Mathews & Schmidt Hold Press Conference on Legislation to Prohibit State Funding of Death in Ohio

COLUMBUS, OH -- State Representatives Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) and Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) held a press conference Tuesday on soon-to-be introduced bipartisan legislation to prohibit the use of state funds to end the lives of Ohioans.

The bill will abolish the death penalty in Ohio, prohibit the use of state funds for assisted suicide, and clarify the state’s prohibition against the use of state funds for abortion. Critically, the bill links each issue with a non-severability clause, underscoring the sponsors’ unity of purpose through a comprehensive affirmation of life.

“This ‘first of its kind’ legislation will protect state dollars, and more importantly, human life,” said Schmidt during the press conference. “Decades of crusading against a culture of death have brought us here to affirm that protecting life must extend to every circumstance and stage of development. To be consistent in our pro-life principles, we must oppose the state funding of abortion, the death penalty, and assisted suicide.”

“This is transformative legislation that represents a new era of fiscal and moral conservatism and responsibility,” said Mathews. “This is more than just policy; this is about the affirmation that where there is human life, there is dignity and hope. By prohibiting public funds from being used to terminate human life, this legislation sends a clear message that Ohio will not fund death.”

The representatives were joined by State Senator Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City), Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood), and Senate Assistant Minority Leader Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus), as well as the Executive Director of the Catholic Conference of Ohio, Brian Hickey, and Founder of the Run the Race Club, Rachel Muha.

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