Money & Politics News Jan - Jun, 2002
	Jun 30: Court has wisely removed gags from judicial candidates COLUMBUS -- "What's worse is that states such as Ohio require judicial candidates to be empty-headed. They are asked to conceal from us all of their philosophies and prejudices and preconceptions that, by dint of human nature, could seep into legal rulings affecting our lives. By not telling us how they view the world, judges can say their impartiality is not clouded by their views. How would we know? U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia exposed this ruse on Thursday. He wrote: 'Even if it were possible to select judges who did not have preconceived views on legal issues, it would hardly be desirable to do so. Proof that a justice's mind at the time he joined the court was a complete (blank slate) in the area of constitutional adjudication would be evidence of lack of qualification, not bias . . .'" Joe Hallett, Columbus Dispatch.
	Jun 28: Decision lifts gag in judicial elections WASHINGTON, DC -- "Ruling 5-4 in a Minnesota case, the [U.S. Supreme] court struck down limits on what judicial candidates can tell voters, a decision that will profoundly change the way Ohio candidates for judge conduct their campaigns," Joe Hallett, Jonathan Riskind, Columbus Dispatch.
	Jun 25: Pro-business campaign decides to disclose all donors, amounts COLUMBUS -- "Under increasing pressure to reform negative campaigns, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce announced in a letter to business leaders yesterday that its nonprofit creation, Citizens for a Strong Ohio, will publicly disclose donors and amounts of contributions. The campaign, directed at two seats on the Ohio Supreme Court, will be 'positive and informative' but will avoid the 'errors' of two years ago, the letter said," T.C. Brown, Cleveland Plain Dealer. COLUMBUS -- "Chamber promises positive campaign," Joe Hallett, Columbus Dispatch.
	Jun 24: Do it now Campaign-finance reform plan is needed If the Republican Party really wants to drain the scandal of power, it must do more than talk about reform COLUMBUS -- "If Republican leaders think that merely talking about such reform now is sufficient to get them through Nov. 5 unscathed and that afterward they safely can ignore the issue again, they will be playing into the hands of Democrats. With the problems involving Deters, the recent court decision undercutting the legitimacy of the state's $2-million-a-day school- building program, and the recurring problem of balancing the state budget, the Democrats' assertion that one-party rule is bad for Ohio is gaining credence. Delaying campaign-finance reform a moment longer will bolster this argument," editorial, Columbus Dispatch. COLUMBUS -- "Taft-Blackwell timing suspicious on campaign-reform move," Lee Leonard, Columbus Dispatch.
	Jun 20: Yes, governor: now CLEVELAND -- "Taft and legislative leaders appear interested mostly in paying lip service to election reform. Taft once pledged decisive steps to open up Ohio's political process and to remove the veil of anonymity that facilitates the flow of untraceable special-interest money. Then, for two long years, nothing happened. . . . Taft could dispel our cynicism by demanding that the legislature enact the reforms prior to the November election. If the legislature does not comply before it adjourns this week or next, he could call the legislature into special session. . . Such a measure would represent remarkable progress toward open government. So do something about it, governor. Demand that the legislature act now -- not after Nov. 5," editorial, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
	Jun 19: 2002 Free Air Time Campaign begins in Ohio COLUMBUS -- "Ohio Citizen Action conducted a sample of seven news programs for each Columbus television station during the days leading up to the May 7 primary election. 'We found that local television news was airing stories about politics without actually talking about politics,' said Brandi Whetstone, campaign reform organizer for Ohio Citizen Action. 'There were more stories about candidates who were not going to be on the ballot than stories about actual candidates,'" Brandi Whetstone, Ohio Citizen Action. "A sample of Columbus TV news programs in the days leading up to the primary election," memo, Brandi Whetstone, Ohio Citizen Action, June 19, 2002 (.doc).
	Jun 19: Taft wants to tighten campaign-finance law COLUMBUS -- "Ohio Senate President Richard H. Finan said he's in no hurry to adopt the plan, which would require full disclosure of contributions and expenditures involving operating funds and independent committees that indirectly try to influence elections without supporting or opposing a candidate. The Cincinnati Republican said the legislature plans to go on summer vacation this week. Other sources said nothing will happen to the bill until after the November election, if then," Lee Leonard, Columbus Dispatch. COLUMBUS -- "Taft, Blackwell offer campaign finance reform proposal," Nate Ellis, Columbus Reporter. COLUMBUS -- "Taft unveils election-reform plan," "Campaign finance law changes," Sandy Theis, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
	Jun 18: Reps better on disclosure, group says But some remain vague on sources COLUMBUS -- ". . . more than a third of the candidates used vague descriptions, such as consultant, CEO or business owner, which makes it difficult for voters to follow the money, said Catherine Turcer, campaign reform director for Ohio Citizen Action. Some candidates failed to identify the employer of well-known, wealthy contributors such as Leslie Wexner, the Limited Inc. chairman and chief executive, or Tamala Longaberger of the Longaberger Co. State Rep. Kevin DeWine, R-Fairborn, and Sen. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, received 'D' grades," Laura A. Bischoff, Dayton Daily News. COLUMBUS -- "Political-watchdog group calls for more financial disclosure," Nate Ellis, Columbus Reporter. COLUMBUS -- "Watchdog applauds officials’ disclosure; But some progress needed, group says," Jim Provance, Toledo Blade. COLUMBUS -- "Gov. Taft to unveil campaign reforms," Julie Carr Smyth, Cleveland Plain Dealer. COLUMBUS -- "Officials to unveil proposal for campaign-finance reform," Alan Johnson, Columbus Dispatch. COLUMBUS -- "Taft, Blackwell push campaign donation disclosure," "Quick action not expected on campaign finance changes," John McCarthy, Associated Press.
