Money & Politics News
2003
NEW YORK, NY -- "Though a majority of the U.S. Supreme Court has validated the constitutionality of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, American Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Anthony Romero says that the decision 'will do far more to restrict political speech than to curtail the influence of money on politics.' Justice Antonin Scalia, one of the dissenting jurists, blasted the new law, saying it 'cuts to the heart of what the First Amendment is meant to protect: the right to criticize the government.'. . . As Justice Anthony Kennedy, who also dissented, wrote: '[The Act] makes it a felony for an environmental group to broadcast an ad, within 60 days of an election, exhorting the public to protest a Congressman's impending vote to permit logging in national forests,'" Nat Hentoff, column, Decatur Daily Democrat.
CLEVELAND -- "Asked whether his big contributors expected special favors, [Parma mayoral victor Dean] DePiero said, 'People know that when they support me, they support good government.' Catherine Turcer, legislative director of Ohio Citizen Action, a Columbus government watchdog, said DePiero can't deny that bigger contributors get better access to City Hall. 'If I gave you $10,000, you would be much more apt to return my phone calls right away,' she said. 'You're hearing from your big cash constituents instead of the little people who gave you $25. And that becomes dangerous because most of us are not big cash constituents and yet we too want good government, to use DePiero's words,'" Michael O'Malley, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
City Council to consider mayor’s proposal, which doesn’t limit campaign donations
COLUMBUS -- "Catherine Turcer of the watchdog group Ohio Citizen Action said low limits can be a problem because candidates may spend too much time raising money. Also, people will try to circumvent them. Turcer thinks some loopholes should be closed. She said she would like to see the city require self-employed contributors to list the business where they work. The proposal requires self-employed people to list only their occupation. For example, Turcer said, a lawyer wouldn’t have to list the firm to which he or she belongs," Mark Ferenchik, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
COLUMBUS -- "Ohio Citizen Action today released a new study of FirstEnergy political contributions, saying, 'by asking for a quick OK to at least $3 billion in extra electric costs, FirstEnergy is looking to collect a dividend from lavish political investments over the years.' The study showed contributions from FirstEnergy Political Action Committees and employees totaled $113,955 from 1997-1998 to Ohio statewide and legislative candidates and Ohio statewide political party committees. From 1999-2000, FirstEnergy interests contributed a total of $289,291. During 2001-2002, FirstEnergy PACs and employees contributed $315,040. FirstEnergy also contributed $25,000 directly to Governor Bob Taft’s issue PAC in 2000 and in 2003 they gave $200,000 to Taft’s Ohioans for the Third Frontier PAC," Shari Weir, Catherine Turcer, Ohio Citizen Action.
Full text of Political giving: FirstEnergy’s high-yield investment plan, 80 KB doc
Extra expenditure estimated at $245,000 even though fewer units are being used
CHARLESTON, WV -- "City administrators should have been paying closer attention to how much the bills were increasing, said Catherine Turcer of Ohio Citizen Action, a government watchdog group. 'Don’t they have fewer employees?' she asked. 'Aren’t they supposed to cut down?'" Mark Ferenchik, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
CLEVELAND -- "The sums are made even more potent by the families' method of giving. The law bars individuals from giving more than $2,000 to any one candidate each year. So 18 or 19 members of the Ratner family simply write checks on the same day to the same politician. It's called 'bundling.' And while it may look like an end run around the law, it's perfectly legal. It's also smart business. 'You get more bang for your buck if you're all giving on the same day,' says Catherine Turcer, legislative director for Ohio Citizen Action. 'When you think about a $1,000 contribution and what it means to a campaign, $19,000 is a lot of money,'" Sarah Fenske, Cleveland Scene.
