Gardner opposes drilling on public lands

SANDUSKY — State Sen. Randy Gardner plans to vote against a veto override that could possibly open state parks to oil and gas drilling.Gardner, R-Bowling Green, considered one of the top environmentalists in the Ohio General Assembly, on Wednesday released the text of a letter he's been sending to constituents who have written to him about the issue.A constituent from Marblehead wrote to Gardner recently, writing, "I love my state parks and state public lands and I want oil and gas operations to stay out of them. I support the Governor's actions to protect public lands and hope you will, too."In response, Gardner wrote, "Please know I agree with you and have already informed state leaders of my intention to vote 'No' on this override attempt. As you may know I have been a strong advocate of protecting our state and local parks and natural areas during my time in both the Ohio House and Senate."On July 6, the House voted to override 11 of Gov. John Kasich's 47 vetoes of items in the state budget bill.One veto override concerned that Ohio and Gas Leasing Commission.Kasich has not appointed any members to the commission, effectively preventing the body from considering oil and gas leases at state parks and other state lands.Lawmakers put a provision in the state budget bill, which took effect July 1, allowing leaders of the Ohio General Assembly to name members of the commission. Kasich vetoed the provision.But the House voted 68-29 to override the veto. Local lawmakers Rep. Steve Arndt, R-Port Clinton; Rep. Dick Stein, R-Norwalk, and Rep. Bill Reineke, R-Tiffin, all voted for the veto override.The veto overrides won't take effect unless the Senate goes along. The Senate hasn't announced yet when it will take them up or whether it will consider all 11, but senators have scheduled an Aug. 23 meeting in Columbus.Arndt said after his vote he doesn't necessarily favor drilling for oil and gas in state parks but believes the process under the law for making such decisions ought to be followed.He said an earlier session of the Ohio General Assembly gave Kasich the power to make appointments to the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission."He never appointed anybody," Arndt said. "The commission has never been able to act or even convene."Gardner said that while he doesn't favor moving appointment authority to the Ohio General Assembly, and opposes oil and gas drilling in state parks, he agrees the governor ought to appoint members to the commission.Reach reporter Tom Jackson at jackson@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @jacksontom.Clouds move over Middle Harbor at East Harbor State Park in Marblehead.Sen. Randy Gardner