	Jun 17: Disclosure advances Citizen Action charts next steps COLUMBUS -- "'Ohio candidates have made advancements in disclosure of contributions over $100 in the past four years, from 92% in 1997 to 97% in 2001,' according to Ohio Citizen Action’s Catherine Turcer. 'Candidates have become more proficient with basic disclosure. However, over one-third of the candidates used vague descriptions, like 'consultant' and 'CEO.' It is time to raise the bar and ask for more specific employer information.' Today, Ohio Citizen Action released an analysis of campaign finance disclosure by Ohio statewide and legislative candidates in 2001. . . 'We are very pleased to see both political parties are talking about being as open about disclosure as candidates are. This must, however, go beyond positioning or symbolic bill introduction. Full party disclosure should be law within the next month,'" Catherine Turcer, Ohio Citizen Action. Findings, charts, recommendations, methodology (.doc) Candidate grade spreadsheet, 2001 (.xls) COLUMBUS -- "Citizen Action report on candidate disclosures," Jo Ingles, Ohio Public Radio.
	Jun 15: Hagan falls behind Taft in quest for campaign cash COLUMBUS -- "'People don’t give money to people unless they believe they are a winner,' said Catherine Turcer, campaign reform director of Ohio Citizen Action, a statewide consumer and environmental group. 'Tim Hagan is such an underdog -- $7.7 million is going to roll right over him. And when there isn’t a true race, everybody loses because we need a debate over the condition of this state,'" James Drew, Toledo Blade. COLUMBUS -- "Taft cash advantage is huge; GOP candidates are ahead in every statewide campaign," Joe Hallett, Darrel Rowland, Columbus Dispatch. COLUMBUS -- "Taft camp ahead of Hagan by millions; Campaign finances reports show big gaps in some races," William Hershey, Kristy Eckert, Jim Bebbington, Dayton Daily News. COLUMBUS -- "Campaigners' HQs show who has money," Sandy Theis, Mark Naymik, Cleveland Plain Dealer. Sidebar: "Money flows into statewide campaigns."
	Jun 14: Company accused of giving illegal gifts CLEVELAND -- "A federal grand jury indicted a major area construction company yesterday for allegedly giving $54,000 in illegal campaign contributions to politicians and lying about a $1.4 million government contract. Federal prosecutors said the politicians had no idea of the scheme, and did nothing wrong," John Caniglia, Plain Dealer.
	Jun 9: A washing day in court for campaign money? COLUMBUS -- "In the midst of all the finger-pointing, both sides have clamored for new, meaningful campaign finance reform. Most agree on the need for added disclosure, and several have called for Ohio to close the loophole that allows for the movement of large amounts of money through state and local political parties. Sen. Dan Brady, a Cleveland Democrat, has introduced a bill that addresses one problem. It would force political parties to open their now-secret operating accounts. The bill has received no hearing. None is expected. And - at least so far - no comprehensive reform measures have been introduced," Sandy Theis, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
	Jun 5: Campaign finance reform possible COLUMBUS -- Reform options are discussed by State Treasurer Joe Deters, Ohio Republican Chair Bob Bennett, Peg Rosenfield of the League of Women Voters, and State Senator Leigh Herington. Reported by Jo Ingles, Ohio Public Radio.
	Jun 4: Ohio official moves to silence fund-raising critics COLUMBUS -- "Ohio Treasurer Joe Deters said yesterday he sees nothing wrong in encouraging political backers to donate to the Hamilton County Republican Party in hopes the money would benefit his campaign. . .Mr. Deters insists there was no agreement with county Chairman Mike Barrett that the contributions would be earmarked for his campaign. 'The Hamilton County chairman is one of my closest political allies,' said Mr. Deters. 'We don’t have any deals, so to speak.' 'All this wink-wink, nudge-nudge worries me,' said Catherine Turcer of the Ohio Citizen Action watchdog group. 'It may not be illegal, but it seems to me that if you encourage contributions to a party knowing the policy of that county party is to give the money back to you, what difference does it make whether you earmark it or not?'" Jim Provance, Toledo Blade. COLUMBUS -- "State Treasurer says no 'pay-to-play' here," Jo Ingles, Ohio Public Radio. COLUMBUS -- "Deters admits donation flow-through," Laura A. Bischoff, Dayton Daily News.
