Ohio Constitution: History and Amendments
Ohio's Constitution, dating back to the Northwest Ordinance and first approved in 1802, is the fundamental law of the state. The Constitution of 1851, which revised the government structure, has seen significant amendments over the years, addressing diverse issues like worker protection, local government authority, and environmental cleanup. The process for amending the constitution involves approval by the General Assembly or through petitions. Various amendments have shaped Ohio's governance, including authorizations for state funding, addressing property classification for taxes, and establishing term limits for legislators.
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Presentation Transcript
Ohio Constitution Time to learn about it! (Can you tell how it compares/contrastswith the United States Constitution?)
A constitution is The fundamental law of a state or nation. Written document agreed to by the people. Gets its power/authority from the people it governs. Organizes government into branches, explains what their powers are, and specifies how those powers are to be exercised.
OHIOS CONSTITUTION Is the fundamental law of Ohio. Is second only to The United States Constitution, Acts of Congress (federal level), or Treaties that the United States has entered into with other nations.
Ohios constitution history dates back to the Northwest Ordinance! was first approved by Congress in 1802 1ststep to Ohio s admission into the Union as a state. Ohio became a state in 1803! that is the fundamental law of Ohio today is actually the 2ndconstitution! It s called the Constitution of 1851 , and Has been amended to be the law we know today. It substantially revised the relationships among the 3 branches of Ohio s government.
Under the Constitution of 1851 Proposed amendments to the Constitution that are agreed to by three-fifths (3/5) of the members of each house of the General Assembly are submitted to the voters for approval or rejection. Amendments may also be proposed by initiative petition and constitutional convention.
Important amendments approved in 1912 Court and legislative reform Protections for workers Increased authority for local government Initiative and referendum
Amendments to the OC since 1912 Many amendments have authorized the issuance of state bonds (funding) for various purposes Veterans bonuses Highway & school construction Economic development Environmental cleanup Other amendments have dealt with a variety of issues Classification of property for tax purposes Organization of the judiciary branch Governor s power to grant pardons & communications Term limits for legislators Definition of marriage.
The Ohio Constitution Sets forth the framework and powers of state government. Provides the protections of a Bill of Rights. Is a starting point for researching a wide variety of issues. Is LARGE!!! The Ohio Constitution has over 36,000 words! The US Constitution has about 9,200 words.
Why is the OC so large? Its a working document. It s a catalog of legislative powers of the General Assembly Ohio s state congress. It s a legislative guide. It s a parliamentary guide. It s a drafting manual.
Still Why does it have to be so LOOOONG? More inclusive (detailed) than the United States Constitution. Has provisions pertaining to Elections Local government Finance & taxation Public education Many other subjects that the USC barely mentions or doesn t even mention! Ohio Constitution limits state government; United States Constitution delegates authority to the national government.
Hows the Ohio Constitution Structured? Broad categories highlighting basic features Organization of the Ohio Constitution Preamble I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XVI. XVII. XVIII. Schedule Preamble Bill of Rights 3 branches of government Provisions relating to administration of government and subject of law that applies to essential legal principles and rules of right. (Substantive Law) Conclusion Schedule (Dates & Transition from old to new Constitution) Bill of Rights Legislative Executive Judicial Elective Franchise Education Public Institutions Public Debt & Public Works Militia County & Township Organizations Apportionment Finance & Taxation Corporations Miscellaneous Amendments Elections Municipal Corporations
Principles of Government Separation of Powers Checks & Balances Means the powers of government are allocated to 3 separate branches, each with its own personnel. Prevents power from being concentrated in or abused by one branch of government. Examples: Governor can veto General Assembly can override a veto Courts make common law General Assembly can pass legislation that modifies common law Courts may restrain by declaring legislation unenforceable (unconstitutional) General Assembly has certain special powers: House can impeach; Senate tries impeachment cases Define jurisdiction of courts & create new courts; Dictate how judges are elected; Set pay of judges, the Governor, and other executive officers. A person in one branch can not exercise the powers given to another branch. Implied from the STRUCTURE of the document. 3 Separate Powers (legislative, executive, & judicial) brought together in 3 separate & distinct entities: General Assembly, Governor, & the Judiciary.
YOUR TURN! See how the two compare/contrast! OHIO CONSTITUTION UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION HOW ARE THEY SIMILAR? What about the Ohio Constitution is DIFFERENT than the US Constitution? List or describe at least 5 ways/things. What about the United States Constitution is DIFFERENT than the Ohio Constitution? List or describe at least 5 ways/things. List or describe at least 10 ways/ things that are the same or similar between the 2 documents.
If youre interested, you can take a look at these sites. I used them to make up this PowerPoint. There is a plethora of information out there about both the Ohio Constitution and the United States Constitution. These two documents were written for Ohio General Assembly members to get a grip on how the Ohio Constitution is structured, the history behind the document, and to help them do their jobs as our representatives at the state level. www.lsc.state.oh.us/guidebook/chapter1.pdf www.lsc.state.oh.us/membersonly/124ohioconstitution.pdf
