This archive report was first published on 8 May 2020.
Ohio Governor Faces Backlash from Republican Lawmakers ¶
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's reopening plan has faced opposition from Republican lawmakers, who accuse him of exaggerating coronavirus statistics to scare Ohioans.
As the state enters the tricky phase of reopening businesses, Mr. DeWine has found himself facing an open revolt from members of his own party.
Republicans have accused his administration of goosing coronavirus statistics to scare Ohioans, with one state senator attacking Mr. DeWine for 'micromanaging' residents and having no faith in them.
On Wednesday, Republican lawmakers in the Ohio House of Representatives voted to limit the authority of the state's health director, Dr. Amy Acton, who appears at Mr. DeWine's daily news briefings.
The governor said he would veto the bill if it came to him.
Published on May 8, 2020, at 4:24 PM ET, the article highlights the growing rebellion by Republican legislators across the country against their governors who are arguing that stay-at-home orders and nonessential business closures are smothering the economy and violating rights.
While the economic pain from the virus and its response grows more intense by the day, surveys have shown broad support for stay-at-home policies, and even concern about the prospect of things opening up too quickly.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that 'virtually all retail,' including businesses like barbershops and nail salons, would be allowed to open by May 15 as long as they adhered to certain guidelines like wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
For many who have lost their jobs in Ohio, the desire to return to work is mixed with an unrelenting fear of the virus.
Some of the conflict between governors and lawmakers is a basic power struggle over how to respond to a crisis.