	Jun 2: Deters on the hot seat CLEVELAND -- "Indeed, if you follow the money trail, the political slight of hand closely resembles the type of sucker shell games sometimes found on New York City street corners or in state capitol buildings. It's a three-step process: A public contract is awarded. The winning contractor begins writing checks to state and local parties. State and local parties redistribute the largess. That alone, though distasteful, would be legal. But in this case, laws may have been broken. . . . Good public servants ground their political reputations in integrity and honesty. Deters has been too willing to gamble with his once-sterling name, and for that, he may have to pay a price," editorial, Cleveland Plain Dealer. COLUMBUS -- "Deters says he directed contributors to give to Hamilton County GOP," Julie Carr Smyth, Sandy Theis, Dave Davis, Cleveland Plain Dealer. COLUMBUS -- "Contributors' ties required scrutiny," Dave Davis, Cleveland Plain Dealer. COLUMBUS -- "Removing campaign-contribution limits will remove secrecy," Joe Hallett, Columbus Dispatch.
	Jun 1: Brokers' donations were steered, Deters says COLUMBUS -- "Although spokesmen for Deters continually had denied that his campaign directed brokers to give money to the Hamilton County GOP, Deters said he learned otherwise from Eric Sagun, a fund-raiser for both Deters' campaign and the Hamilton County party. Five Columbus brokers whose companies do millions of dollars worth of business with Deters' office likely were told by Sagun that they could help re-elect Deters by donating to the Hamilton County GOP, he said. Three of the brokers gave at least $25,000 to the Cincinnati-based party; two gave at least $12,500. 'I am certain that Eric would have directed them to do that as an option for them to help me,' Deters said," Joe Hallett, Columbus Dispatch. COLUMBUS -- "Treasurer candidates favor election reform," Sandy Theis, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
	May 31: Democrats call for investigation, legislation on Treasurer campaign CLEVELAND -- "State Sen. Leigh Harrington, a Ravenna Democrat, sent a letter to Attorney General Betty Montgomery requesting an investigation of the 'mpropriety of this situation.' Democratic state Sen. Eric Fingerhut said Friday that he will meet with [Treasurer candidate Mary] Boyle to draft legislation to create a greater separation between the political and professional obligations of the treasurers office. 'There's obviously an awful lot of 'pay-to-play' in the system,' Fingerhut said. 'We ought to be able to build in more safeguards,'" Associated Press.
	May 25: Homes helped Petro Democrat demands return of funds, GOP sees no problem DAYTON -- "Most of the operators are prohibited from giving directly to Petro because state law bans groups that receive Medicaid payments from donating to campaigns for attorney general or county prosecutor. The law, in effect since 1978, was enacted when the Ohio attorney general was given jurisdiction to investigate Medicaid fraud, which it usually does in concert with county prosecutors. . . .Very little, if any, of the $25,000 came from local contributors, and campaign finance reports indicate the county party used the money to cover a $22,000 check to Petro's candidacy. The party sent the $22,000 on Jan. 31, the day before the nursing home and other donations were recorded. The party's state candidate fund had a balance of $5,128 before the donations came in," Jim Bebbington, Dayton Daily News.
	May 25: Moyer pushes judicial reform to prevent '00 election replay YOUNGSTOWN -- "In a speech last week to the Ohio State Bar Association, the chief justice said, 'There is compelling public interest in narrowly tailored disclosure to assure that when major campaign efforts are mounted with large sums of money, the public is informed regarding the identity of contributors.' We suspect that the Republican leadership in the General Assembly will push through the legislation — if only to ensure that the GOP candidates for the two Supreme Court seats up for election this year don't become targets of the kind of anonymous, dirty campaign that was waged against Resnick," editorial, Youngstown Vindicator.
	May 23: Moyer plan would curb money’s role DAYTON -- "The Moyer plan makes good sense in all its aspects. The plan's adoption would strengthen the state's judiciary and public confidence in its integrity. It deserves vigorous support by Ohio's political leadership and practicing lawyers," editorial, Dayton Daily News.
	May 19: Lawmakers say, 'Me first' despite state budget crisis Both parties take advantage of campaign tax credit COLUMBUS -- "For $2.3 million, the state could send 700 children to all-day kindergarten, or put 4,200 high school students in advanced-placement courses, or provide 7.6 million meals at food banks. That money instead found its way into the campaign coffers of Statehouse politicians, some of whom beseeched Ohioans to send their would-be tax dollars to them rather than the state treasury. At a time when legislators are scrambling for every last dollar to mend a budget shortfall that could reach $2 billion, House Speaker Larry Householder and other lawmakers are using a little-known state income-tax credit enacted seven years ago to bolster their fund raising. 'Contributing has never been easier,' Householder wrote to prospective donors this year. 'You can either choose to give to my campaign OR give that money to the state of Ohio in the form of additional taxes. I hope you feel that you pay too much in state taxes already and you will send the $100 or $50 to my campaign instead,'" Darrel Rowland, Joe Hallett, Columbus Dispatch.