Campaign-finance system has produced a welter of unintended consequences
COLUMBUS -- "The basic problem with all campaign-finance law is this: Trying to limit spending on politics is like trying to hold back a deluge with a sieve. Political power is the greatest prize there is, and as long as this remains true, the contest for power will attract money. Stopping or limiting this cash flow is not an option. No matter how many times the reforms are reformed, money will find a way into the system. There is a simpler and more effective way. Do away with contribution limits on individuals and require full disclosure of all giving and spending. Let the money flow, but let it do so in the open where all can see. Voters will know who is contributing to whom and vote accordingly. Candidates will regain control over their campaign messages. Political newcomers will have half a chance once again. And independent advocacy groups no longer will receive the vast sums that allow them to turn elections into hog wallows," editorial, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
Three-hour timeout takes toll on session
COLUMBUS -- "Even though he is prevented by term limits from seeking re-election, [House Speaker Larry Householder (Glenford)] traveled -- in his chauffeured, state-provided sport-utility vehicle -- to Zanesville for a fund-raiser with business leaders. But others were infuriated, calling the fund-raising timeout an affront to the legislative process. 'There's nothing wrong with working hard and playing hard, but don't do it on the people's time,' said Catherine Turcer, legislative director for Citizen Action, a nonprofit government watchdog group. 'When it's a session day, they should be focusing on lawmaking.' The issue of Ohio legislators raising money during sessions has been questioned before; the practice is banned in 27 states. Critics say that's when lawmakers are most susceptible to the influence of lobbyists and other special interests, especially when the fund-raisers are held in Columbus instead of the legislators' home districts. Ohio Citizen Action found that 104 of 109 fund-raisers held earlier this year were on days the legislature was in session," Lee Leonard, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
Change in criteria benefitted winner
COLUMBUS -- "'If [Jerry Hammond, a lobbyist and former Columbus City Council president] is actually so good at public relations, you'd think he'd know about how this looks,' said Catherine Turcer of the government watchdog group Ohio Citizen Action. 'I mean, really, this looks terrible,'" Bill Bush, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
COLUMBUS -- "Ohio House and Senate leaders are giving lawmakers a day off from passing bills to attend a lauded politician's funeral today. Some committees have been canceled, too. But the fund-raising events will continue. State lawmakers will host more than 20 breakfast, dinner or cocktail parties in the next two days to raise money for their campaigns -- a startling number even to the politically initiated. . . .According to a recent Citizen Action study, 104 of 109 fund-raisers held during the first six months of the 125th General Assembly were held on session days. That means lawmakers are asking for money -- or lobbyists are offering it -- on the very days that key votes on bills might be happening, [Ohio Citizen Action Legislative Director Catherine] Turcer said," Julie Carr Smyth, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS -- "Justice Maureen O'Connor of the Ohio Supreme Court, a major recipient of campaign contributions from the insurance industry, sided with insurers in reversing a previous court position. O'Connor received $200,652 from insurance companies in 2002, or 11 percent of her $1.7 million total, an Associated Press review of campaign finance records showed. A separate analysis by Ohio Citizen Action found $206,000. Her opponent in the election last November, Democrat Tim Black, received no money from insurance companies or agents, AP's review showed. Ohio Citizen Action identified $300 in insurance contributions to Black," Andrew Welsh-Huggins, Associated Press.
Procter and Gamble leads Cincinnati donors backing high-tech start-ups
COLUMBUS -- "While Ohio law limits how much individuals and special interests can give to the governor and lawmakers' war chests, there are no limits on public issue campaigns. That's a problem for Catherine Turcer, a lobbyist for campaign finance reform group Ohio Citizen Action. Turcer questioned whether the money companies give in donations would be returned in future Third Frontier grants. 'I think it's very likely they'll get something out of it,' Turcer said. . . .The biggest single contributors to the state Issue 1 campaign: Procter & Gamble $300,000; FirstEnergy Corp. $200,000; Taft-Bradley Inaugural Committee $185,004; American Financial $150,000; Cinergy Services $100,000; Western-Southern Life Insurance Co. $100,000; National City Bank $100,000; The Timken Co. $100,000; Keybank National Assoc. $75,000; Nationwide Insurance $75,000; American Electric Power $75,000," Spencer Hunt, Cincinnati Enquirer.
