Order for general election statewide ballot issues set

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted has announced the order of the two statewide issues that will appear on the Nov. 7 general election ballot. Those issues are:

• Issue 1: Ohio crime victims proposed initiated constitutional amendment

• Issue 2: Ohio prescription drug proposed initiated statute

Issue 1, known as Marsy’s Law, according to supporters “would have the right to notification of all proceedings as well as be guaranteed the right to be heard at every step of the process. Victims would have the right to have input on all plea deals for offenders as well as the right to restitution resulting from the financial impact of the crime.”

Issue 2, “Ohio Drug Price Relief Act,” proposes to prohibit the state from paying more for the price of prescription drugs than the price the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs pays. Supporters of the citizeninitiated statute say it will end price-gouging practices of the drug industry. Opponents, like Ohioans Against the Deceptive Rx Ballot Issue campaign manager Curt Steiner, say the ”deceptive and vaguely worded initiative won’t fix the problem or do what it promises.”

According to Husted’s Office, the Ohio Ballot Board will convene at a later date to approve the final language that will accompany each issue in November.