The Ohio Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the state’s Republican-dominated redistricting commission to appear in person and explain why it shouldn’t be held in contempt of court for failing to draw fair state legislative maps.
So cut to the chase, what are the penalties for contempt of court in this matter? Slap on the wrist?
A note on their permanent records?
$25 and court costs (waived)?
“Respondents may be accompanied by their counsel,” Thursday’s order noted. “No continuances will be granted.”
I can’t speak to Ohio law. However, this doesn’t sound like a court that intends a slap on the wrist.
Instead of responding to the court order to adopt a new plan by 2/18 the r’s decided to follow the example of that luminary, jim jordan, and just look the other way
Ay, oh, way to go, Ohio…
Off to the US Supreme Court, where a majority will hold that the Court’s recent precedent that it does not have the authority to intervene in cases of political gerrymandering does not preclude its intervening in this case of political gerrymandering because not all political parties are created equal.
“What is clear from all of this is that this Court may not hold in contempt individual members of the constitutionally created Ohio Redistricting Commission who have themselves violated no order directed at them,” the Republican leaders wrote.
“Such a precipitous action would raise grave separation of powers issues that this Court should decline to confront. In any event, it may be unnecessary as the Speaker and the President anticipate the Commission will vote on a new plan this week.”
Gov. Mike DeWine’s (R) filing similarly stressed that he was “but one member of a seven-member commission.”
A hearing has been set for Tuesday morning.
“Respondents may be accompanied by their counsel,” Thursday’s order noted. “No continuances will be granted.”
So, will be interesting to see if the Republicans only bring the Committee’s counsel rather than individual counsel. After all, they are claiming they can’t be held individually in contempt, therefore they should not bring individual counsel. Right?!?
The Ohio Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the state’s Republican-dominated redistricting commission to appear in person and explain why it shouldn’t be held in contempt of court for failing to draw fair state legislative maps.
“Bring a toothbrush.”
State Senate President Matt Huffman (R) and state House Speaker Bob Cupp (R), who represent the Ohio legislature’s Republican majority on the commission, made a legal argument that members couldn’t be held in contempt individually, because the court’s orders had applied to the commission as a whole.
“What is clear from all of this is that this Court may not hold in contempt individual members of the constitutionally created Ohio Redistricting Commission who have themselves violated no order directed at them,” the Republican leaders wrote.
You guys wanted to be the leader in your respective chambers, so suck it up boys and lead.
What is “clear” to them and to the court may well be two different things.
I can imagine the discussion.
Look, you guys, see this paper? See it? That’s the US Constitution. It’s the supreme law of the land. You can’t violate it or your laws and regulations are no good. Didn’t you guys go to seventh grade?
This is the OH state supreme court, but it is an example that these fools don’t believe in three branches of gov’t.
“You know, the House, the Senate, and the executive.” - Tommy Tuberville (Constitutional scholar - Alabama)
WTH…taking ethics rules seriously and abiding by them? This guy isn’t long for today’s GOP, that much is clear.
May not get invited to Thanksgiving Dinner, either.
Pretty much kills any dreams of replacing Clarence Thomas.
Cleveland.com reported midday Thursday that Supreme Court Justice Pat DeWine had recused himself from the hearing. His father is the governor.
…and there you have it in a nutshell. Son of the governor is on the supreme court. Ohio is a company town of a state. I know lots of good people from Ohio. None want to go back.
We are the Republican Cult Party and we don’t have to obey any stink-in laws we don’t agree with.
The court, with Republican Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor leading the majority, ordered the commission to adopt a new redistricting plan for the state by Feb. 18. No plan came. So O’Connor ordered the defendants to explain in writing why they shouldn’t be held in contempt.
What followed was an olympic round of finger-pointing, cleveland.com reported, with Republican members blaming everything from lack of access to map-making software to the time crunch of the court-imposed 10-day schedule.
Also, respect to O’Connor for actually holding the Ohio GOP’s feet to the fire for clearly violating an Ohio Constitutional requirement.
An interesting case here. DeWine is claiming it ain’t him? Okaaay…