Money & Politics News
Jan - Jun, 2004
Birth control bill stalls in Senate
COLUMBUS -- "Gov. Bob Taft in his State of the State address urged lawmakers to forego any more insurance mandates. . . .The insurance industry contributed $2.76 million between 1999 and 2002 to candidates for state offices, state political parties and legislative caucuses, according to Ohio Citizen Action, a government watchdog group," Laura Bishoff, Dayton Daily News.
High court considering case that might benefit state
COLUMBUS -- "State agencies could shield from the public all of their internal communication if the state wins a case now before the Ohio Supreme Court, a Columbus lawyer contends. Attorney General Jim Petro has asked the high court to seal internal communication from an in-house lawyer for the Ohio Department of Development in a 2-year-old case brought by lawyer Mark A. Leslie, a whistle-blower and former department employee. Petro wants the internal e-mails, letters and memoranda stricken from the court record, saying any attorney-client relationship is legally confidential," Lee Leonard, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
Critic calls system 'incestuous,' those involved call it 'business'
COLUMBUS -- "Lobbyists' fund-raising influence extends far beyond the money they give to candidates, a sixpage memo to a Franklin County state legislator makes clear. Written last year by Upper Arlington consultant Kyle S. Sisk, the list of key contacts not only told Sen. David Goodman to ask high-powered lobbyists for contributions but repeatedly urged him to enlist those same lobbyists in squeezing donations out of their business clients. . . .Nothing he has done, [Richard] Hillis said, violates the law or is even unethical. He characterized his fund-raising roles as the 'business of politics.' But Catherine Turcer, legislative director with Ohio Citizen Action, a public-advocacy group, said that if existing laws fail to limit and disclose campaign contributions, tougher enforcement is needed. 'The whole system is so incestuous,' she said. 'Everybody is connected to everyone else,'" Robert Ruth, Jon Craig, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
Ohio Citizen Action presses Chief Justice Rehnquist to recuse himself from AEP cases
COLUMBUS -- "Until American Electric Power (AEP) is reimbursed the full cost of your May flight to Columbus on their jet, we must reluctantly insist that you recuse yourself from any cases to which the utility is a party. AEP has put you in this position by perversely refusing to accept reimbursement. . .We learned on Friday that the Columbus event committee donated the $3,800 budgeted for the flight to the American Red Cross. It is no reflection on the Red Cross, a fine organization, to say that this gesture did nothing to remove your conflict of interest. You have still received a thing of value from AEP -- the flight -- and AEP has not been reimbursed the full amount for the equipment, maintenance, fuel and pilot," Catherine Turcer, Legislative Director, Ohio Citizen Action, letter to William Rehnquist, Chief Justice of the United States.
On June 4, Sandy Buchanan, Ohio Citizen Action Executive Director, and phone canvasser Sara Dalton examined the environmental records of a major polluter at the Ohio EPA Twinsburg office. They are surrounded by the tools of the trade: an agency-supplied xerox machine, an automatic scanner they brought in, and lots of post-its.
TOLEDO -- "[A recent Ohio Supreme Court] ruling could have an effect on much more than the children's privacy. It states that personal information about private citizens used by a public office in 'lawful regulatory policy' is not a public record. 'The breadth of that is striking. Names and addresses are pretty basic public information,' [David Marburger, a Cleveland attorney] said. 'Why would arrest records be public? Why would names of owners of certain businesses, of doctors or dentists, why would their license be public?'," Kelly Lecker, Toledo Blade.
DAYTON -- Your right to know; Official secrecy blasted; Audit results require action, observers say. "Catherine Turcer, legislative liaison for Ohio Citizen Action -- the state's largest environmental organization -- said the audit findings were better than she would have expected. She said the Franklin County Board of Elections told her in March 2003 that a request for campaign contributions to appeals court judges from a 2002 election would have to wait six weeks, until after the May primary. 'I was appalled -- six weeks,' Turcer said. 'This was not a complicated report. It wasn’t available on a Web site. It wasn’t available anyplace else,'" Joanne Huist Smith, Dayton Daily News.
CLEVELAND -- Workers often ignore open-records law; Public employees not always informed despite available training, Kaye Spector, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Area officials often obstruct lawful requests for records
AKRON -- "Some of the roadblocks thrown up were almost comical. 'Are you a Tallmadge resident?'' asked an assistant to the Tallmadge mayor when a representative asked to see the mayor's expense report. When the answer was negative, the assistant said she would have to contact the Law Department. Residency, of course, has nothing to do with it. You don't have to live in a certain place to see a public record. You don't have to go to a certain school. You don't have to be a certain age. You don't have to vote a certain way. You don't have to give a reason. You don't have to give your address or phone number. You don't even have to give your name. These are public records," Bob Dyer, Akron Beacon Journal.
TOLEDO -- Law fails to ensure openness; Compliance varies widely around Ohio, Joe Mahr, Toledo Blade.
TOLEDO -- Area public offices are quick or agonizing on records help, Jane Schmucker, Toledo Blade.
CLEVELAND -- How Ohio's public records law works, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
OBERLIN -- 'Local citizens have to be informed', Rachel Dissell, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
CLEVELAND -- Plain Dealer reporters recount how public offices handled records requests, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
MARSEILLES -- 'We, the people, are the government', Randy Ludlow, Columbus Dispatch.