COLUMBUS -- "Companies chipping in to back push for Issue 1," Jeffrey Sheban, Jon Craig, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
Nonprofit donations raise ethical questions
COLUMBUS -- "A nonprofit group set up by the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund solicited and received $207,000 from companies that do millions of dollars in business with the fund. 'Let’s put it this way: It doesn’t smell good,' said Catherine Turcer, a spokeswoman for the government watchdog group, Ohio Citizen Action. Turcer questioned the ethics of soliciting pension fund vendors for a fund-endorsed project," Laura A. Bischoff, Dayton Daily News.
COLUMBUS -- "[In a recent fundraising letter, Ohio Gov. Bob] Taft also writes about the need to support Republican Supreme Court candidates. He notes that 'wealthy' trial lawyers will be backing Democrat court candidates. 'We can't hope to match the trial lawyers dollar for dollar,' he writes. This is true only if the past doesn't repeat itself. In 2002, the two Republican Supreme Court candidates raised about $1 million more than their Democratic rivals, according to Ohio Citizen Action. Most money raised by Democrats came from trial lawyers," Jim Siegel, Gannett Newspapers.
How political non-profits work the system
WASHINGTON, DC -- "As a new Center for Public Integrity analysis shows, Democrats and their allies funneled hundreds of millions of dollars through backdoor committees designed to influence key elections. In the 2002 race, the Democratic Party's silent partners spent more than $185 million—more than double the money spent by Republican organizations. The Center's report shows that the Democrats and Democratic-leaning organizations made great use of a special type of political committee that can raise unlimited amounts of money to influence elections. These committees, known as 527 organizations after the part of the Internal Revenue Code that defines their tax status, can claim tax-exempt status as political committees while at the same time avoiding regulation by state or federal election authorities. In fact, 527s may raise unlimited amounts of money from virtually any source and can spend those funds on just about any election-related activity except contributing directly to federal candidates. Since a law mandating disclosure passed in 2000, such groups accounted for just under $450 million in spending. Committees run by Democratic parties and candidates, along with their labor, environmental, abortion rights and trial lawyer allies, have spent nearly two-thirds of that total," Derek Willis, Aron Pilhofer, Center for Public Integrity.
Ohio Citizen Action is not a 527 organization, does not use one, and as a matter of policy, does not endorse or support political candidates by any means.
Companies that gave to issue fund got work; governor’s spokesman denies connection
COLUMBUS -- "Nearly $9 of every $10 awarded in unbid design and construction management contracts by the Ohio School Facilities Commission has gone to companies that gave money to a loosely regulated political fund controlled by Gov. Bob Taft. . . . 'This is a lot of money. You don’t give $25,000 without wanting something,' said Catherine Turcer, legislative director of Ohio Citizen Action, another political-watchdog group. Turcer said Taft should not be soliciting money from firms while they are vying for unbid millions in contracts from an agency under the governor’s control. 'If I come to a meeting with you and I come with a $25,000 contribution, I’m going to be treated different. These people are getting access to the governor that others don’t. 'You may not be able to prove it in a court of law, but what you’re talking about is actual corruption,'" Catherine Candisky, Jon Craig, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
COLUMBUS -- "Governor's influence builds largely unregulated fund," Catherine Candisky, Jon Craig, Columbus Dispatch.
Charts: "A case study," "Contributions and contracts: a timeline," "Construction cash," and "Governor's private war chest."
COLUMBUS -- "The fight to keep its foothold in an ever-changing market has not come cheap for the nursing home industry. Hiring some of the top lobbyists in Columbus and donating more than $1.4 million to campaigns in the last three election cycles has helped the industry thwart many changes that Medicaid officials and Gov. Bob Taft have tried to make to the system. . . So basically the state gives [nursing] homeowners Medicaid money so they can hire people who push to get owners more Medicaid money. 'They are a pretty big player statewide,' said Catherine Turcer of Ohio Citizen Action, a non-profit government watchdog. 'This is all about getting access (to lawmakers).' Over the last three election cycles, Sen. Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green, has been one of the Legislature's top nursing home beneficiaries, collecting more than $62,000 in contributions, according to an analysis by Ohio Citizen Action and Gannett Newspapers," Jim Siegel, Leo Shane III, Bucyrus Telegraph Forum.
