Which way would be the CORRECT way to vote, on Issue 2, to NOT EXEMPT the GOVERNOR, his Administration, and ALL/ANY PUBLIC EMPLOYEES from being treated the SAME as PRIVATE SECTOR employees, when it comes to PAY RAISES, VACATIONS/PAY, PENSIONS, etc. etc…i.e. I understand, it is written within Senate Bill 5, that THEY are EXEMPT from the RESTRICTIONS EVERYBODY ELSE
is INCLUDED in…THEY should be treated EQUALLY on these issues…RIGHTFULLY SO !!!!!!…

by the way, check out the website http://www.ohioact.org. it has identified the top 10 contributors in support of issue 2. the top contributor is an out of state corporation, the united egg producers. so much for issue 2 being an attempt to protect us from “out of state” interests. also, all of the top ten contributors in support of issue 2 are either corporations or the farm bureau. so much for issue 2 supporting small farms and “safe, local food.”

vote no on issue 2.

What did it take to twist the arms of all the members of both the House and Senate to make them take such a draconian measure? If we change the Constitution every time the wind blows from the wrong direction, what value remains in it? What next? Change the US Constitution to remove free speech and religious freedom?

The text of issue 2 shows just how rushed the process was and how little thought went into doing the job right. The Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board is not even an imperfect solution. It is not a solution at all. The correct solution is to add the proper language into Ohio Revised Code, a process that would require both the House and Senate to debate and agree on language and the Governor to sign the bill into law.

We are being told that this Board will protect farms from animal rights groups, but what will protect the farmers from the Board, a panel of bureaucrats without accountability?

After reading the proposed resolution, we have several questions regarding Issue 2.

Why did the Ohio Farmers Union decide to oppose issue 2 in their August meeting?

Will we need a license or permit to own and raise livestock in this state?

Will special training and classes be required to obtain the right to raise livestock?

Will someone come to our farm to ensure that we follow the guidelines set forth by this Board, without search warrants or probable cause?

Will we be criminals, and subject to fines/prison if we disagree with the standards set by the Board and fail to comply?

Will these board members be paid? If so, who decides their salary?

How will the actions of this board be funded: by taxpayers or farmers?

How will Board decrees be enforced?

How long will the terms of appointees be? Indefinite or limited?

Why is this Board given “excusive authority to establish standards governing the care and well-being of livestock and poultry in this state” instead of the farmer?

Why are the members of this Board appointed (10 by Governor) and not voted into their position by the farmers themselves?

What appeal process will be available for those who wish to challenge the standards set by this Board? Will that appeal require a fee also?

Why only three “family farmers”? Won’t they be outnumbered by the other 10 non-farmers?

What effect will the approval of the Board have on organic and all natural farms?

Why is Farm Bureau using fear to provoke the acceptance of this amendment?

Will this Board view livestock as the private property of the farmers with Divine right to govern them as their own conscience directs? Or is livestock the property of the State?

Will this Board establish rules regarding vaccines?

Will we be required to keep updated farm records and submit them annually to this board?

Will the Amish of Ohio be exempt from any rules that contradict their religious beliefs?

Why would we want to establish a government entity to “protect us (farmers) from special interest groups” when the very way these groups achieve their goals is to lobby and control government entities?

Doesn’t this proposed amendment contradict the original FFA Creed. paragraph three, which states:

I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of organized farmers to serve our own and public interest in marketing the product of our toil. I believe we can safeguard those rights against practices and policies that are unfair.
If we have sworn the oath of the Pledge Of Allegiance, which professes “Liberty and Justice for all,” since this amendment takes the liberty to raise livestock from an individual farmer and gives it to the direct control of the State, would we be committing hypocrisy according to our spoken oath?

Are horses included under the authority of this Board? If not, shouldn’t they be protected from animal rights groups too and be subject to the standards decreed by this Board?

Is forfeiture of liberty the only way to protect livestock farms in Ohio from animal rights groups? Are there other options available?

In conclusion, we support the opposition to Issue 2 as expressed by the Ohio Farmers Union, The League of Women Voters, Ohio Food and Water Watch, The Ohio Environmental Stewardship Alliance, and all the major newspapers in Ohio.

Adding another regulatory board increases government intervention. The more regulations, the less a small business can afford to comply. I too believe that the voters of Ohio should have the ability to vote for or against laws. Regulatory boards are not accountable to the voters; voters don’t have the opportunity to vote regulations up or down.

Consumers and voters can make decisions according to their values and beliefs if given the information. Animal advocacy groups should continue to shed light on the abusive practices and people can react accordingly.