Capital Gains? They add up in Columbus David W. Jones Lake County News Herald June 22, 2003 Many state legislators this year like certain Columbus restaurants and party places for raising campaign money in a town appropriately known as Ohio's capital city. For example, state Rep. Jamie Callender, R-Willowick, chose the Ringside Café on March 12. For state Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township, it was the Taverna Opa on Feb. 25. State Rep. Ed Jerse, D-Euclid, opted for Plank's Biergarten May 6. State Rep. George Distel, D-Conneaut, liked Club 185 last March 25. Like Callender, state Sen. Eric Fingerhut, D-Cleveland, chose a Ringside seat March 18. New state Sen. Marc Dann, D-Liberty Township, chose the Plaza Lounge at the Hyatt on Capital Square on Feb 25 very soon after he got appointed to the seat. According to the watchdog Ohio Citizen Action, those are among top places for legislators to have fund-raisers with the special interest promoter, the lobbyist and political action committee (PAC) man. The Lawmakers so far have gathered in at least 104 such fundies this year while the Ohio General Assembly was in session in Columbus, the watchdog reported. It said only one fundie was on a non-workday. In a news release and in telephone conversations, Catherine Turcer, Ohio Citizen Action's legislative director, talked about special interests wining and dining the legislators. Herself a registered lobbyist, she correctly acknowledges that most lobbyists and PAC makers are perfectly honest folk never charged, busted or convicted of even a tort. Many try to help schools stay financed. Many attempt to help small businesses, elderly patients or poverty-stricken legal clients. Still, 27 other states do forbid legislators to raise campaign money the same days they're making laws. Still, many Ohioans do remember names and cases of state legislators who left office after the pay-to-play scandal of perks, pork, patriotism and power plays a decade ago. And Turcer wrote: "Session days should be devoted to thoughtful law-making rather than parties. Fundraisers can provide more than a distraction from work; they can also influence the legislative process. These events give access to those with a pocketbook." Turcer acknowledges that "many of the fund-raisers were publicly announced." But she nailed it right when she said lobbyists and/or special interests in Columbus give far more greenbacks than almost any fundie give back home in their district. The funds raised this year won't be known until Jan. 30 next year, the first deadline for reporting war chests for any election campaigns in 2004. Voters, however, can use earlier campaign finance reports to get an idea of Columbus-raised stash: State Rep. Callender is termed out and cannot seek re-election to a two-year term serving western Lake County and Concord Township in the Ohio House in Columbus. So Callender is seeking election next year to a four-year term in the Ohio Senate. The Senate district is all Geauga and Lake counties, plus Gates Mills, Highland Heights and Mayfield Village, plus part of Mayfield Heights all in eastern Cuyahoga County. Callender was at the Ringside Café fundie March 12 this year. He can't report what he got until January. But hints can be given by reviewing a Callender Ringside fundie April 30 last year, when he got $500 from the Ohio Medical PAC. He got $200 from investment lobbyist Robert T. Lambert. He also got $200 each from such as Police and Fire Retirees, Ohio Contractors, Ohio Psychiatrists, Boat Ohio, Ohio Home Builders Association and KIDS PAC's. State Rep. Young also is termed out and can't seek re-election to another two-year term serving Mentor and eastern Lake County. Young says he will run next year for a four-year term vs. Lake County Treasurer John Crocker, a Democrat. In Columbus on June 19 last year, Young held a fundie at Taverna Opa. He got $2,500 from Wholesale Beer & Wine. (Hmm. On July 19 this year Young will start his annual fund-raising tour at Chalet Debonne in Madison Township, then do Ferrante Ristorante and Winery, Harpersfield Vineyards, Laurello Vineyards and South River Vineyards. See him or Kathy Young.) Young got $1,000 from the Ohio State Bar Association last year at Taverna Opa. Young got $500 each from the RJR and Ohio Contractors PAC, then $200 from ubiquitous lobbyist Lambert. Young also got $200 each from such as Ohio Grocers Association, Ohio Home Builders, Ohio Aggregates and Ohio Contractors and Friends of Ohio Hospitals PACs. Termed-out Democratic Rep. Jerse (Plank's Biergarten) might run this year for Euclid mayor or next year for Cuyahoga judge or for the seat of U.S. Rep Steve La Tourette, R-Madison Village. In Columbus last year, Democrat Jerse got $1,200 from the Ohio State Bar PAC and $200 each from such as Prosecuting Attorneys, Ohio Physical Therapy PAC, Ohio Homebuilders and friends of Ohio Hosptials PAC. Fingerhut has filed to run next year for the seat of U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio. In Columbus last year, Fingerhut got $1,00 from superlobbyist Paul Tipps, $250 from lobbyist Richard Weiland and $200 to $400 from most of the same PACs and fellow Democrat Jerse. q Rep. Distel (Club 185) is up for re-election next year. Dann, appointed state senator seeking election next year in Ashtabula and Trumbull counties, was just barely appointed before he fundled at the Plaza Lounge Feb. 5 this year. Hmm. Can Fingerhut, Jerse and Young this year get as much money in Columbus if they are not going to be there again?