1851 Center for Constitutional Law
122 E Main St. Columbus, OH 43215
mthompson@ohioconstitution.org
NOTE: ALL new contacts should be sent via email. We do not respond to inquiries made by phone.
(614)-340-9817
Thompson Discusses the Smoking Ban
Maurice Thompson, legal counsel and director of the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, discusses a Franklin County judge’s decision in favor of the Columbus-area bar Zeno’s, which had been cited with $30,000-plus in fines for breaking the statewide smoking ban. This is the first of four videos.
Thompson Discusses the Smoking Ban
Maurice Thompson, legal counsel and director of the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, discusses a Franklin County judge’s decision in favor of the Columbus-area bar Zeno’s, which had been cited with $30,000-plus in fines for breaking the statewide smoking ban. This is the second of four videos.
Thompson Discusses the Smoking Ban
Maurice Thompson, legal counsel and director of the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, discusses a Franklin County judge’s decision in favor of the Columbus-area bar Zeno’s, which had been cited with $30,000-plus in fines for breaking the statewide smoking ban. This is the third of four videos.
Thompson Discusses the Smoking Ban
Maurice Thompson, legal counsel and director of the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, discusses a Franklin County judge’s decision in favor of the Columbus-area bar Zeno’s, which had been cited with $30,000-plus in fines for breaking the statewide smoking ban. This is the fourth of four videos.
Ohio Issue 2 Town Hall Forum
View the opening statement delivered by Maurice Thompson on October 19, 2009 during the Ohio Issue 2 town hall forum.
The Stowers Tell Their Story
Jacqueline and John Stowers talk about their lives before and after a police raid of their home in LaGrange, Ohio in an interview with Maurice Thompson.
Ohio Voters Approve Health Care Freedom Amendment
On Nov. 8, 2011, Ohio voters voiced their strong opposition to overbearing and invasive health care mandates by passing the Ohio Health Care Freedom Amendment with 66% of the vote. Drafted by the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, the amendment preserves the freedom of Ohioans to choose their health care and health care coverage. Click here […]
Manna Storehouse appeals to the Ohio Supreme Court
On July 21, 2011, Manna Storehouse and the Stowers family, notoriously raided by a Health and Agriculture Department-led SWAT team for not maintaining a “retail food establishment” in operating their small, private-membership organic food cooperative in LaGrange, Ohio, moved the Supreme Court to protect their rights. The Stowers argue that the state’s imposition on their […]
Corsi v. Ohio Elections Commission
In an apparent retaliatory action against an outspoken critic, the Geauga County Board of Elections charged independent blogger Ed Corsi with violating campaign finance laws. The elections board forwarded a complaint to the Ohio Elections Commission (OEC), where Corsi faces fines of up to $1,000 a day. Corsi’s blog, http://www.geaugaconstitutionalcouncil.org, is critical of local government and […]
Signatures Submitted to Place Ohio Health Care Freedom Amendment on November Ballot
Columbus, OH – Supporters today will deliver more than 546,000 signatures to the Ohio Secretary of State to place the Ohio Health Care Freedom Amendment on the November ballot. The amendment would add a 21st Section to Ohio’s Bill of Rights “to preserve the freedom of Ohioans to choose their health care and health care […]
U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Right of Individuals to Challenge Federal Laws Interfering with State Sovereignty
In Bond v. United States, the Supreme Court held that private individuals – not only the states – had standing to challenge federal laws as violating state sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment. In this case, a woman had been criminally prosecuted by the federal government under a statute implementing an inernational treaty regulating chemical weapons.
U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Arizona Public Financing of Elections
In Arizona Free Enterprise Club v. Bennett, the Supreme Court of the United States continued its strong record of supporting political speech against governmental interference. The Court held Arizona’s system of using public funds to selectively fund campaigns unconstitutional.
