Ohio House Democrats Applaud Ohioans for Speaking Up and Governor Mike DeWine for his Commonsense Vetoes

COLUMBUS - Ohio House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) today, following Governor Mike DeWine's vetoes of House Bills (HB) 472 and 173 this morning, released the following statement:

"Governor DeWine's vetoes are a victory for Ohioans who deserve lower costs, strong consumer protections, and free and fair access to the ballot despite the Republican legislature's blatant attempt to undermine Ohio's absentee voters for their own political gain.

Ohio House Democrats listened to renters, seniors, utility customers, voting-rights advocates, election officials, and Ohioans across the state and carried those concerns into committee hearings, conversations with stakeholders, and debate on the House floor. Today, those voices were heard.

HB 472 would have created new barriers to absentee voting without making Ohio elections any more secure. Instead of protecting voters, the bill would have made it harder for seniors, military families, overseas voters, and Ohioans facing unexpected hardships to participate in our democracy.

When it comes to HB 173, Ohio consumers deserve the strongest possible protections for utility services and billing practices. Weakening oversight of submetering companies could leave Ohio families with fewer protections and higher costs at a time when too many are already struggling to make ends meet.

These vetoes demonstrate what can happen when Ohioans speak out against policies and special interests that make their lives harder. Ohio House Democrats pushed for these vetoes because we are fighting for an Ohio we can afford and an Ohio where voting remains free, fair, and accessible.

When fewer people vote and consumers have fewer protections, working families pay the price. Our focus remains on lowering costs, protecting consumers, and ensuring every eligible Ohioan can make their voice heard at the ballot box."

Previously, Ohio House Democrats sent a letter to Governor DeWine encouraging him to veto HB 472 after its passage in the House. Reps. Tristan Rader (D-Cleveland) and Sean Brennan (D-Parma) also sent a letter to Governor DeWine encouraging him to veto HB 173 after its passage as well.