CLEVELAND -- "Financial analyst Dot Matthews believes bad management, and not bad luck, is the problem. She and fellow CreditSights analyst Andy DeVries have called for new management at FirstEnergy. 'The way to repair relationships with regulators, investors and Wall Street is to start from scratch . . .[Burg] and his wife have contributed more than $38,000 to politicians and political action committees on the national level since 2001, according to Political Money Line, which tracks money in politics. The Burgs aren't hard-liners, at least when it comes to personal donations: Recipients include former Akron-area Rep. Tom Sawyer and Rep. Sherrod Brown, both Democrats, and the Bush-Cheney campaign committee. At the state level, Burg has donated $21,000, mostly to Republicans, since 1999, according to Ohio Citizen Action,' Matthews said," Tom Breckenridge, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
DAYTON -- "Concurred Catherine Turcer of the legislative watchdog group Ohio Citizen Action, 'I can't imagine going from $50 to $500 a month for your premiums — and then realizing the people responsible for your money are out at five-star hotels. It raises questions about how well they're managing the money, period,'" Mary McCarty, Dayton Daily News.
Firefighter, detective on road 1,100 days since 1998 for seminars, meetings
COLUMBUS -- "Two Dayton trustees of the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund spent more than $218,000 on travel expenses in Ohio and elsewhere since 1998. . . . 'This guy is staying at a five-star hotel in Florida in March? $500? That's crazy,' said Catherine Turcer of Ohio Citizen Action, a watchdog for good government. 'This is really taking advantage of the system,'" Laura A. Bischoff, Dayton Daily News.
Sep 1:
Lobbyists
going all out to get ballot contracts
Voting-machine vendors give freebies to officials
in hopes of securing deal
CLEVELAND -- "A voting-machine vendor offered tickets and limousine rides to county elections officials for a Dave Matthews Band concert in Columbus at the same time the company was competing for a contract potentially worth more than $100 million. . . . The freebies are just part of what has turned into an intense, sharp-elbowed lobbying campaign to provide Ohio’s next generation of voting equipment, which will replace punch-card ballots and other outmoded methods. Indeed, the three finalists in the highstakes competition are the companies that hired the most lobbyists in Columbus. Those hired guns range from an ex-Senate president to former top employees of a statewide officeholder to owners of the biggest lobbying firm in town," Jon Craig, Columbus Dispatch; Access fee; no link.
Aug 29: State
cancels Schafrath sons' contract
COLUMBUS -- "State Health Director Dr. Nick Baird yesterday canceled
an unbid contract he had given this summer to two sons of former "fitness
czar" Dick Schafrath. In a prepared statement released by his press
office, Baird said he gave the boot to a $24,990 contract with Mansfield-based
Starr Mule Inc. "due to the perception that this process may have been
improper"," Ted Wendling, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Aug 27: Voinovich seeks OK to give back tainted contribution
WASHINGTON, DC -- "Sen. George Voinovich yesterday sought advice on how best to return a tainted contribution given to his old gubernatorial campaign by an imprisoned insurance executive," Tom Diemer, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Aug 26: Official's sons get fitness contract
COLUMBUS -- "Shortly after Dick Schafrath retired last year as the state's 'fitness czar,' officials at the Ohio Department of Health asked the former Cleveland Browns tackle how they could keep him on as the public voice of the 'Healthy Ohioans' program. Schafrath had a proposal: Hire Starr Mule Inc., a start-up Mansfield company operated by his sons Gerrit and Isaac. . . . [Catherine Turcer of Ohio Citizen Action] says the contract reeks of political self-dealing. 'I think the only thing that looks 'healthy' about this is that it's payola,' she said," Ted Wendling, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Aug 25: Voinovich refuses to return $85,000 gift from jailed donor
COLUMBUS -- "The money came from Larry E. Rogers, co-founder of PIE Mutual Insurance. Rogers is serving 40 months in federal prison for insurance fraud, tax evasion and making illegal campaign contributions to Voinovich and 74 others from 1990 to ’97. . . . Catherine Turcer, legislative director for Ohio Citizen Action, a nonprofit government watchdog group, said it was wrong [for Sen. George Voinovich] not to inquire about the $85,000. 'That’s just silly. That would be the money you would be most worried about,' she said," Jeffrey Sheban, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
