the Church of Columbus, to serve as your Pastor,” Bishop Brennan said in a statement.  “I look forward to walking the journey with you as your pastor sharing the ‘Joy of the Gospel’ and the ‘Splendor of Truth.’  And if we can laugh, and sing, and raise our voices in praise of God along the way, then all the better.  I am already praying fervently for the Church of Columbus every day.  May I humbly ask your prayers for me." 

Bishop Campbell will continue to lead the Columbus diocese until the new bishop is installed on Friday, March 29, at St. Joseph Cathedral.