By Journalist Olivia Kopang (OSU)
Rep. Walker (SE) discussing the ORU-504 with a fellow representative
Many representatives had varying opinions on a bill presented in the House Thursday afternoon. After hours of hearing other representatives’ bills and listening to vigorous debate, the body was already hungry for more. Rep. Burris (ORU), introduced a bill titled “Edifying God’s Children ”, an act relating to implementing the principles of the Ten Commandments and the requirements for etiquette, and moral classes.
After the author was finished presenting this bill, representatives were eager to voice their concern and praise. One of these eager representatives was Rep. Dimova (ORU). She understood the well intentioned mission backing the bill, however the execution behind it, she believed, was poor. “It mentioned the word “religion” and or “God” too much. Especially since the goal of the bill was to require moral and ethical classes for public schools.” Dimova stood firm on her belief that the debate morphed into a constitutional vs. unconstitutional dispute, defeating the entire purpose of the bill’s intent.
While some representatives believed in the outright amplification of affirming or negating this bill, others watched the body voice their opinions before coming to a decision. Rep. Boffman (SE), who was also the committee chair for this piece of legislation, spoke about his viewpoints. He acknowledged that since he was the committee chair he “would really like to see it succeed, however, there were certain shortcomings within the clauses that the body could not quite overcome.” Although he argued in favor of the bill, he thought that “at the end of the day the body made the correct choice.”
By the time the closing remarks were made and voting came to an end, there was a solidified knowingness among representatives that the right choice was made. This bill created not just contention but an interesting look into the blurred line of public schools providing moral instruction without overstepping the mark.