Feud could be a factor as Republicans try to make it harder to amend the Ohio constitution

There's a question around the Statehouse for which an answer seems elusive - would Republican members of the Ohio House who are trying to pass a resolution to make it harder to pass amendments need 59 or 60 votes to send it to the ballot?

Since the beginning of this year, there’s been friction between Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) and Republican Caucus Leader Derek Merrin (R-Monclova Township). Merrin lost the bid for speaker to Stephens who enlisted the help of Democrats in getting elected to that position.

Since that time, the allegiances of Republican members have been divided between Merrin and Stephens. It's made it challenging at times to govern. And one of the things that hasn’t been happening is the filling of two vacant seats. Former Rep. Brian Baldridge (R-Winchester) was named director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture in January, and Rep. Kris Jordan (R-Ostrander) passed away in February.