Ohio’s contribution limits should be tightened. State law should be amended to impose lower limits on contributions from individual donors to candidates, from candidates to other candidates, and between candidates and party committees. There should be a ban on corporate contributions to candidates and parties, as there is in most other states.
In order to increase transparency, the state should create a centralized database of campaign contributions, registered lobbyists, ethics/financial disclosure statements of public officials, and bid/no-bid contractors. It should also create a General Accountability Office to review bid/no-bid contract selection and create a centralized database of the principles of entities with contracts with the state to address the gaps in the enforcement of campaign finance laws.
Major donors and registered lobbyists should be prohibited from serving on state boards or commissions.
Regulations defining appropriate campaign fund expenditures should be clear, limited to campaign-related expenses, and be backed by sufficient enforcement measures.
Ohio’s contribution limits should be tightened. State law should be amended to impose lower limits on contributions from individual donors to candidates, from candidates to other candidates, and between candidates and party committees. There should be a ban on corporate contributions to candidates and parties, as there is in most other states.