Bill Text: OH HCR61 | 2013-2014 | 130th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: To urge candidates for statewide offices in the 2014

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-11-18 - To Policy and Legislative Oversight [HCR61 Detail]

Download: Ohio-2013-HCR61-Introduced.html

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As Introduced

130th General Assembly Regular Session 2013-2014

H. C. R. No. 61

Representatives Curtin, Sykes 

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A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

To urge candidates for statewide offices in the 2014

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general election to participate in public debates

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with their opponents.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF OHIO
(THE SENATE CONCURRING):

WHEREAS, There are multiple qualified candidates on the	4
ballot in the 2014 general election for Governor, Auditor of	5
State, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Treasurer of	6
State; and	7

WHEREAS, Some qualifying candidates for statewide offices	8
have refused to participate in any debates scheduled prior to the	9
general election that will be held on November 4, 2014; and	10

WHEREAS, Candidates for Governor of Ohio have publicly	11
debated each other before every election since 1978; and	12

WHEREAS, Public debates represent a civic and moral	13
obligation for candidates to make their ideas and agenda for the	14
direction of our state clear and known to the general public in a	15
forum proposed by established, reputable organizations with a	16
history of fostering debate and discussion that lends itself to	17
greater scrutiny from the electorate; and	18

WHEREAS, A social contract established with the ratification	19
of the Declaration of Independence and the United States	20
Constitution requires that the government's only true power is	21
granted through the consent of the American People, who elect	22
public officials to act on behalf of their best interests; and	23

WHEREAS, The power of public officials is only a reflection	24
of the power of the People; thusly the People should have every	25
opportunity to adequately and appropriately evaluate and select	26
their representatives based on their beliefs of what the best	27
interests of the people include and require; and	28

WHEREAS, A primary goal of the Ohio General Assembly should	29
be to engage, inform, and encourage participation among Ohio	30
voters; now therefore be it	31

RESOLVED, That the General Assembly of the State of Ohio	32
urges candidates for statewide offices to agree to debates between	33
themselves and other qualified candidates appearing on the ballot,	34
which are to be held prior to the start of voting in the general	35
election and broadcast on statewide television and via online	36
streaming; and be it further	37

RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives	38
transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the news	39
media of Ohio.	40