Ohio Maps at Impasse | News, Sports, Jobs

The Ohio State Supreme Court finds itself in an odd position after ordering the Redistricting Commission to submit new political maps by Feb. 17. Members of the commission simply ignored the court’s order. It truly is as though the court is dealing with children who are happy to endure being yelled at because they believe their bad behavior was worth it.

As pointed out in an Axios analysis of the situation, the state Supreme Court ruled in 1997 that lawmakers must enact a constitutional state education funding model. Elected representatives of the people continue to ignore that order, without penalty.

Meanwhile, while Redistricting Commission members pretend they are at an “impasse,” it is likely their disregard will mean a pushback of Ohio’s planned May 3 election.

“We can’t just flip a switch and hold a primary,” Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose told the commission.

They know that. They just don’t care, it seems.

Meanwhile, as noted in the Axios report, the majority (5-2) Republican commission still has a job to do. They’ve got to present a new Statehouse map and a new congressional district map.

It is a shame to say it, but it appears as though the state Supreme Court will have to come up with a penalty that has some teeth, if commission members are to be spurred to do the right thing.