Ohio Elections Commission: “We’re all PACs now.” 1851 Center Challenging Constitutionality of Ohio Campaign Finance Law
On June 24, the 1851 Center filed a notice of appeal in the case of Ed Corsi, a political blogger and pamphleteer who distributed materials critical of his local elected officials. After one of those same officials sought prosecution of Mr. Corsi, the Ohio Elections Commission took up the case. The OEC concluded that because […]
Gongwer: Tea Party Sues Municipal, Township Groups in Supreme Court Over Public Records
Tea Party Sues Municipal, Township Groups in Supreme Court Over Public Records Opponents of the estate tax and government spending growth said Thursday they are asking the Ohio Supreme Court to declare that two groups of township and city officials are “the functional equivalent” of public offices and should be required to abide by the […]
1851 Center Files Action to Expose Government Lobbying Records
Organizations Comprised of Local Governments Refuse to Disclose Lobbying Activity on Estate Tax and Government Spending Columbus–The 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, on behalf of Relators Dayton Tea Party and Robert Scott, yesterday filed in the Ohio Supreme Court a Public Records Complaint demanding Ohio Municipal League (OML) and Ohio Township Association (OTA) lobbying records. […]
Dayton Tea Party v. Ohio Municipal League
Exposing Government Lobbying Records On June 2, 2011, The 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, on behalf of Relators Dayton Tea Party and Robert Scott, filed a Public Records Complaint in the Ohio Supreme Court demanding Ohio Municipal League (OML) and Ohio Township Association (OTA) lobbying records. Both organizations have used public funds to lobby: Against the […]
Update: Estate Tax Repeal Signed into Law, Expires January 1, 2013
The legislature has passed a state budget that includes the repeal of Ohio’s Estate Tax. Special thanks to the team at http://www.endohioestatetax.com/ for their leadership in accomplishing a feat that no liberty group before them had accomplished: the elimination of a statewide tax. In drafting the initiative and representing the effort, the 1851 Center was […]
High Court Reviewing Smoking Ban Constitutionality
On April 6, 2011, The Supreme Court of Ohio agreed to become the first state supreme court in the nation to determine whether a statewide smoking ban violates bar owners’ property rights. The Court also agreed to review whether the Ohio Department of Health has consistently exceeded its authority in fining business owners under the ban.
Jackson v. Bartec
This case is brought on behalf of Zeno’s Victorian Village, a family-owned Columbus tavern. The Center argues the smoking ban unconstitutionally deprives business owners of fundamental property rights. It also argues that the state health officials’ methods while enforcing the ban exceed their constitutional authority and is at odds with the plain language of the ban. […]
Victory: “1851 Center Amendment” added to Senate Bill 5
Government employees would no longer have to “opt out” of making political contributions to unions, state government will no longer transfer political contributions to unions. The Ohio House of Representatives yesterday amended Senate Bill 5 to include the “1851 Center Amendment,” a provision that would prevent state and local government from facilitating transfer of political […]
Ohio Supreme Court Reviewing Whether Ohio Public Policy Favors School Choice, Prevents Cincinnati from Shutting Down Charter and Private Schools
Ohio Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Cincinnati Public Schools v. Conners on February 7, 2011. To view oral arguments, click here. In this critical matter, the 1851 Center represents Dr. Roger Conners, operator of Theodore Roosevelt Public Charter School, a charter serving over 250 underprivileged children in Cincinnati’s downtrodden Fairmount neighborhood.