COLUMBUS -- "American Electric Power has refused to accept payment for flying U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist on its corporate jet to and from last month's dedication of the Ohio Supreme Court's new home. . . Catherine Turcer, of Ohio Citizen Action, said the organization will ask the chief justice to recuse himself from a case pending in the federal courts in which AEP and other utilities are being sued over alleged Clean Air Act violations by older coal-burning power plants. . .'[Chief Justice Rehnquist] just established a study committee to look at the ethical dynamics of the judiciary,' Ms. Turcer said. 'It's clear to me that he was thinking about this flight. Otherwise, why wouldn't he have taken care of this after the Scalia scandal?'" Jim Provance, Toledo Blade.COLUMBUS -- AEP favor; Billing justice for jet flight would violate an FAA rule. "But Catherine Turcer, legislative director for Ohio Citizen Action, said, 'If they wanted to avoid the appearance of impropriety, they should have avoided the (AEP) plane. All they had to do was charter a plane,'" Jon Craig, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
COLUMBUS -- Utility turns down payment for flying Rehnquist to Columbus, Associated Press.
- Final Report, Committee on Dedication Planning, Ohio Judicial Center, dated June 11, 2004.
Elections panel rejects claim that GOP diverted funds
COLUMBUS -- "After yesterday's elections commission hearing, [complainant Larry] McCartney said he was not disappointed but would forward the information he collected to the public-integrity section of the U.S. Department of Justice, which is leading the federal probe. Kenneth F. Seminatore, an attorney representing McCartney, told the elections commission it needed to dig further: 'No one will ever have personal knowledge except a participant.' Until sworn testimony is taken, he said, no one will know who was responsible for recommending that contributions be 'parked' in county committees and eventually spent by statewide candidates. The same campaign donations, if given directly to a candidate, would exceed state contribution limits. Elections Commission Chairman William Booth agreed that the pattern of funneling contributions via counties doesn't smell right," Jon Craig, Lee Leonard, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
COLUMBUS -- State panel refuses to probe rural funds; Elections Commission says it lacks authority, Ted Wendling, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Ties between donations, legislation now being sought
COLUMBUS -- "And the probe has widened to include inquiries into whether campaign donations influence the way legislation winds its way through the General Assembly, The Dispatch has learned. . . . The Ohio Elections Commission, meanwhile, is expected to review a related complaint Thursday by Larry J. McCartney. McCartney — a Columbus consultant and former aide to Democratic Gov. Richard F. Celeste and the late Attorney General Anthony J. Celebrezze Jr. — asked the commission to investigate allegations that top Republican officeholders, including Householder, directed campaign donors to 'park' money with county Republican parties for future use, thereby avoiding public scrutiny and stricter contribution limits. The complaint alleges that Householder, Petro, Auditor Betty D. Montgomery, Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell and Treasurer Joseph T. Deters, through their political fund-raisers, directed donations to GOP state candidate committees in Hocking, Muskingum and Perry counties," Robert Ruth, Jon Craig, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
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COLUMBUS -- "Ohio Citizen Action Legislative Director Catherine Turcer said the Diebold controversy may be too far advanced for the policy change to make much difference. 'It's going to take a bigger hose to put out this fire,' she said," Julie Carr Smyth, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
DAYTON -- Lawmakers outraged only half of public record requests honored. "Catherine Turcer, legislative liaison for Ohio Citizen Action -- the state's largest environmental organization -- said the audit findings were better than she would have expected. She said the Franklin County Board of Elections told her in March 2003 that a request for campaign contributions to appeals court judges from a 2002 election would have to wait six weeks, until after the May primary. 'I was appalled, six weeks,' Turcer said. 'This was not a complicated report. It wasn't available on a Web site. It wasn't available anyplace else,'" Ohio News Network.
Householder's fund-raising tactics draw big money to local GOP
COLUMBUS -- "Although legal, critics see it as money laundering that skirts campaign finance limits. Catherine Turcer, campaign reform director for Ohio Citizen Action, called it a loophole that the legislature needs to close. 'They don't want to call it earmarking, because earmarking is illegal,' she said. 'But the whole idea of making it so that my fund-raiser raises money for your county party and then it turns back to me -- that's a problem.' . . .While Householder admits to sending donors to counties, GOP chairmen in those counties are trying to distance themselves from the process. Rod Hedges, GOP chairman in Hocking County, said he doesn't know how nearly $100,000 ended up in his state candidate fund. 'We honestly don't know who solicited the funds,' he said. 'All I know is we go to the mailbox, get checks out of the mail that are made out to the party, and it tickles us to death,'" Jim Siegel, Zanesville Times Recorder.
Ohio House declines to address ad restrictions
COLUMBUS -- "The bill's chances in the House dimmed when the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and AFL-CIO withdrew support after the prohibition against direct corporate and labor participation was added. 'One of the [Supreme Court] races looks like it's going to be very competitive and really could go down to the wire,' said Dr. John Green, political science professor at the University of Akron. 'Both candidates are out raising money, so the temptation to labor unions, businesses, and doctors to get involved my be irresistible,'" Jim Provance, Toledo Blade.