Aug 20:
State postpones vote machine deadline
COLUMBUS -- "[Secretary of State Ken] Blackwell acknowledged that his critics have said he was rushing the process, and those attacks became louder recently after fears arose that some machines vying for Ohio business lacked federal certification or were vulnerable to hackers. 'There are those who say we're dragging our feet, and those who say we're rushing,' he said. 'We'll play Goldilocks here, and be just right,'" Julie Carr Smyth, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS -- "Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell today announced that further security reviews and audits of electronic voting devices are necessary as a result of comprehensive inquires into the security policies, practices and procedures of election system vendors under consideration in Ohio. Therefore, Help America Vote Act implementation schedules for voting systems will be delayed until each electronic voting devices under consideration successfully completes in-depth security audits," Kenneth Blackwell, Ohio Secretary of State (116 KB doc).
COLUMBUS -- "One of the new electronic voting machines being paraded before state lawmakers and marketed to county elections officials has yet to receive federal certification or to be used in an election. . . . Based on [Ohio Secreatry of State Kenneth] Blackwell's own timeline, that could mean that Ohio counties selecting Diebold will have to commit to an uncertified, untested technology - despite the rigors of Blackwell's vendor screening process. Catherine Turcer, an elections expert with Ohio Citizen Action, called that prospect 'scary.' 'I think the secretary should consider slowing down,' Turcer said. 'Sure, it would be fabulous to have new machines by next year, but it's important that people have faith in this process. The process has been very worrisome,'" Julie Carr Smyth,Cleveland Plain Dealer.
STRONGSVILLE -- "Ray Haseley - acting mayor, council president and ward councilman all rolled into one - is a busy man these days.Holding all three jobs complies with the city charter, says the city's law director, Ken Kraus. But others say it defies the fundamental principle of separation of powers."When one person takes three roles, you're losing a diversity of opinion, which, in a democracy, is needed for good law-making," said Catherine Turcer, legislative director for the Columbus-based government watchdog Ohio Citizen Action," Michael O'Malley, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS -- "The Cleveland Heights-University Heights School Board took no vote before its president signed an agreement giving the outgoing superintendent $146,000 after he resigned. Catherine Turcer, legislative director for Ohio Citizen Action, questioned how Sumner could sign an agreement with Moody before the entire board voted on it. "This order doesn't make any sense. It shouldn't be a done deal before it comes to a vote. The vote is supposed to be when the fat lady sings," Turcer said," Rosa Mar?Santana, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
WASHINGTON -- "Dean Martin Kaplan, director of the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California presented his findings during a Senate hearing on whether local broadcasters are serving the public interest, a federal mandate in exchange for being allowed to use the public airwaves for free. Numerous studies over the years have shown that the public gets most of its information about candidates from television. At the same time, Ohio Citizen Action rolled out a separate study showing Columbus’ three major TV stations devoted scant attention to last year’s election — at least when compared with the air time given political ads. The Columbus stations ran 9.5 times as many political ads as news accounts on the candidates and issues the week before the 2002 election, Citizen Action found," Jonathan Riskind and Darrel Rowland, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
A look at 2002 election news on Columbus local television
COLUMBUS -- "During the week prior to November 5, 2002, local election coverage on Columbus television stations varied widely. WBNS Channel 10 (CBS) devoted just over one hour to election coverage; WCMH Channel 4 (NBC) provided less than 50 minutes; and WSYX Channel 6 (ABC) trailed behind with under a half hour for the week. Election coverage primarily focused on campaign strategies and polling. Viewers heard directly from candidates on Channel 4 almost one-quarter (24%) of the time. Channel 10 viewers heard from candidates approximately 20% of the time and Channel 6 viewers had the opportunity to hear from candidates 8% of the time," Brandi Whetstone, Ohio Citizen Action (30 KB doc).