Cincinnati Public Schools v. Conners
Cincinnati Public Schools has a policy of prohibiting the use of vacant public school buildings by charter schools and private schools. Historical Overview Theodore Roosevelt School, in Cincinnati, had purchased an unused school building located in the Fairmount neighborhood, where all CPS schools are in academic emergency status and 80 percent of families are minorities and live […]
New Publication on Public Employee Union Payroll Deductions for Campaign Contributions
On February 22, the 1851 Center released The Path Remains Clear for Ohio’s New Legislators to Separate Government Employment from Public Employee Union Politics, a Constitutional Viewpoint on automated payroll deductions for political contributions, a service provided to public employee union members and paid for by taxpayers. From the Overview: As the debate on the role […]
Oleksa v. Murray
In October of 2010, Mansfield-area taxpayers filed an Ohio Corrupt Activities Act complaint against Gov. Ted Strickland, Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) Executive Director Richard Murray, the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) and others. The taxpayers complained that members of the Strickland administration, organized labor, and Murray used the OSFC and school building […]
Legal Center Asks High Court to Accept Smoking Ban Challenge
1851 Center Files Jurisdictional Motion with Ohio Supreme Court COLUMBUS – The 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, a public interest law firm, yesterday asked the Ohio Supreme Court to make a final determination on the legality of Ohio’s state smoking ban, and its enforcement. The legal center argues that state health officials’ misguided enforcement of […]
Columbus Dispatch: Conservatives’ suit alleges Strickland favored unions
Contracts to build schools at heart of corruption claim Friday, October 15, 2010 02:55 AM By Darrel Rowland THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A conservative group sued Gov. Ted Strickland, his chief of staff, the Ohio School Facilities Commission and others yesterday, alleging that they engaged in a pattern of corrupt activity by favoring unions in school-construction […]
Gannett News Central Ohio:Lawsuit claims Strickland, Ohio School Facilities Commission engaged in corrupt activity
By LINDA MARTZ • CentralOhio.com • October 15, 2010 MANSFIELD — Six Richland County residents filed a lawsuit through a Columbus-based conservative group Thursday, claiming Gov. Ted Strickland and the Ohio School Facilities Commission engaged in corrupt activity by favoring unions on school construction projects. Two Richland County school districts are named as defendants. The […]
AP: Suit against Ohio governor alleges favoritism
October 15, 2010 3:35 PM ET COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – A libertarian legal center has sued Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, key aides and a labor union alleging they engaged in a pattern of corrupt activity regarding school construction contracts. The 1851 Center for Constitutional Law filed the suit on behalf of 6 residents of Richland […]
Ohio RICO Complaint Filed to Stop School Construction Corruption
1851 Center Lawsuit alleges Strickland administration and OSFC placed union financial interests and remaining in office above fiscal responsibility in building schools. COLUMBUS – Tax dollars have been wasted and continue to be at risk due to an unlawfully cozy relationship between the Strickland administration and labor unions, claim a group of Mansfield-area taxpayers. The […]
Victory: Gahanna Backs Down on High-Risk Loan Fund
October 18, 2010 – Taxpayer Victory: Gahanna Indefinitely Postpones Ill-Advised $375K High-Risk Venture Capital Loan Fund Gahanna City Council indefinitely postponed a vote authorizing a city-backed $375,000 high-risk venture capital loan fund after the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law threatened legal action against the city. Gahanna City Council had proposed an ordinance permitting the mayor […]
Merrill v. State of Ohio Department of Natural Resources
September 14, 2011 – Ohio Supreme Court Protects Property Rights The court held that the State of Ohio extends to the natural shoreline, which is “the line at which the water usually stands when free from disturbing causes.” The court reiterated its role as a protector of private property rights against state incursions and reminded […]
Federal Court Upholds Andover Township Residents’ Constitutional Rights
1851 Center Wins Injunction Against Andover Township Officials Who Blocked Constitution Day Rally (COLUMBUS) Wednesday a federal court granted the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law a temporary injunction against Andover Township in Ashtabula County. The ruling is a victory for Andover Township residents who were previously blocked by township officials from celebrating Constitutional Day (Sept. […]
Slingluff v. Andover Twp.
The First Amendment clearly protects the right to gather on the public square, speak out in support of limited constitutional government, and critique the current state of affairs. The government’s action in this case, ironically, demonstrates the need for greater public understanding of Constitutional rights. One way to do that is through commemoration of Constitution […]
Is the Individual Mandate Unprecedented?
Back in March, Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray announced that Ohio would not be joining other state lawsuits against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the federal healthcare law) because the suits did not “have any legal merit whatsoever.” He based his decision, in part, on his expansive reading of the Commerce Clause.
Where is the State of Ohio in the Fight against Obamacare?
According to a March 2010 press release issued by Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray, our state will not be joining other state lawsuits against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the official name of the federal health care law) because the suits do not have “any legal merit whatsoever.”
