Testimony Ordinance addressing campaign finance requirements Section 2321.53 City of Columbus Thursday, October 28, 2004 Catherine Turcer, Legislative Director Ohio Citizen Action My name is Catherine Turcer and I am the legislative director for Ohio Citizen Action. Ohio Citizen Action is the state’s largest environmental organization, with 100,000 dues-paying members. Non-profit and non-partisan, Ohio Citizen Action was founded in 1975. The Ohio Citizen Action Education Fund has been producing money and politics studies since 1994. I am the author of a number of money and politics studies, including The Run for the Money Election 2000, The Enron Hot Potato and most recently Justice at Stake: Campaign Contributions to Candidates for Chief Justice and Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court November 2, 2003- October 13, 2004. I am here today to discuss the proposed campaign finance reform ordinance. Ohio Citizen Action has long been a supporter of open government, open records and strong campaign finance disclosure. I strongly support the electronic filing of campaign contributions. If information is not filed electronically, it is difficult to analyze or make meaningful before an election. Just imagine hundreds of pieces of paper will now be one complete searchable record so that the press and voters can look at contributors before the election. I strongly support employer identification of contributors over $100. Without this information, it is difficult to track the economic and policy interests behind the dollars. As we consider the economic and policy interests behind the dollars, we should consider city contractors. Candidates should also be required to identify those contributions they receive from employees, or Political Action Committees, of organizations that receive city contracts. Obviously, a program of electronic filing only works if there are the resources to collect this information and put it on the Internet. I would be interested in being appointed to the working group to explore the best ways to facilitate and fund electronic filing. Today is Beggar’s Night on the Thursday before a major presidential election. This might not be the best time for public comments. I urge you to consider additional hearings and expert testimony. Thank you for your time. If you have any questions please call me at 614-263-4111.