	May 17: Supreme Court chief calls for reform in judicial campaigns COLUMBUS -- "Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer yesterday called for public financing of Ohio Supreme Court campaigns and full disclosure of contributors. . . . In letters to Gov. Bob Taft and legislative leaders, Moyer renewed his call for a broad-based, bipartisan commission to review the process of selecting Supreme Court justices and other appellate-court judges and to examine the qualifications for judicial office," Jon Craig, Columbus Dispatch. COLUMBUS -- "Moyer wants 'issue' gifts reported," Associated Press. Press release, full text of speech.
	May 13: Various entities call for reform in Supreme Court judicial selection COLUMBUS -- "According to Catherine Turcer, campaign reform director for Ohio Citizen Action, these contributors often have significant interests in how individual justices view specific cases and issues, and she said she worries that connections to various groups could damage the Supreme Court's legitimacy for being an independent administrator of justice. 'Giving campaign contributions to judges is like giving money to the referee in the middle of the game,' said Turcer," Nate Ellis, Columbus Daily Reporter.
	May 11: Bush promotes tougher welfare Greater work requirements sought by President during stops in Ohio COLUMBUS -- "Catherine Turcer, campaign reform director of Ohio Citizen Action, said she's traveled around the state recently and seen a lot of blank expressions when asking people who's the Democrat running for governor. 'Unless you live in Cuyahoga County, people don't know who Tim Hagan is. He's the masked man,' Ms. Turcer said," James Drew, Toledo Blade.
	May 9: Taft draws on GOP loyalists to recruit donors COLUMBUS -- "Citizen Action's Catherine Turcer questioned the need for such a big fund-raiser when Taft's cash advantage is nearly 42-1. She also wondered where the donors' money would go if he still has a big lead in October. An Ohio Poll conducted among registered voters from April 4-20 found that Taft led Hagan 60 percent to 31 percent, about the same margin a November Ohio Poll found. 'At what point does this become complete and total overkill?' Turcer said. 'What he may well choose to do is to give the money to the Republican Party or other candidates. What's going to happen to this money?'" John McCarthy, Associated Press. Photo: Ohio Governor Bob Taft. COLUMBUS -- "Donors to Republican candidates, parties," table from Ohio Citizen Action, Associated Press, May 10.
	May 5: Follow the pone Ohio Citizen Action knows where candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court are getting their corn pone COLUMBUS -- "The citizen watchdogs released a report of top contributors to the four candidates based on campaign finance reports filed recently. Incumbent Republican Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton got much of her $255,000 from the Hamilton County Republican Judicial Campaign and contributors from Procter and Gamble and insurance and financial companies. . . " T.C. Brown, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
	May 2: Contributors reveal court candidates' views COLUMBUS -- "'Mark Twain had it right in The Tragedy of Puddin’ Head Wilson: 'You tell me where a man gets his corn pone and I will tell you what his opinions is,'' said Catherine Turcer, campaign reform director for Ohio Citizen Action. 'The judicial canons may limit what judicial candidates can say but contributors with a vested interest in policy-making figure out who to support.'," Catherine Turcer, release, report, Ohio Citizen Action. WASHINGTON, DC -- "Lobbyists' spending hard to determine, study says," Jonathan Riskind, Columbus Dispatch.
	Apr 15: Following the money trail in politics no straight shot Campaign reform opens new doors to shut off public view COLUMBUS -- "It's hard to believe people who say they're for disclosure and then don't actively work for it," said Catherine Turcer, campaign reform director for Ohio Citizen Action. 'It's time for them not to just talk. It's time for them to act.' . . . .The day lawmakers passed the 1995 campaign finance reform bill, Democratic state senators had boxes of detergent sitting on their desks. It was their way of saying loopholes in the law would allow county political parties to launder money. The law puts limits on how much political action committees and individuals can give in a year. But it allows county political parties to accept anonymous, unlimited donations to their operating funds, and to make unlimited cash gifts to the state party and to legislative campaign funds. County parties can also give $540,500 to statewide candidates, $108,000 to state senate candidates, and $53,500 to house candidates each year," Laura A. Bischoff, Dayton Daily News.
	Apr 15: Bosses, workers say giving voluntary campaign funds Despite no bids for reelection in 2001, Franklin County officeholders raked in the money COLUMBUS -- "Catherine Turcer, campaign reform director for Ohio Citizen Action, said she's intrigued that county employees, particularly in the auditor and recorder's offices, gave in off-election years. 'You hear about a culture of giving and giving till it hurts. Usually you are talking about charity, you're not talking about your boss,' Turcer said," Jim Woods, Columbus Dispatch.