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NEW YORK, NY -- Judicial ethics under review. ". . . appearances matter, and it is troubling that four of the six members of the committee are judges appointed, like Justice Rehnquist, by Republican presidents. A fifth is his own administrative assistant. The sole member appointed by a Democratic president is Justice Stephen Breyer. He is a thoughtful jurist, but he seems a curious choice for this undertaking as his nomination to the court was jeopardized by questions about his failure to recuse himself, as an appeals court judge, from cases that could have affected his investments," editorial, New York Times.
WASHINGTON, DC -- Chief justice orders judge ethics study; Rehnquist’s move follows flap over Scalia's hunting trip, Associated Press, dated May 26.
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Campaign-contribution disclosure rules are long overdue
COLUMBUS -- ". . . this system works best when donations to candidates and officeholders are as transparent as possible -- when the public can discern who has given what amount of money to whom, and with what possible motivation. For this reason, Mayor Michael B. Coleman and members of the Columbus City Council should push forward the campaign-finance proposals that have been moving at a glacial pace through City Hall. Coleman has talked about such reforms since 1999, when he first ran for mayor. During that election, he raised and spent $2.5 million," editorial, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
Voters need to know the name of each contributors' employer
COLUMBUS -- "Full disclosure must include the name of the employer, as well as the name and address, so that Ohioans can track the economic and policy interests of contributors. Voters need this information so that they can understand who is trying to influence the election. . . .During the 2002 election cycle, there were 31 contributions from Charles Smith with 10 different addresses. The Charles Smith who works for Sifco Industries likely has different economic and policy interests than the Charles Smith who works for the Perrysburg Medical Eye Clinic. Addresses do provide some information but many contributors use multiple addresses, usually home and work. David Brennan, the top contributor to Ohio candidates and political parties during the past few election cycles, lists three different addresses," Catherine Turcer, Legislative Director, Ohio Citizen Action, testimony to the Ohio House State Government Committee.AKRON -- Moment for disclosure; Ohio House members have a chance to do the right thing, editorial, Akron Beacon Journal.
COLUMBUS -- Pension fund probe could prompt charges. "One company reportedly paid for six pension fund members, their staff and their families to attend an investors' conference at the Royal Palms Hotel in Phoenix. That included rooms, golf, fishing trips and even massages. 'Someone along the line should have said 'well wait a second, we need to have a conversation abut what's acceptable and unacceptable and what we can accept and what we can't accept,'' said Catherine Turcer of Ohio Citizen Action, a government watchdog group," Roger McCoy, WBNS TV 10 News.
First subpoenas issued to three GOP vendors in Householder case
COLUMBUS -- "The federal investigation into the campaign fund-raising practices of Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and his aides is such a political hot potato that the prosecution has been turned over to a Washington lawyer in the U.S. Department of Justice’s public-integrity section, The Dispatch has learned," Robert Ruth, Joe Hallett, Lee Leonard, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
COLUMBUS -- Subpoenas hint trouble for speaker of House, James Drew, Toledo Blade.
COLUMBUS -- "A federal grand jury has issued subpoenas to some of House Speaker Larry Householder's top campaign vendors in an investigation of his campaign practices. Subpoenas have been issued to Householder's campaign committee, former Ohio Republican Party Executive Director Tom Whatman and at least two vendors who work for the Ohio House Republican Campaign Committee, sources said. The vendors are Sam Van Voorhis, owner of Majority Strategies, a Columbus firm that does political mailings for House Republicans; and Steve Weaver, owner of WiredVoter, a Columbus firm that creates and maintains campaign Web sites for Householder and other House Republicans," Sandy Theis, Ted Wendling, Cleveland Plain Dealer.COLUMBUS -- City officials haven't moved on campaign-finance reform; A watchdog group says now is the best time to take action, before the election. "Catherine Turcer of the government watchdog group Ohio Citizen Action said now is the best time to get it done: A year when city candidates aren't up for election. 'You should take care of this before the point when you're embroiled in an election,' she said. When Coleman first ran for mayor in 1999, he talked about campaign-finance reform, she said. . . . Turcer wants stricter rules. 'Enough already,' she said. 'Talk, talk, talk. It's time to get it moving,' Mark Ferenchik, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
PORT CLINTON -- "A bill that passed the state Senate earlier this month now goes to the House. It would require any group that airs an ad about a Supreme Court candidate to disclose contributors, just like candidates have to disclose who donates to their campaigns. It's the right thing to do, but with yet another Supreme Court campaign getting ready to shift into gear, it still hasn't become law. It's time to let the sun shine on Supreme Court campaign ads," editorials, Port Clinton News Herald.
COLUMBUS -- "Lobbyists spent so much more money last year trying to influence votes on gambling, guns and taxes in the Ohio legislature that their outlay represented one of the biggest increases in the nation, a new study shows. . . .Catherine Turcer, lobbyist for the nonpartisan group Citizen Action, attributed some of the increased lobbying costs to a proposal to place slot machines at seven horse tracks and the debate over legislation to limit lawsuits. Ohio doesn’t require consultants who work behind the scenes to register as lobbyists as long as they don’t have any direct contact with state lawmakers. 'That's the kind of loophole that an elephant can jump through,' Turcer said. 'We need to strengthen the law,'" Jon Craig, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
COLUMBUS -- "Last year, members of the Academy of Trial Lawyers, trial lawyers and their spouses from as far away as Dallas contributed more than $116,000 to House Republicans, including $65,755 to Householder's campaign committee, according to campaign finance reports. Oelslager's campaign committee collected $10,450, the second-largest amount, the reports show. Householder also has benefited handsomely from business groups. Members of the Alliance for Civil Justice, a pro-tort reform consortium of business organizations, contributed about $191,000 to the speaker's campaign in 2001 and 2002, Citizen Action found," Ted Wendling, Sandy Theis, Cleveland Plain Dealer.WASHINGTON, DC -- Under Pressure: Hot-button issues spur lobby spending as some states weaken disclosure. Ohio ranks third in the nation for the most state government lobbyists, with 2,167. Ohio was led by New York and Florida, and trailed by Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota, Michigan and California. Robert Morlino, Center for Public Integrity.
