It’s a good question — one for the Supreme Court of Ohio

It’s a good question — one for the Supreme Court of Ohio

Lima News: However you feel about ProgressOhio.org trying to unseat Ohio development director Mark Kvamme, the liberal group’s legal action last week raises important points. The obvious one is whether the Ohio Constitution means precisely as it says: “No person shall be elected or appointed to any office in this state unless possessed of the qualifications of an elector.”

Gov. John Kasich appointed Kvamme to run the Ohio Department of Development. The venture capitalist has the business background needed to help revitalize Ohio’s lagging economy. He’s working for $1 as the Department of Development moves toward privatization. The problem is that he’s a resident of California. The further trouble could be that, if Kvamme is ineligible to serve, any actions taken by the department under his charge could be nullified.

Democrats and others on the left cite a 1982 opinion from then-Atty. Gen. Lee Fisher, a Democrat, that kept then-Gov. George Voinovich, a Republican, from making an appointment. Such opinions are neither law nor binding.

ProgressOhio.org filed its complaint in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, but this is a matter the Ohio Supreme Court needs to settle. If the Ohio Constitution means what it says, it’s time to talk about whether we want to expand the applicant pool for the state’s top jobs.