	Apr 9: Democratic candidate urges a plug of loopholes COLUMBUS -- "[Democratic secretary of state candidate Bryan] Flannery said it appears Republicans are moving sums among county, state and federal accounts and back to candidates - and "absolutely circumventing" the intent of the campaign finance law. As parties move money around, exactly where it comes from is obscured, he said. Of particular concern is the role of the private operating accounts, which are supposed to be used only for day-to-day expenses and party building. But a local or state party can also legally transfer operating money to the national party, which in turn can give money to state parties. A series of large donations flowed to statewide candidates from county parties shortly after a deal was cut to avert a Republican primary contest in the attorney general's race between Deters and Auditor Jim Petro," Julie Carr Smyth, Cleveland Plain Dealer. COLUMBUS -- "Dems want contribution accounting; Want to know more about county, state party money," Laura Bischoff, Dayton Daily News. COLUMBUS -- "Campaign finance reform," Jo Ingles, Ohio Public Radio.
	Apr 8: Democrats pin hopes on fanning the flames of Deters' trouble COLUMBUS -- "Like Boy Scouts trying to start a fire by directing the sun's rays through a magnifying glass onto wood shavings, Ohio Democrats are trying to turn a campaign fund- raising misadventure involving state Treasurer Joseph T. Deters into a conflagration that will engulf the entire Republican ticket this fall. Or at least the top of it. . . . The Democrats' hope is late and it is thin. Republicans have well-funded, experienced campaigners as their state officeholders, although some will say they've not had a good test yet. The Democratic campaign machine is running on about one cylinder," Lee Leonard, column, Columbus Dispatch.
	Apr 6: State rules on spending struck down Campaign law bars speech, court says NEW ORLEANS -- "Opponents of McCain-Feingold said the 5th Circuit's opinion reinforces the bright-line distinction between 'express advocacy' and more general political speech that was laid down in Buckley. 'It's one more case in a long line of cases that suggest the government can't regulate this kind of speech at all, and McCain-Feingold tries to ban it by certain groups,' said Jan Baran, a Washington lawyer who represented the Chamber and is assisting Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in his lawsuit challenging McCain-Feingold," Charles Lane, Washington Post.
	Apr 3: State ethics panel to investigate Deters' fund-raising system COLUMBUS -- "[Merom Brachman, chairman of the ethics panel] said fund-raising practices do not fall directly within the commission's jurisdiction. 'But we have a practice over many years of reviewing our responsibility as to the ethics law's application in particular situations,' he said. The chairman said it could take two months to conduct the research and decide whether any action is warranted," Lee Leonard, Columbus Dispatch.
	Mar 31: Give judicial hopefuls their say CLEVELAND -- "In Minnesota, as in Ohio and most other states, judicial fiat prohibits candidates for judgeships from taking public positions on issues likely to arise in court. That leaves them free to discuss their name, bar ranking and number of years in what kind of law practice. This bar to actually sizing up members of the bar who would sit on the bench supposedly protects the integrity of the judiciary. In oral arguments last week, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor debunked that notion. Incumbent judges are free to make known their views on any number of controversial issues in official opinions supporting their rulings, she noted. Gagging challengers on the same subjects is 'kind of an odd system, designed to -- what? -- maintain incumbent judges?'" editorial, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
	Mar 29: Bush fills five posts, bypassing Senate confirmations CRAWFORD, TX -- "President Bush bypassed Senate confirmation procedures Friday and filled five government positions, putting the Republican National Committee's top lawyer on the Federal Election Commission. The other appointments were to the Transportation and Education departments and to an international commission," CNN.
	Mar 27: High court hears case on judicial candidates' speech WASHINGTON, DC -- "Catherine Turcer, campaign reform director for Citizen Action, a Cleveland public-interest group, said the court should lift some of the speech restrictions and permit candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court, Ohio Court of Appeals and Common Pleas courts to make broad statements about issues. 'Now, it is too limited for voters to make adequate decisions,' she said," Tom Diemer, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
	Mar 22: Money talks, and so forth CLEVELAND -- "Chatter is sympathetic towards the moneybags who were looted by Frank '300 mil' Gruttadauria and his apparent charms, but that’s not what keeps us awake at night. Chatter cares about the donations. We know that on Sept. 12, Gruttadauria was already planning his escape. That’s when he got his fake driver’s license. Then he borrowed $800,000 from National City Bank. Then he gifted the Hamilton County GOP secret operating fund $50,000. And within mere weeks, he was off on his cross-country tour. The questions are these: What kind of soon-to-be fugitive donates to political causes just before hitting the road? What’s the motivation? Is it a last chance to participate in the political process before losing the right to vote? Or is it the belief that with the right palms greased, prosecution might be light?," City Chatter column, Cleveland Free Press
	Mar 21: Deters' fund-raising prompts GOP call for reforms COLUMBUS -- "In separate letters dated Tuesday, Secretary of State Ken Blackwell and Attorney General Betty Montgomery said Ohio should close a loophole that allows political party operating accounts to accept unlimited donations and conceal donors' names. 'Disclosure is a Republican idea, and we should not let it pass simply because others wish to take credit,' Blackwell wrote to the Senate president and speaker of the House," Sandy Theis, Cleveland Plain Dealer. Photo: Ohio Treasurer Joseph Deters COLUMBUS -- "Rival asks Deters to show jailed donor's check," Joe Hallett, Columbus Dispatch. COLUMBUS -- "Shine a light Political cash shouldn't move in shadows," editorial, Columbus Dispatch.