Ohio's 1995 campaign finance law needs fixes. Greater disclosure of the money trail, some additional limits, would help
AKRON -- "Even modest steps toward reform have proved difficult. The House, for example, is stalling a Senate-passed bill that would require independent committees to disclose their finances if they air advertising about Ohio Supreme Court candidates. Senate Bill 214 would begin to rein in practices that have made Ohio the national poster child for out-of-control judicial spending. . . .Another area where light needs to shine is the operating accounts of state and local parties, which now operate without disclosure. The activities of State Treasurer Joe Deters, former chairman of the Hamilton County Republican Party, helped expose the dangers here. Deters encouraged donors to keep the Hamilton County party humming, knowing a strong organization would help him. A bill to force disclosure of these accounts, supported by Blackwell, Gov. Bob Taft and Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett, has languished," editorial, Akron Beacon Journal.
Money mattering more in judicial elections, Kathleen Hunter, Stateline, article dated May 12.
COLUMBUS -- "The celebration of what Ohio Supreme Court Justice Thomas Moyer characterized as a dream come true drew controversy. In a story first reported Thursday by The Blade, American Electric Power, at the state court's request, flew Chief Justice Rehnquist to and from Columbus on its corporate jet. . . Justice Moyer drew laughs in his sole reference to the AEP controversy. "I've been asked a number of times how did we get Justice Rehnquist to come to Ohio for the dedication ceremony," he said. "We provided transportation, for one thing," Jim Provance, Toledo Blade.
Interior of the Raytheon Hawker 700/800 jet, the kind AEP is using to fly U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist to Columbus today.
WASHINGTON, DC -- ". . . environmental groups in Ohio are expressing concern over the propriety of a Supreme Court justice's being accorded favors by a company that has so many active cases, including one that goes to trial next year involving accusations that its plant operations in Ohio violated the Clean Air Act. Environmentalists say the case could reach the Supreme Court. 'The idea that A.E.P. is bending over backwards to get the chief justice to Ohio for this speech is offensive,' said Sandy Buchanan, executive director of Ohio Citizen Action, the state's largest environmental group. 'It could signal a potential conflict of interest, and it's a favor that would not be afforded to the average citizen.' . . . [A spokesman for the Ohio court, Chris Davey], said a friend of the Ohio chief justice, Thomas Moyer, had connections with the power company and volunteered to make arrangements for its jet to be used," Michael Janofsky, New York Times.
COLUMBUS -- Court’s use of jet criticized; Rental of AEP’s plane is conflict of interest, watchdog groups say. ". . .Shari Weir, policy director for Ohio Citizen Action, which has sued AEP in federal court over alleged violations of the Clean Air Act, said her nonpartisan public-advocacy group will ask Rehnquist to recuse himself from any cases involving the Columbus utility. 'AEP is a major player at the national level on utility and environmental issues, some of which have landed before the U.S. Supreme Court and more of which will,' Weir said. 'At a minimum, it creates a perception of impropriety. It would not have been a problem for them to find air transportation that would not have been tinged,'" Jon Craig, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
TOLEDO -- Rehnquist's corporate jet trip questioned. "The propriety of the flight is being questioned by the watchdog group Ohio Citizen Action because AEP is being sued by the Environmental Protection Agency and Justice Department for allegedly violating the Clear Air Act. The case could reach the Supreme Court. 'Clearly, this is a favor,' said Catherine Turcer, a campaign reform activist for Ohio Citizen Action," Associated Press.