Companion study, also released today: Profiteering on democracy: How the television industry gouged candidates in Campaign 2002, Alliance for Better Campaigns.
Supreme Court member gets the bench to recuse itself for her petition
NEW YORK -- "Catherine Turcer, legislative director of Ohio Citizen Action, speculated that the Supreme Court may have taken the bold step of recusing all of its members because of recent concerns about the independence of the judiciary," Gary Young, National Law Journal News.
CHAGRIN FALLS -- "Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro insists there is nothing improper about his work on behalf of a national organization that solicits political donations from large corporations frequently entangled in state litigation. He's wrong," editorial, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
CHAGRIN FALLS -- "When the public is accustomed to regularly scheduled meetings, special meetings become 'not truly public meetings,' said Catherine Turcer, legislative director of Ohio Citizen Action, a statewide government watchdog group based in Columbus," Martin Stolz, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS -- "Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro has solicited up to a dozen corporations for contributions to an organization whose members are responsible for enforcing business regulations in their states. Petro, the state's top attorney since January, said yesterday that he has contacted 10 to 12 organizations on behalf of the Republican Attorneys General Association, known as RAGA. The organization had collected $235,000 from 21 firms as of February 2000 and had received promises of more than $188,000 from 24 other companies. Petro declined to identify the corporations. 'The only reason to solicit contributions in this way is to avoid disclosure requirements,' said Catherine Turcer, campaign finance director for Ohio Citizen Action. 'It's hard to figure out what is going on, and that is the whole purpose of the organization,'quot; T.C. Brown, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS -- "Catherine Turcer, legislative director for Ohio Citizen Action, said Mr. Hicks made the right call to take an 'expansive view' of the revolving-door statute and to not do lobbying work under the label 'consultant.' . . . But Ms. Turcer questioned whether Mr. Hicks should be in charge of Mr. Taft’s Third Frontier campaign, given that he’s been involved in details of the governor’s high-technology policy. 'It would serve him well not to be involved,' she said," James Drew, Toledo Blade.
COLUMBUS -- "The [Ohio Newspaper Association's] study, Ohio's Shrinking Public Record, found that state legislators introduced 10 bills shielding government information in their 1991-1992 session and, in 2001-2002, 71 such bills. The peak came in 1999-2000, when lawmakers introduced 83 bills that proposed adding restrictions. Of the 260 measures introduced, 93 became law. And of 200 court cases seeking access to public records during the decade, fewer than half resulted in access," Julie Carr Smyth, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Coleman’s proposals could open up city’s political processes
COLUMBUS -- "The Dispatch long has supported rules requiring the disclosure of all campaign contributions, such as the regulations being drafted by aides to Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman. The more light shined on such contributions, the better," editorial, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee: no link.
Disclosing campaign donors violates free speech, critic says
COLUMBUS -- "Donors to city political campaigns would have to list their employers and groups trying to influence the election would have to list how much money they have and from whom they're getting it, according to rules that aides to Mayor Michael B. Coleman have drafted. . . . Catherine Turcer, legislative director for Ohio Citizen Action, said the change has been long in coming. 'It is the Wild, Wild West when you look at city contributions,' she said. 'Candidates need money to get elected. And we need to know who the policy and economic interests behind the contributions are.' Turcer said that requiring candidates to list the employers of their contributors helps citizens understand where the money is coming from and reduces corruption. 'You need to know who the employer is to connect the dots,' she said," Mark Ferenchik, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee: no link.
COLUMBUS -- "In a news release and in telephone conversations, Catherine Turcer, Ohio Citizen Action's legislative director, talked about special interests wining and dining the legislators. . . . she nailed it right when she said lobbyists and/or special interests in Columbus give far more greenbacks than almost any fundie give back home in their district," David W. Jones, Lake County News Herald.