	Mar 20: GOP official seeks party probe of treasurer's campaign finances COLUMBUS -- "Hamilton County Republican officials did not return calls seeking comment, but Democrats and Republicans questioned the wisdom of a party-authorized probe. 'My concern is, it would be like Nixon saying, 'Yeah, I'll release the tapes after I get done cleaning them,'' said Rep. Tom Brickman, a Cincinnati Republican who has been a vocal critic of Deters. 'I'm not saying they would do that, but anything they release would be suspect.' Party leaders can clear the air, he said, by disclosing all their donations-not just those paid into the public accounts-and by supporting legislation that would close a loophole that allows operating account donations to remain secret," T.C. Brown, Sandy Theis, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
	Mar 19: Campaign funding still unreported, group says COLUMBUS -- "At least $71 million in contributions poured into Ohio's statewide and legislative elections between 1999 and 2000, a government watchdog group reported yesterday. And that's probably just the tip of the iceberg, said Catherine Turcer, a co-author of the year-long Ohio Citizen Action analysis," Julie Carr Smyth, Cleveland Plain Dealer. COLUMBUS -- "Political giving in 1999-2000," Cleveland Plain Dealer. COLUMBUS -- "New study shows power of term limits," Jo Ingles, Ohio Public Radio. COLUMBUS -- "Campaign finance: Time for reform, watchdog says," Darrel Rowland, Columbus Dispatch. COLUMBUS -- "Akron magnate top campaign donor; Ohio watchdog group reports givers to state candidates," Jim Provance, Toledo Blade. COLUMBUS -- "Watchdog calls for more disclosure of political contributions," Nate Ellis, Columbus Reporter.
	Mar 19: Inquiry sought into Deters contributions COLUMBUS -- "Deters has denied that he solicited money from [Frank Gruttadauria, a Cleveland investment broker accused of defrauding clients out of $277 million in the past 15 years], or that the county party was used to launder money from brokers into his campaign fund. Five investment brokers from Columbus whose firms do lucrative business with Deters' office also contributed amounts ranging from $15,000 to $35,000 to the Hamilton County Republican Party. 'I've got a problem with it if there was a pay-to-play system,' said [Gregory D. Delev, a Cincinnati attorney and member of the Hamilton County Republican Party finance and executive committees], who suggested the party hire a former FBI agent or judge to investigate," Joe Hallett, Columbus Dispatch.
	Mar 18: Term-limits an open door for underdogs COLUMBUS -- "In open seat elections, Ohio candidates with fewer contributions than their opponents won 17 percent of the time in the election that term-limits took effect, according to a report released today. During 1995-1996, candidates who raised fewer contributions in open seat elections won only 5 percent of the time,'" Catherine Turcer, Patty Lynch, Ohio Citizen Action. Full text of campaign contributions study. COLUMBUS -- "Lobbyists, lawyers lead the way," Associated Press. COLUMBUS -- "Money -- and lots of it -- is still the name of the game in politics, Citizen Action reports," Gongwer News Service.
	Mar 17: Ground shaking in state treasurer's race COLUMBUS -- "Political scientist Herb Asher began his long career at Ohio State University in the fall of 1970, right in the middle of one of the state's major political earthquakes. More than 30 years later, Asher, now a professor emeritus, feels a slight tremor, but said it’s far too early to tell whether voters will rearrange the political landscape next November. . . . The tremor and the earlier earthquake both started in the state treasurer’s office," William Hershey, Dayton Daily News.
	Mar 17: Official pointed finger at superiors in insurance scandal AKRON -- "'[Then-Governor George Voinovich's Chief of Staff] Paul Mifsud introduced me [to Larry Rogers in 1991] and made it clear that Larry Rogers was one of the largest contributors to the governor, and in my position I should pay particular attention to Rogers' needs and desires,' David Randall told state investigators in a 1998 deposition. . . . The documents also indicate that a number of state and federal elected officials frequently, and aggressively, solicited campaign contributions from Rogers. Former House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson, who is now heading Gov. Bob Taft's re-election campaign, as speaker returned a check to Rogers with a handwritten note suggesting "it would be better to have several checks in lesser amounts,'" Jon Craig, Jeffrey Sheban, Columbus Dispatch.