COUNTY ELECTIONS BOARD FILES OEC COMPLAINT AGAINST BLOGGER WHO TARGETS ‘RINOS’
Thursday, August 5, 2010 A non-profit legal advocacy firm is asking the Ohio Elections Commission to dismiss a complaint from a county elections board that contends a blogger violated campaign finance laws with postings that, among other things, target “RINOs” – Republicans in Name Only. The 1851 Center for Constitutional Law characterized a filing from […]
(WBNS 10TV) Watchdog: Red Light Camera Law ‘Fundamentally Flawed’
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 6:00 PM COLUMBUS, Ohio — Some critics on Tuesday said that the city’s controversial red light camera program is fundamentally flawed and could be challenged in court. The city said that the red light camera program is about safety, but 10 Investigates has discovered the camera system that helps spot red […]
Judge sets charter school precedent
Public districts can no longer stop competitors from moving in to old buildings BY KIMBALL PERRY • Cincinnati Enquirer • June 1, 2010 CINCINNATI — For the first time, a Hamilton County judge has allowed an exclusive exception to property deed restrictions that could help thwart attempts by public school districts to block school children […]
Court: Cincinnati Public Schools Violated State Law
Judge Rules CPS Deed Restrictions Against Charter and Private Schools Illegal Columbus – Cincinnati Public Schools’ (CPS) policy of prohibiting the sale of unused available public school buildings to charter schools and private schools violates state law, yesterday ruled Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Robert P. Ruehlman. The judge issued the ruling immediately from […]
Cincinnati Public Schools Forfeit State Construction Funding, State Legislator Says
1851 Center Sued CPS Over Handling of Charter Schools Columbus – State Representative Kris Jordan, a member of the Ohio School Facilities Commission, yesterday notified commission director Richard Murray that Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) has forfeited its statutory right to project funding because of repeated violations of state charter schools provisions.
Ohio Department of Commerce v. 770 West Broad AGA, LLC
770 West Broad AGA, a private contractor, entered into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Commerce to provide work space for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. Under the lease terms, AGA made several improvements to the property at its own expense. Upon completion, the state fined the company over $500,000, alleging prevailing […]
Maurice Thompson talks smoking bans on Detroit’s WJR-AM
With Michigan’s recently enacted smoking ban about to go into effect, Frank Beckmann of WJR-AM Detroit spoke with 1851 Center Executive Director Maurice Thompson about his successful efforts challenging Ohio’s smoking ban. Listen to the interview here: Interview Read more about the 1851 Center’s successful challenge of the Ohio smoking ban here.
Stand up to collectivist government: Maurice Thompson addresses the Columbus Tea Party
On Thursday, April 15, 1851 Center Executive Director Maurice Thompson addressed a crowd of over 3,000 activists at the Columbus Tea Party’s Tax Day Rally. He urged them to stand up to paternalistic – we know best – government. Thompson believes taxpayers should be leery of the state and federal government’s continued path toward collectivist […]
Ohio Liberty Council v. Brunner
On March 22, 2010, the Ohio Liberty Council began the process of the placing a health care freedom constitutional amendment on the November 2010 ballot. The group filed petition summary language and nearly 3,000 signatures from registered voters in 48 counties with the Ohio Attorney General, who later approved the language as truthful and accurate. The […]
Maurice Thompson w/ WTVN’s Bob Conners on health care admendment
1851 Center for Constitutional Law Executive Director Maurice Thompson and 610 WTVN’s Bob Conners discuss the Ohio Liberty Council’s effort to block new federal health care mandates through a constitutional amendment. The amendment language was drafted by the 1851 Center. Thompson and Conners believe government’s role should be limited, especially in matters of individual health […]
SpeechNow.org v. FEC
On September 1, 2009, the 1851 Center filed an amicus brief defending the First Amendment rights of SpeechNow.org in its legal battle with the Federal Elections Commission. The FEC viewed the non-profit much like a political action committee or PAC. The 1851 Center’s brief argued SpeechNow.org is not a political committee that makes contributions to […]
Health Care Freedom Amendment
Ohio’s Healthcare Freedom Amendment – Historical Overview Twenty-six state legislatures have introduced bills to propose constitutional amendments to block the individual mandates contained in the new federal regulations, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Ohio’s filing by the Ohio Liberty Council is the nation’s first citizen-initiated action. The Ohio Liberty Council is a […]
AP: ACORN gives up Ohio business license, won’t return