CHESTER, WV -- Win, place or bust; Ohio's horse-racing industry pushes slots as its last chance to thrive," Barnet D. Wolf, Lee Leonard, Columbus Dispatch, access fee; no link.
Legislators use work days to raise campaign money
COLUMBUS -- "In fact, 104 of the 109 fundraisers documented by Ohio Citizen Action came on days the legislature was meeting — and the full force of lobbyists and special interests was in town. . . .Three years ago Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell said Ohio should join the 27 states that limit when legislative fundraising may take place, separating it from the process of writing laws. The plethora of fund-raisers this year took place even though no Ohio lawmaker is up for reelection until November of next year. ," Darrel Rowland, Columbus Dispatch, access fee; no link.
Virtually all hold fundraisers on session days
COLUMBUS -- "One hundred-four (104) fundraisers were held on session days, four on committee hearing days, and only one on a non-workday for the legislature since the beginning of the 125th General Assembly, according to a study released today by Ohio Citizen Action. Since session began, legislators have been struggling with an unwieldy budget and a number of controversial issues including tort reform, video slot machines and concealed weapons. 'Session days should be devoted to thoughtful law-making, rather than parties,' said Catherine Turcer, Ohio Citizen Action's Legislative Director. 'Fundraisers can provide more than a distraction from work, they can also influence the legislative process. These events give access to those with a pocket book,'" Catherine Turcer, Ohio Citizen Action.
COLUMBUS -- "The Ohio Senate this week removed provisions from the budget bill, Sub. H.B. 95, that would have taken free public information off the internet so private companies could sell it if two or more companies wished to do so. Under the original Budget Bill passed by the House, state agencies, except the Supreme Court and the state legislature, would be prohibited from making state information available if two commercial companies like LexisNexis and Westlaw made the same information available. This could have limited access to important government information only to those who could afford to pay. The Senate struck this provision under pressure from the League of Women Voters of Ohio, Sierra Club-Ohio Chapter, Ohio Citizen Action, American Association of Law Librarians, Common Cause and from some state agencies such as the Ohio Department of Natural Resources," Catherine Turcer, Ohio Citizen Action.
Jun 1: Lobbyists shape policy behind legislative scene
1,462 in Ohio outnumber lawmakers 10 to 1
COLUMBUS -- ""When you think about the way you make decisions, legislators are bound to be impacted by the people that they see during their breaks, by the people that attend their fund-raisers, and they see them on a personal, social level," said Catherine Turcer, legislative director for Ohio Citizen Action, a nonpartisan government watchdog group. . . .Some lobbyists are so well connected they don't have to show up at the Statehouse, said Turcer, who herself is a registered lobbyist. 'If you have significant power, after a while, you don't have to hang out there,'" Laura A. Bischoff, Dayton Daily News.
COLUMBUS -- "State Rep. Lynn Olman (R., Maumee) received $32 worth of tickets to a May 17, 2002, Toledo Mud Hens game and $20 in food and beverages from ProMedica Health System. He said he and his wife sat in ProMedica’s box at the stadium with company officials, including Charles Swisher, vice president for government relations, who, he said, is a 'good friend of mine.' 'People just want to get to know you. It is about developing relationships: What kind of guy are you? Are you nice? Does he have a nice wife? A nice family? Is he Catholic or Lutheran?' Mr. Olman said," James Drew, Toledo Blade.
COLUMBUS -- "Since 1999, gambling interests have donated more than $1 million to candidates, party and caucus accounts in Ohio, according to a December 2002 study by Ohio Citizen Action, a nonpartisan watchdog group. Groups representing horse owners and trainers have given $262,400; track owners contributed $107,750 and their lobbyists gave $142,481. Accounts controlled by [Ohio House Speaker Larry] Householder collected at least $83,200. But Householder said his efforts to legalize slots have not been motivated by political contributions," Sandy Theis, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Both sides of issue preparing for showdown in Ohio
COLUMBUS -- "In Ohio, top officials at Ohio’s seven racetracks have contributed more than $107,750 to candidates for state office since 1999, according to state records. Additionally, two organizations tied to the racing industry — Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association and the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association — gave a combined $264,200 between 1999 and late 2002, according to Ohio Citizen Action, a nonprofit, nonpartisan watchdog group," Laura Bishoff, Dayton Daily News.
