Mike DeWine’s Disappointing Veto

On December 29, 2023, Governor Mike DeWine vetoed House Bill 68, which would have banned puberty blockers and surgeries in service of medical transitions of minors as well as prevented male athletes from competing in girls’ sports in Ohio. This veto of House Bill 68 is at odds with what Ohioans believe. It is difficult for me, as a state legislator in Ohio, to have our chief executive and fellow Republican disappoint so thoroughly. He once again jettisoned common sense to listen to select liberal voices in the medical establishment. Thankfully, this time he is alone among our Republican elected officials. I proudly co-sponsored and voted for House Bill 68, and I look forward to voting to override the governor’s veto, putting the safety of Ohio’s children first.

In the state legislature, we passed House Bill 68 on December 13 with veto-proof majorities in both chambers and knew a veto was a possibility. To make the bill more amenable to the state senate and ensure sufficient votes for an override, it was amended to include a grandfather clause for those currently receiving treatment, and to stipulate that only one parent had to consent to counseling related to gender treatment instead of both. Even with these concessions, the governor took the direct act of standing against the legislation with a veto.

AM

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Adam Mathews

Adam Mathews is a Republican state representative from southwest Ohio, married with five kids.

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On December 29, 2023, Governor Mike DeWine vetoed House Bill 68, which would have banned puberty blockers and surgeries in service of medical transitions of minors as well as prevented male athletes from competing in girls’ sports in Ohio. This veto of House Bill 68 is at odds with what Ohioans believe. It is difficult for me, as a state legislator in Ohio, to have our chief executive and fellow Republican disappoint so thoroughly. He once again jettisoned common sense to listen to select liberal voices in the medical establishment. Thankfully, this time he is alone among our Republican elected officials. I proudly co-sponsored and voted for House Bill 68, and I look forward to voting to override the governor’s veto, putting the safety of Ohio’s children first.

In the state legislature, we passed House Bill 68 on December 13 with veto-proof majorities in both chambers and knew a veto was a possibility. To make the bill more amenable to the state senate and ensure sufficient votes for an override, it was amended to include a grandfather clause for those currently receiving treatment, and to stipulate that only one parent had to consent to counseling related to gender treatment instead of both. Even with these concessions, the governor took the direct act of standing against the legislation with a veto.