Rehnquist will ride corporate jet to dedication
COLUMBUS -- "Catherine Turcer, of government watchdog Ohio Citizen Action, said flying a U.S. Supreme Court justice [William Rehnquist] on a corporate jet at another court's request, even at cost, doesn't look good. 'I have a friend in Washington that I'd love to fly out here, but I can't call up AEP and ask for the plane,' she said. 'Clearly, this is a favor. All businesses, including AEP, have things they need or want from the courts. I know Justice Rehnquist doesn't want to say more by the way he travels than with any speech he gives.' She noted that AEP and other utilities are defendants in a federal lawsuit filed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Justice over alleged violations of the Clean Air Act by their Ohio power plants. The case could work its way up the U.S. Supreme Court," Jim Provance, Toledo Blade.COLUMBUS -- NASCAR team gives $10,000 to Ohio’s reading program. "The House passed legislation Tuesday to add motor-sports complexes to the list of attractions the Ohio Arts and Sports Facilities Commission could finance, including a new speedway in the Mahoning Valley designed to lure NASCAR. House Bill 393 still needs Senate approval and Taft’s signature. . . .Catherine Turcer, legislative director for Ohio Citizen Action, was skeptical about a donation being made the same week legislation favorable to professional motor racing was being considered. 'This really raises a red flag,' Turcer said. 'It doesn’t sound at all like it's coincidental. It sounds like they are greasing the wheels for legislation. We don’t want corporate logos all over the Statehouse.' But Orest Holubec, Taft's spokesman, said: 'There’s no correlation. I don’t know if the governor’s been briefed on that bill,' Jon Craig, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
Urban Growth projects aren’t political rewards, Coleman says
COLUMBUS -- "'It is like middle-school gym class,' said Catherine Turcer of Ohio Citizen Action. 'You pick the people that you know,'" Mark Ferenchik, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
COLUMBUS -- Blackwell lists donations to candidate funds on the Internet. "Ohio's top elections official just made it easier to track the flow of political money. Secretary of State Ken Blackwell announced that his Web site lists donations paid to state candidate funds in the 30 counties that house them. Since their creation in 1995, the accounts have mushroomed, mainly because Speaker Larry Householder, a Perry County Republican, has begun directing donors to them. For years, Blackwell has fought for authority to audit the funds. Although unsuccessful, he recently directed all county boards of election to submit state candidate fund reports to his office, saying the move 'makes the process more transparent and practical for those who like to follow the dollars,'" Sandy Theis, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Will the speaker embrace full campaign disclosure?
AKRON -- "With the overwhelming vote in the Senate and announced support from the governor, the next move belongs to Larry Householder. Unfortunately, aides say the House speaker hasn't had time to review the measure. He should take some. . . The Senate bill championed by Randy Gardner, a Bowling Green Republican, could use a few fixes. Several useful ideas surfaced during the meeting of an unlikely collection, involving the Alliance for Democracy, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Citizen Action and the Ohio Bar Association. Most effective would be amendments requiring donors to disclose their employers, already required for campaign committees under Ohio law. This change would enable the public to identify groups of contributors from the same firm or corporation," editorial, Akron Beacon Journal.
WASHINGTON, DC -- New poll shows very strong support for disclosure of "stealth" TV ads; Report notes Ohio topped nation in 2002 Supreme Court spending. "In Ohio during Election 2002, almost half of special interest ads attacked a candidate," said Catherine Turcer of Ohio Citizen Action in Columbus," release, Jesse Rutledge, Justice at Stake; Catherine Turcer, Ohio Citizen Action; Matt Rolf, League of Women Voters of Ohio.
Senate Bill 214 calls for broader disclosure of donors to the campaigns of judicial candidates
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COLUMBUS -- While not perfect, Senate bill viewed as good first step, Jeremy Holden, Columbus Daily Reporter.
COLUMBUS -- At judicial reform forum, Moyer says Gardner bill helpful, Hannah News Service.
DAYTON -- Court reform bill Householder's chance. Before leaving the House, though, [Speaker Larry Householder] has the chance to support limited campaign-finance reform. It comes in the form of a bipartisan bill that passed in the state Senate last week. The legislation would lift the veil on who's behind the scandalous political advertisements that have polluted the last two rounds of state Supreme Court races. . . But as passed by the Senate, it has a serious flaw: contributors wouldn't be required to reveal their employer's identity. That omission would undermine the law's effectiveness, making it difficult to track the economic interests seeking to influence elections. Speaker Householder could fix that problem and make sure the bill passes -- giving him something positive to talk about when he makes his next political move," editorial, Dayton Daily News.
COLUMBUS -- "A bill in the Ohio legislature is being hailed as a way to reduce the nasty judicial campaign ads sponsored by outside groups and not endorsed by the candidates themselves," Jo Ingles, Ohio Public Radio.
Board member quit to take job he helped create, e-mail shows
COLUMBUS -- "When Ernie Sullivan became COTA's first-ever vice president of transformation strategy three months ago, he already knew the ins and outs of the job. Internal e-mail shows that Sullivan had begun laying the groundwork to create and move into the six-figure, part-time position at least six weeks earlier -- when he was a member of the Central Ohio Transit Authority’s board of trustees. William Porter, the board’s chairman, said he and his colleagues are confident Sullivan's hiring was 'legal and ethical,' though state law prohibits anyone from benefiting financially from service on a public board. . . Catherine Turcer, legislative director for Ohio Citizen Action, the state's largest public advocacy group, had no qualms about discussing Sullivan's hiring. 'This is a clear ethical and legal violation,' she said after reviewing the e-mail. 'They cut a backdoor deal. They were clearly negotiating and thought no one would pay attention,'" Roger McCoy, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
31 counties can buy touch-screen devices for November election, lawmakers say
COLUMBUS -- "The Senate also approved Senate Bill 214, which requires broader campaign-finance disclosure in Ohio Supreme Court elections. Crum said the House has not had a chance to review the amended bill. 'Ohioans deserve the right to know who is attempting to influence their Supreme Court races,' said Sen. Randall Gardner, a Bowling Green Republican who sponsored the legislation. 'There is a wall of secrecy that hides the truth.'. . . Ohio State Bar Association President Keith Ashmus praised the new disclosure rules. The state 'has become the poster child for much of what is wrong with judicial elections,' he said," Jon Craig, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
COLUMBUS -- Senate approves bill governing campaign ads, John McCarthy, Associated Press.