	Mar 15: Jailed broker tied to treasurer's campaign COLUMBUS -- "Contributions and expenditures of a political party's operating accounts are not public records. State lawmakers are considering bills in the House and Senate that would require disclosure of these funds. But the bills aren't likely to make it out of the General Assembly, in part, because Senate President Richard Finan, R-Evendale, opposes forcing local parties to reveal their operating funds. He says the money isn't used to influence state legislators votes. Catherine Turcer, campaign reform director for Ohio Citizen Action, said campaign finance laws rarely pass without a huge battle. 'Public pressure is the only way this is going to happen,' she said. It took public outcry and media pressure before lawmakers adopted a law requiring candidates to file finance reports electronically, and even then legislators left themselves out of the requirement until 2003, Turcer said," Laura Bischoff, Dayton Daily News.
	Mar 14: Deters' campaign sought Gruttadauria's help COLUMBUS -- "Deters told The Plain Dealer last week that he views political contributions from institutions doing business with his office as an endorsement of his job performance but does not actively solicit them. He said donors are not supporting him to get business in a so-called 'pay-to-play' arrangement, but because their dealings with the agency have been good,'" Sandy Theis, Julie Carr Smyth, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
	Mar 13: Bill would force political parties to name operating-fund donors COLUMBUS -- "The bill was proposed by Reps. Joseph Sulzer, D-Chillicothe, and Timothy Grendell, R-Chesterland, after recent revelations that a Cleveland-area broker suspected of bilking clients for millions of dollars contributed thousands of dollars to the Hamilton County Republican Party, which helped fund state Treasurer Joseph T. Deters' re-election campaign. Concealing donors to political-party organizational funds has been controversial since $25,000 and $50,000 donors to the Ohio Republican Party in the fall of 1999 were offered special access to Gov. Bob Taft," Lee Leonard, Columbus Dispatch. "Feeling the heat in wake of scandal," Stephen Ohlemacher, Julie Carr Smyth, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
	Mar 10: Brokers' donations assailed COLUMBUS -- "A government watchdog and members of both political parties said that although nothing illegal may have occurred, there is an appearance that the Hamilton County GOP was used to launder money from the Columbus brokers into Deters' campaign fund. 'At some point, it is not enough simply to obey the law; they have to avoid conflicts of interest, too,' said Catherine Turcer, campaign-reform director for Ohio Citizen Action," Joe Hallett, Darrel Rowland, Columbus Dispatch. "Big, blurry bucks," editorial, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
	Mar 8: Opponent accuses state treasurer of ‘pay-to-play’ politics Boyle condemns contribution of man accused of stealing COLUMBUS -- "'Little did I know the biggest abuser of this -- so far -- would happen to be my opponent, having beers and talking baseball with maybe the biggest thief in Ohio history,' Boyle said Thursday. 'There is the implication that you pay to play with the state treasurer’s office.' Boyle was referring to the $50,000 campaign contribution Frank Gruttadauria, a Cleveland-area investment broker now in custody on criminal charges, made to the Hamilton County Republican Party, which is a major supporter of the Deters campaign," Jennine Zeleznik, Dayton Daily News. COLUMBUS -- "State treasurer urged to reveal deals with broker; Candidates spar over investor’s gift," Jim Provance, Toledo Blade.
	Mar 7: Boyle says Deters should disclose relationship COLUMBUS, Ohio -- "Mary Boyle, Deters' challenger for re-election, said [State Treasurer Joseph] Deters should fully disclose his relationship with [imprisoned broker Frank] Gruttadauria. The Plain Dealer reported that the $50,000 contribution was made before Gruttadauria completed trades worth $5.9 billion for the state treasurer's office. 'There is the implication that you pay to play with the state treasurer's office,' Boyle said,"" Akron Beacon Journal.
	Mar 6: Gift links broker to treasurer, GOP CINCINNATI -- "Ohio Citizen Action campaign finance director Catherine Turcer said the apparent links between [Ohio Treasurer Joseph] Deters, [broker Frank] Gruttadauria [now in the Trumbull county jail] and the donation are troubling. 'When you look at large contributions and wonder, is there a quid pro quo, it can be very complicated to discern,' she said. 'But this is like that old Mitch Miller show, where you follow the musical notes. In this case, it's not beautiful music.' . . . Citizen Action's Turcer said Ohio should either outlaw operating accounts or force parties to disclose their contents. 'I think at this point we can safely say the system has a disease,' she said," Julie Carr Smyth, Sandy Theis, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
	Mar 6: Big vote for "Future of reform" San Francisco first major city to adopt instant runoff voting Vermonters endorse instant runoff voting for statewide offices SAN FRANCISCO -- "San Franciscans voted 56%-44% to adopt instant runoff voting for electing its most powerful elected leaders despite well-funded opposition from backers of traditional "delayed" runoffs. . . Used for major elections in Australia, Ireland and Great Britain, instant runoff voting ensures candidates win single-seat offices with majority support. It accomplishes the goals of a traditional runoff election in one efficient round of voting. Voters indicate both their favorite and their runoff choices. If no candidate receives a majority of first choices, the weak candidates are eliminated and their supporters' votes are counted for their runoff choices," Eric Olson, Center for Voting and Democracy.