By JULIE CARR SMYTH (AP) Thursday, March 11, 2010 COLUMBUS, Ohio — The community organizing group ACORN has agreed to give up its Ohio business license and not return under another name, as it has in other states, under a settlement struck with a libertarian center that sued it. U.S. District Judge Herman Weber, in […]
Miller v. ACORN
In October 2008, the 1851 Center sued ACORN regarding its activities in Ohio. The action alleged ACORN engaged in a pattern of corrupt activity that amounted to organized crime due to its perpetual submission of fraudulent voter registrations in Ohio. The Center sought the dissolution of ACORN as a legal entity, the revocation of any licenses in […]
Drees Company v. Hamilton Township
Ohio Townships do not have the power to levy taxes. That’s why they call them “fees.” This case argues that “fees” on new homeowners and developers are really taxes and are unconstitutional. Timeline February 14, 2011 – 1851 Center Files Amicus Brief at Ohio Supreme Court On February 14, 2011, the 1851 Center for Constitutional […]
Protecting Health Freedom
The 1851 Center for Constitutional Law drafted petition language aimed a fighting pending national health care regulations. Read the amendment news release and watch the news conference here. Download the petition here. Visit the Ohio Liberty Council for more information on this effort here. The proposed federal health care bills are problematic from a utilitarian, […]
Moto Verde and the Village of Fairfax
In July 2009, the 1851 Center advised the Village of Fairfax, an enclave in the city of Cincinnati, that it had violated the constitutional rights of Moto Verde. Moto Verde is a motor scooter shop, but the village had classified it as an automobile dealership, refused it the right to operate, and denied it a […]
A challenge to Ohio’s Mortgage Modification Bill
In March 2009, the 1851 Center submitted written and oral testimony to the Ohio General Assembly on House Bill 3, a bill that would allow Ohio’s trial judges to rewrite the terms of mortgage contracts. The Center’s testimony made it clear that HB 3 was an unconstitutional abridgment of written contracts, and that, if passed […]
Pour House Inc., v. Ohio Department of Health
A victory came on October 19, 2009 for Ohio bars and restaurants facing fines for breaking the state smoking ban. Up to that point, enforcement methods essentially required small businesses to enforce the smoking ban for the government. The 1851 Center points out that it’s the government’s law and that the state should be required to enforce its […]
Manna Storehouse v. Ohio Department of Agriculture
On the morning of December 1, 2008, law enforcement officers forcefully entered the Stowers’ residence, without first announcing they were police or stating the purpose of the visit. With guns drawn, officers swiftly and immediately moved to the upstairs of the home, finding eight children in the middle of a home-schooling lesson. Officers then moved […]
Victory: Ohio Estate Tax Repealed
The legislature has passed a state budget that includes the repeal of Ohio’s Estate Tax. Special thanks to the team at http://www.endohioestatetax.com/ for their leadership in accomplishing a feat that no liberty group before them had accomplished: the elimination of a statewide tax. In drafting the initiative and representing the effort, the 1851 Center was simply […]
Case Suggestions
If you have a case suggestion or if you believe your constitutional rights have been violated by the government please contact mthompson@buckeyeinstitute.org.
LetOhioVote.org v. Brunner
August 3, 2009: 1851 Center Files Amicus In Supreme Court Slots Case The 1851 Center for Constitutional Law filed an amicus brief in LetOhioVote.org v. Brunner with the Ohio Supreme Court. This filing supports a public vote on video slot machines at Ohio horse race tracks. The 1851 Center filed on behalf of Ohio Citizen Action, […]
COAST v. City of Cincinnati
In May 2009, the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law filed, in Federal Court, a motion to restrain the City of Cincinnati and its agents from harassing citizens who are demanding that the City put its $200 million trolley project to a vote. The Motion argues the City consistently threatens petitioners who gather signatures for causes […]
Ohio Grocer’s Association v. Wilkins
In May 2009, the 1851 Center filed an amicus brief in Ohio Grocers Association v. Wilkins. The brief argues that Ohio’s Commercial Activities Tax is an unconstitutional excise tax on food. It is levied on Ohio grocers based on the amount of food they sell and grocers then pass the cost of the tax on […]
Toledo Planning Commission and Private Schools
In December 2008, the 1851 Center issued a legal notice to the Toledo City Council and the Toledo Planning Commission advising that, if the City passed an ordinance applying “Minimum School Facilities Requirements” to private schools, the 1851 Center would pursue litigation. The requirements would have unconstitutionally restricted the growth, facilities, and curricula of existing […]