COLUMBUS -- "An Ohio Senate committee took swift action Tuesday on a bill mandating paper receipts for electronic voting machines by 2006. . . Some other groups - including the League of Women Voters and Ohio Citizen Action - viewed the new bill as 'a reasonable compromise.' Citizen Action's Catherine Turcer said there is no paper-receipt technology on the market now that has been federally and state-certified, as well as checked for security flaws," Julie Carr Smyth, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS -- "The idea also got backing from the League of Women Voters of Ohio and Ohio Citizen Action, although both groups want significant changes to the bill's wording to close potential loopholes. [Bill sponsor Sen. Randy Gardner, Bowling Green] said he expects to implement most of those groups' requests. He is hoping the measure will pass out of committee in the next two weeks, with a full Senate vote coming shortly thereafter," Leo Shane III, Cincinnati Enquirer.
COLUMBUS -- Some Ohio campaign donations still in dark, Jim Siegel, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum.
COLUMBUS -- "The addition of the word 'person' throughout the bill seems to allow the introduction of corporate revenues for financing 'electioneering communication.' Because 'person' is a gray area and can refer to humans or corporations, a reference to the definition of person related to elections would clearly state that contributions for electioneering communications are not permitted from corporate or union treasuries," Catherine Turcer, Legislative Director, Ohio Citizen Action, testimony, Ohio Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committee.
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Panel asks for new bids, paper receipts
COLUMBUS -- "By a nonbinding 7-1 vote, the legislative panel recommended [Secretary of State Kenneth] Blackwell cancel more than $122 million in contracts awaiting state Controlling Board approval and start a new bidding process for machines equipped with paper receipts. . . 'This is just a recommendation. We want to work cooperatively with the secretary of state,' said Sen. Jeff Jacobson, a Vandalia Republican and one of Blackwell’s leading critics. 'To reverse something in the middle of the year . . . was not an easy decision.' Blackwell spokesman Carlo LoParo said the secretary of state will not comment on the recommendations until he has reviewed them and discussed them with Gardner, Senate President Doug White and 'other appropriate parties,'" Jon Craig, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
- Recommendations, Joint Committee on Ballot Security, Ohio Legislature, Ohio Senator Randy Gardner (Bowling Green), Chairman, April 7, 2004.
DAYTON -- "Bankers and brokers in Ohio last summer started pushing legislation that would require Ohio's five pensions funds to direct most of their investment business to Ohio companies or companies with an Ohio presence. A Dayton Daily News and Ohio Citizen Action analysis of campaign reports shows that some of the financial services companies that could be expected to snare this business doubled their political donations to more than $100,000 in a recent five-month period when compared to the same period in the last election cycle," editorial, Dayton Daily News.
COLUMBUS -- "Special Prosecutor Thomas Sammon said that he was satisfied with Gruttadauria's cooperation and that others have corroborated the former broker's statements. Sammon said he hopes to conclude the investigation by the end of the month. 'I don't want to string it out any more than it has to be,' he said. If the investigation is not completed, the grand jury's term would be extended, he said," John Caniglia, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Givers deny they are trying to influence lawmakers
COLUMBUS -- "Bankers, brokers and money managers who get state business through one Buy Ohio program more than doubled their political giving to lawmakers late last year, around the time legislators were considering a bill to require a Buy Ohio program for the state's $134 billion pension system. Financial companies in the Bureau of Workers' Compensation's Buy Ohio program, as well as their employees and lobbyists, contributed $108,935 to House and Senate candidates' campaign funds between Sept. 1, 2003 and Jan. 31, 2004. That's up from $49,400 in the same five-month period in the last election cycle two years ago, according to analysis of campaign reports by the Dayton Daily News and Ohio Citizen Action, a nonpartisan campaign finance watchdog group," Laura A. Bischoff, Dayton Daily News.
CLEVELAND -- "Former broker Frank Gruttadauria pleaded guilty Wednesday to bribing an official in Ohio Treasurer Joe Deters' office, delivering a political black eye to the once-rising Republican Party star. . . . Deters suggested the pay-to- play scandal will not change his plans to run for attorney general in 2006. 'It's always been an office I wanted to hold,' he said. . ." John Caniglia, Sandy Theis, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS -- Chief backs disclosure bill, John McCarthy, Associated Press.
Elections officials tell panel machines have good security
COLUMBUS -- "Others warned legislators, who have been asked to approve spending $122 million on voting machines when the state Controlling Board meets in 10 days, to slow down. Catherine Turcer, legislative director for Ohio Citizen Action, the state’s largest public advocacy group, said, "Although it is extremely disheartening that we were not able to update our voting machines . . . I recommend a slow, deliberate process of staggered implementation. "It was not simply a punchcard crisis that led to the Help America Vote Act, but a voter confidence crisis." Turcer suggested the estimated $33 million that Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell saved through competition for contracts be used to retrofit voting devices with paper receipts," Jon Craig, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
COLUMBUS -- State treasurer used rogue broker's jet, Julie Carr Smyth, John Caniglia, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS -- "The Florida debacle left us with a nation divided. Although it is extremely disheartening that we were not able to up-date our voting apparatus in the last four years, the presidential election is not the time to introduce a new voting system that many question. I recommend a slow deliberative process of staggered implementation in 2005. . . .Even if you believe that electronic voting machines can be totally trusted to record votes accurately, a voter-verified paper trail is necessary because of the public perception that it is needed. It was not simply a punch card crisis that led to the Help America Vote Act but a voter confidence crisis. If voters do not trust the voting machines, they will not trust the results of elections or their elected officials," Catherine Turcer, Legislative Director, Ohio Citizen Action, prepared testimony to Joint Committee on Ballot Security.