	Feb 26: Scripps TV stations again offer free airtime to political candidates CINCINNATI -- "[Scripps'] nine network-affiliated TV stations will provide five minutes of free airtime to candidates nightly between 5 p.m. and 11:35 p.m. in the 30 days preceding this year's general elections. The stations also will provide free airtime as needed during the 30 days preceding primary elections. . . . Scripps said its stations collectively reach about 10 percent of the nation's television households. Its ABC-affiliated stations are WXYZ, Detroit; WCPO, Cincinnati; WEWS, Cleveland; WFTS, Tampa, Fla., WMAR, Baltimore, and KNXV, Phoenix," Associated Press.
	Feb 22: Term limits are here to stay, legislators told COLUMBUS -- "Paul Ryder, communications director for Ohio Citizen Action, said new legislators bring a fresh perspective and are not captives of the 'Statehouse crowd.' 'They said the legislature lost 698 years of experience,' Ryder said. 'The way I look at it, 698 years of community experience arrived. Community experience makes you more qualified to vote than legislative experience.' . . . .'We have corporate America paying a lot of our campaign costs, and so far as I can tell, it hasn't corrupted the system,' [Jack Wright, an Ohio State political science professor] said," Lee Leonard, Columbus Dispatch.
	Feb 14: Campaign Finance e-Guide The latest developments on the campaign finance debate in Congress WASHINGTON, DC -- "The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (Shays-Meehan substitute) February 14, 2002 by a vote of 240-189," The website has all the details. Campaign Finance Institute.
	Feb 4: Ohio politicians shun Enron's money COLUMBUS -- "Most Ohio incumbents surveyed reported that they planned to give money received from Enron Corporation Political Action Committees (PACs) to charity, according to a study released today by Ohio Citizen Action. The Enron Hot-Potato report details contributions from Enron Corporation PACs and employees to Ohio statewide and legislative candidates from 1997-2000," Catherine Turcer, Ohio Citizen Action. COLUMBUS -- "Most Ohio Politicians Give Away Enron Money," Bill Cohen, Ohio Public Radio.
	Feb 1: Campaign contributions from Enron Statement from Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder COLUMBUS -- "Working with Ohio Citizen Action, we discovered that the Greater Houston Community Foundation has established a fund for Houston-based employees of Enron. The foundation is an IRS 501(c)(3) designated organization, bringing it in line with Ohio’s campaign finance laws on charitable donations. I have authorized donations of $2,500 from Citizens for Householder and $8,000 from the House Republican Campaign Committee to this fund. In doing so, I hope to reinforce to Ohioans that the House Republicans do not support even the appearance of preferential treatment, while at the same time supporting those who have been most affected by these unfortunate circumstances," Speaker Larry Householder, Ohio House.
	Jan 31: Plan to study expanding nuclear power COLUMBUS -- "One environmental group, Citizen Action, says it is interesting that campaign finance reports from the last election cycle show [sponsor State Rep. Sam] Britton got money from PACs linked with Cinergy, AEP and other utilities that amount to a quarter of his campaign war chest," Bill Cohen, Ohio Public Radio.
	Jan 29: Taft’s $5.7M breaks fund mark Election-year campaign total dwarfs $150,000 for opponent CLEVELAND -- "Ohio Citizen Action, a statewide consumer and environmental group, applauded the large proportion of individual contributors to Mr. Taft, but called the $5.7 million campaign fund 'overkill.' The group said the power of money in politics is chilling competition. 'When one candidate has $5.7 million, think of how scary it is to say, 'I am going to go up against that,'' said Catherine Turcer, Citizen Action’s campaign reform director. 'You can scare off viable and exciting alternative candidates,'" James Drew, Toledo Blade.
	Jan 26: Refund rush Politicians dash to unload Enron's cash COLUMBUS -- "Closer to home, Ohio Attorney General Betty D. Montgomery, state Auditor Jim Petro and Gov. Bob Taft all have announced they will donate their Enron contributions to one worthy cause or another. State Development Director Bruce E. Johnson says he'll give back the $2,000 he got from Enron back when he still was a state senator. So will Republican U.S. Reps. Deborah Pryce of Perry Township, Pat Tiberi of Columbus and Bob Ney of St. Clairsville," editorial, Columbus Dispatch.
	Jan 25: Senate president says he won't return Enron money COLUMBUS -- "The contributions came as the Legislature was writing the electric restructuring bill. Enron was one of the electric power suppliers that stood to benefit from the competitive market the bill was intended to create. It took effect in January 2000," Associated Press. Finan statement full text. COLUMBUS -- "Ohio politicians may return donations from PIE Mutual," Darrel Rowland, Columbus Dispatch.