Page Title

Clinical Programs: Legislation Clinic

Legislation Clinic Conference: The Functioning of Separation of Powers in State Government

March 13, 2008
Vern Riffe Center
31st Floor Executive Conference Center
77 South High Street
Columbus, Ohio

Conference Overview

This one-day conference in Ohio's state capital will consider the roles of the separate branches of state government and the relationships between them, topics not only of crucial importance generally but also ones of extra significance in a time of divided government.

Separation of powers is a fundamental principle of American democracy. But what exactly does it mean? How are its meanings different at the state level than at the federal level? And what is the relationship between the values promoted by the separation of powers and the factual matter of whether the branches of government are controlled by the same or different political parties?

Particularly in light of Ohio's recent return to an era of divided government, this conference promises to be an especially timely discussion of the ways in which the three branches of state government relate to each other, and of the nature of the checks and balances that they can provide in the service of their citizens.

A series of three panels will probe such issues as:

• How should Ohio's five independently elected statewide officers interact, both with each other and with other branches and departments of state government?
• What are these elected officials' respective roles in setting and implementing state policy?
• What is the governor's role in the legislative process? What impact has the litigation over Governor Strickland's "first day veto" had on this process?
• How do agencies fit within the larger structure of state government?
• When are state agencies, rather than courts, best suited to adjudicate disputes?

CLE Credit: This conference has been approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education for 4.5 total CLE hours, with 0 hours of ethics, 0 hours of professionalism, and 0 hours of substance abuse instruction.

This conference is co-sponsored by:

• The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
• The Legislation Clinic at the Moritz College of Law
• The Center for Interdisciplinary Law and Policy Studies at the Moritz College of Law