COLUMBUS -- "Ohio's top elections official asked federal authorities to investigate allegations that House Speaker Larry Householder and a top aide pressured donors for campaign cash and skimmed money from political vendors. Secretary of State Ken Blackwell announced Tuesday that he is referring 'information regarding allegations of alleged misconduct by public officials' to U.S. attorneys in northern and southern Ohio," Sandy Theis, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS -- "An anonymous memo circulating through the Statehouse accuses the House Republican Campaign Committee of overpaying some vendors, then having those vendors make secret payments to Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and his top advisers. Householder vehemently denied the accusations and took the unusual step of calling a private meeting of Republican House members to dispute the memo. The explosive, nine-page document is addressed to Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, the FBI's Cleveland office, the Internal Revenue Service in Columbus and the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Ohio," Sandy Theis, Ted Wendling, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
CLEVELAND -- Plea deal negotiated, broker's lawyers say, John Caniglia, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS -- "The state should put off the whole project until at least next year, when municipal and judicial races will draw a lower turnout than a presidential election, said Catherine Turcer, campaign-reform director for Ohio Citizen Action. 'Wait for an off-year election,' Turcer said. 'You don't want to psychologically disenfranchise people because they don't trust the equipment,'" John McCarthy, Associated Press.
COLUMBUS -- "'It's been four years, and it is painful to imagine that we're not going to have a system in place that people trust,' [Catherine Turcer of Ohio Citizen Action] said," Julie Carr Smyth, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS -- "Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, an aspiring candidate for governor, would be featured in the kickoff of a $15.3 million public relations campaign to explain new voting machines to Ohio voters, according to a plan outline filed this week. . . . 'Clearly, you need some type of campaign to give voters information,' said Catherine Turcer of Ohio Citizen Action. 'But it is always a worry when an elected official takes advantage of a public information campaign. This happens all the time,'" Julie Carr Smyth, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Mar 3: Dancing on the volcanoATHENS -- "The General Assembly's grasping GOP majority hasn't read the Book of Statehouse Experience, which teaches that only fools slam-dance on a volcano's lip. The Columbus insiders have no idea of the peril they face. That's because, in this case, the volcano is stoked, or will be, by a Cuyahoga County grand jury investigating Capitol Square fund-raising from 140 miles away. The geography is as telling as the subject matter. At issue are dealings between the office of state Treasurer Joseph T. Deters and crooked Greater Cleveland stockbroker Frank Gruttadauria. Sure, when the smoke clears and the ash cools, Deters and his office may be unscathed. But Ohio's history suggests that may not matter," Tom Suddes, column, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS -- "Insurance-industry groups have given almost exclusively to Republican candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court, while Democrats received more than a third of their campaign contributions from personal-injury lawyers, a new study says. A campaign-finance analysis released last week by Ohio Citizen Action looked at $867,649 in contributions made from Nov. 2, 2003, through Feb. 11. Four of the court’s seven seats are up for election in November," Jon Craig, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
COLUMBUS -- "Think of the Ohio Supreme Court as a big, old vending machine wrapped in black robes. At least that's the way Ohio Citizen Action wants you to see it, based on the public interest organization's examination of contributions to Supreme Court candidates from November to February," T.C. Brown, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
CLEVELAND -- Householder's strong arm, editorial, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
'Donors treat Supreme Court like a vending machine'
COLUMBUS -- "'Contributors treat the Ohio Supreme Court as if it were a vending machine,' said Catherine Turcer, legislative director of Ohio Citizen Action. Her remarks came as she released a new study examining contributions to candidates for Chief Justice and Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court from November 2, 2003 to February 11, 2004. Turcer said, "They put in their money and hope to be able to press a button and get the 'goodies' they want. Contributions to the candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court reflect the kind of decisions that that contributors want, rather than an interest in justice.' Three Democratic candidates received more than one-third (1/3) of their contributions from personal injury attorneys from November 2, 2003 to February 11, 2004, according to a study released today Ohio Citizen Action. Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer received 2.4% from personal injury attorneys; Justice O'Donnell received only .14% and Judith Lanzinger .03%. The Democratic candidate for chief justice did not file a contribution report and Justice Paul Pfeiffer received only one contribution of $5,000 from a personal injury law firm. Insurance industry Political Action Committees (PACs) gave $48,250 to Republican candidates from November 2, 2003 to February 11, 2004. O’Donnell received $17,750 from insurance PACS; Moyer $16,000 and Lanzinger $14,500. These PACs failed to make any contributions to the Democratic candidates or to Pfeiffer whose re-election is not being challenged," Catherine Turcer, Legislative Director, Ohio Citizen Action.- Full study (176 KB doc)
Letters speak louder than donations, some say
COLUMBUS -- "Pro-gun rights groups, including the NRA, Ohio Gun PAC and Gun Owners of America, gave legislative candidates and other state candidates $208,228 in political contributions since 1995, according to data from Ohio Citizen Action and the Ohio Secretary of State's Office. In contrast, Handgun Control Inc.'s political action committee gave $6,524 in 1998 and nothing in the other years, according to secretary of state records," Laura A. Bischoff, Dayton Daily News.
