Testimony in Support of HB-607, the “Loyal Delegate” BillTestimony in Support of HB-607, the “Loyal Delegate” Bill On June 25, representatives from Convention of States (COS) Ohio testified before the Ohio House Government Oversight Committee in support of HB-607, a bill that would establish procedures for selecting delegates to a potential Article V convention. COS Testimony * Bill Scott (State Director): * 76% of Ohioans support an Article V convention, including 82% of Republicans, 69% of Democrats, and 77% of independents. * The bill is not just about preparing for a convention but also about affirming responsible governance and foresight. * Vicky Geraci (District Captain): * 13 of 19 states have passed the COS resolution with bipartisan support. * Ohio’s COS resolution received bipartisan support in 2015 and 2017. * Justice Antonin Scalia supported the Article V amendment process as a remedy for Congress’s professionalization. * Ginnie Morgan (State Grassroots Coordinator): * Amendments proposed in a state convention require bipartisan input and ratification. * The country faces significant problems that require compromise and cooperation. Call for Action HB-607 must now be scheduled for opponent testimony. Additional Information * Recorded testimony from the June 25 hearing: https://tinyurl.com/y8rmjyyb * For more information about COS and Article V: www.conventionofstates.com Disclaimer The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of COS Action or its affiliates.
By Diana Telles, State Communications Coordinator, Ohio
On Tuesday, June 25, three witnesses from COS Ohio leadership offered testimony from advocates in support of HB-607, the companion “loyal delegate” bill to COS resolution HJR-3. Both bills are currently being debated in the Ohio House.
HB-607 establishes comprehensive procedures for Ohio to select delegates to each state convention under the authority of Article V. In short, this legislation should address the common concerns we often hear about the selection of state convention delegates and the authority of the delegation.
Finally, in today’s busy lineup in the House Government Oversight Committee, our team presented compelling points to committee members in favor of HB-607, with not a single substantive question from the committee arising.
While it is possible that representatives were concerned that the hearing had continued well past the lunch break, it is clear that our witnesses came forward today to give the committee rock-solid testimony. They made it easy to understand the importance of invoking an Article V convention and passing this new common-sense legislation that sets a framework for the proper appointment of commissioners in a convention.
COS Ohio State Director Bill Scott took the opportunity to remind the committee that a recent Susquehanna poll found that 76% of Ohioans overwhelmingly support the call for an Article V convention.
Taking into account concerns about partisan bias heard in HB-607’s sponsor testimony earlier this month, Bill went on to promote bipartisan support of a convention, citing that 82% of Republicans are in favor responded, along with 69% of Democrats. and 77% of independents/no party affiliations.
Bill then informed the committee: “There will be an Article V convention… it is not a matter of “if,” but of when. This bill is not just about preparing for an Article V convention. It is about affirming a commitment to responsible governance, accountability and the sound principles of foresight and preparation.”
Following Bill’s lead, Vicky Geraci, district captain for Ohio House Districts 60, 61 and 98, took the bipartisan messaging even further, stating that 13 of the 19 states had passed the COS resolution with bipartisan support. Additionally, Vicki noted that Ohio’s COS resolution received bipartisan support in 2015 and 2017, with Democratic co-sponsor Bill Patmon citing the national debt as a primary concern.
Vickie went on to dare to invoke the words of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. This was a bold and important move, as opponents of Article V consistently twist Scalia’s words about a state convention into a warning message.
Vicki referenced Scalia’s concerns in 1979, when he insisted that Congress had become “professionalized.” Contradicting all the previous testimony of our hyperbolic opponents, she quoted Scalia’s solution to Congress’s injustice: “One remedy for that, which is specifically set forth in the Constitution, is this amendment process that bypasses Congress.”
Rounding out the testimony was Ginnie Morgan, State Grassroots Coordinator, who promoted self-government in a time of division. She reminded committee members that amendments proposed in a state convention require bipartisan input and will not be ratified without bipartisan support.
Applying a more human aspect to the message, Ginnie complimented all the statesmen and stateswomen on their excellence. She reminded the committee that our country has big problems to solve, and quoted a coaster from her mother’s wall: “Be gentle in your opinions until you’ve walked a mile in someone else’s moccasins.”
Ginnie concluded her testimony with a plea for cooperation, asking questions of the committee members that she herself admits:
- Can these problems be solved?
- Can we speak out boldly to find common ground that has broad appeal?
- What are the areas of compromise?
- Are we willing to listen to each other’s moccasin story?
As noted in the Ohio House, HB-607 must now be scheduled for opponent testimony. Recorded testimony for HB-607, held on June 25, 2024, begins at the 1 hour and 38 minute mark: https://tinyurl.com/y8rmjyyb
For more information about the actions of the Convention of States and the instrument our Founders gave us in Article V, please visit www.conventionofstates.com.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Convention of States Action, its employees or affiliates.
