COLUMBUS, Ohio-Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman is taking his fight to avoid answering questions about the state’s private school voucher program to the Ohio Supreme Court. The lawsuit seeks to eliminate the “EdChoice” private school voucher program, alleging that its funding violates the state’s constitutional duty to properly fund public schools. Huffman argues that he is protected from questioning under the Speech and Debate Clause of the Ohio Constitution, which shields legislators from judicially-compelled questioning.
While a lower court ruled that Huffman could avoid an in-person deposition, it allowed written questions limited to matters not covered by legislative privilege. Huffman’s appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court contends that compelling legislators to testify about legislative communications would have a chilling effect and could lead to future mischief. He argues that the constitutional challenges in the lawsuit do not hinge on questions about the legislative process. The appeal requests the Supreme Court to reverse the decision of the appellate court.
Senate President brings plea to avoid private school voucher questioning to Ohio Supreme Court