COLUMBUS -- "State law requires legislative committees to meet and vote in public. But the Republicans say the open-meetings law does not apply to informal working groups that have no official authority to approve legislation. . . .'There is nothing more disturbing than giving testimony [at a public hearing] and knowing that you are nothing more than part of a show,' said Catherine Turcer, legislative director of Ohio Citizen Action," Stephen Ohlemacher, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS -- "The county funds provide statewide candidates with a lesstransparent way of maximizing contributions from individuals and PACs. For example, a donor who has given the $2,500 maximum to Householder can give $5,000 a year to a county party’s state candidate fund, which in turn can give $549,000 per election cycle to Householder’s statewide campaign. Such contributions won’t show up on records at the secretary of state’s office that can easily be seen via the Internet. Donors don’t have to divulge occupation or employer unless they gave directly to the candidate. . . .'If a statewide candidate solicits the contribution for a county, many of those county parties actually have a policy that the money goes back to the candidates,' said Catherine Turcer, legislative director of Ohio Citizen Action, a government watchdog. 'You’re avoiding earmarking of funds per se, which is illegal, but you’re avoiding it with the wink-wink, nudge-nudge of 'I'm asking this for the party but actually it's for me.' It’s another way to try to avoid disclosure,'" Joe Hallett, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
COLUMBUS -- "Some of [Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman's] key staff members rang up cell-phone bills topping $200 per month last year, according to city phone bills. . . . Catherine Turcer of the nonprofit watchdog agency Ohio Citizen Action said, 'There's nothing wrong with borrowing someone's phone. If you’re running up a phone bill of $300, it doesn't look like you're looking for options other than a cell phone,'" Mark Ferenchik, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
Reform means limiting corporate influence, panelists say
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COLUMBUS -- "'Very few people would say that a salary increase is a reform,' said Catherine Turcer of Ohio Citizen Action, which is more interested in reining in the influences of outside special interests on judicial campaigns. 'People who want to be judges are attracted to the idea of giving back to the community, the black robe, the prestige of it, the absolute love of the law,' Ms. Turcer said. 'As long as you have a salary that would not make somebody susceptible to bribery and is enough to raise a family, that should be adequate. All of Ohio’s judges are making more than $100,000,'" Jim Provance, Toledo Blade.AKRON -- Boost of confidence; A dose of independence and professionalism for Ohio courts, editorial, Akron Beacon Journal.
COLUMBUS -- "A panel formed by public-policy groups and the Ohio State Bar Association has offered solid ideas to deepen the pool of qualified candidates for the judiciary. . . The Dispatch commends the committee’s work and agrees with most of its recommendations, with the exception of lengthening the terms for judges. . . . The panel urges the identification of employers of any donor giving more than $100 in campaign contributions. Also recommended is that lawyers and law firms with cases pending before the court in the past year disclose this information when contributing. This data would become part of the campaign-finance file," editorial, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
State senator says he spends most time there
COLUMBUS -- "Catherine Turcer of Ohio Citizen Action, a good government advocacy group, said spending time in their districts allows lawmakers to keep in touch with the people they represent. 'So the person can be a true community advocate. Otherwise, you're playing a guessing game . . . about what the people want,'" Laura A. Bischoff, Jim Bebbington, Dayton Daily News.
CLEVELAND -- "The blueprint for judicial reform in Ohio is misnamed. 'Judicial Impartiality: The Next Steps' would be more aptly titled 'Baby Steps - Some of Them in the Wrong Direction,'" editorial, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
| Current salary | 2004 |
|---|---|
| Supreme Court Chief Justice | $136,800 |
| Supreme Court Justice | $128,400 |
| Court of Appeals Judge | $119,700 |
| Common Pleas Judge | $110,050 |
| Municipal Court Judge | $103,450 |
COLUMBUS -- "Panel suggests longer terms, more pay, training for judges," Jon Craig, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
COLUMBUS -- Panel's verdict: Give judges more money, time, training, T.C. Brown, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS -- More pay urged for Ohio judges; Panel also recommends longer terms, Jim Provance, Toledo Blade.
COLUMBUS -- Group urges higher standards for judges, Columbus Business First.
DAYTON -- Court reform's next steps will be telling, editorial, Dayton Daily News.
COLUMBUS -- "Ohio Citizen Action today backed disclosure of attorney contributions to judges, a key recommendation of Chief Justice Thomas Moyer's working group report released today. 'Identifying the attorneys who appear before a judge to whom they contributed will give Ohioans a clearer picture of campaign finance and judicial elections,' said Catherine Turcer, legislative director for Ohio Citizen Action. 'Campaign finance information is a puzzle and these recommendations give us a few more of the missing pieces,' she said. Citizen Action opposed, however, the recommendation for raises in judges salaries. 'At a time when the state has cut funding to many human services and when Ohio judges already make triple the salary of the average Ohioan, we should not consider increasing the salaries of judges beyond cost of living,' said Turcer," Catherine Turcer, release, Ohio Citizen Action.
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