COLUMBUS -- "A plan the House added to the state budget would give the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency a deadline for issuing permits to businesses that pollute. Should the EPA miss the target date, the permit would automatically be granted. A recent report by the advocacy group Ohio Citizen Action found that committee members or their political action committees had donated more than $2.9 million to the campaigns of legislative and statewide candidates and political parties from 1999-2002. Among the committee's recommendation is to allow permits for smaller businesses and industries to be issued by rule, without the usual 30-day public comment period," John McCarthy, Associated Press .
COLUMBUS -- "Slots proposal heads for rough ride," William Hershey and Laura A. Bischoff, Dayton Daily News.
Blackwell will set up Ohio guidelines, according to election reform
COLUMBUS -- "Catherine Turcer, director of the public policy group Ohio Citizen Action and also a member of the committee, said she is concerned that voters are brought up to speed on how to use the new equipment. 'We have talked a lot about the requirements for the new machines, but we need to talk about voter education,' she said. 'The problem is, if you are one person and you’re disenfranchised, it matters to you,'" Fritz Wenzel, Toledo Blade.
COLUMBUS -- "Marilyn Wall, chairwoman of the Ohio Chapter of the Sierra Club, called the committee, which includes AK Steel, Georgia Pacific, Procter and Gamble and American Electric Power, 'a Who's Who of environmental violators and their attorneys.' 'It really shows the power of money in the whole political process to get the attention of the governor's appointee at the EPA and to have your interests heard,' Wall said. But Orest Holubec, a spokesman for Taft, said, 'There's no correlation between political contributions and policy decisions at any of our agencies.' The top contributor was FirstEnergy, which the study found contributed $517,568 to political causes during the four years. Ralph DiNicola, a spokesman for the energy company, called it 'ridiculous' to suggest that his company is using political largess to steer environmental regulations," Julie Carr Smyth, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
$2.9 million from polluters to 'call the shots' at Ohio EPA
COLUMBUS -- "An industry advisory committee to the Ohio EPA and the companies and associations they represent contributed over $2.9 million from 1999-2002 to statewide and legislative candidates and political party committees, according to a study released today by Ohio Citizen Action. . . . 'In case we needed further proof that industry is calling the shots at Ohio EPA, here we have it,' said Teresa Mills, director of the Buckeye Environmental Network. 'They didn't even make a pretense of including citizens who live near polluted sites in making these recommendations, and announced that this is just the first step in a longer agenda to cut back on permitting in Ohio,'" Marilyn Wall, Chair, Ohio Chapter of the Sierra Club; Teresa Mills, Director, Buckeye Environmental Network; Catherine Turcer, Legislative Director, Ohio Citizen Action.
COLUMBUS -- "According to Ohio Citizen Action, a nonpartisan political watchdog group, Ohio candidates and political parties have received more than $1 million from the gambling industry and others pushing gaming. Big money is flowing in from out of state and into the hands of the best lobbyists in the business. Las Vegas casino developer Stephen Wynn contributed $49,000 from 1999 to 2001 to the Ohio House Republican Campaign Committee," Patrick Crowley, Cincinnati Enquirer.
Public meetings to be held in April
COLUMBUS -- "Blackwell's committee plans public meetings on April 3 and 4 at the Riffe Center and April 17 in Statehouse Hearing Room 121. Public comments will be accepted through April 15 and can be addressed to: Help America Vote Act State Plan, Secretary of State's Office, 180 E. Broad St., 15th Floor, Columbus 43215, or sent by email," Jon Craig, Columbus Dispatch. Access fee; no link.
Sets meeting dates
COLUMBUS -- "The Act, approved by Congress and signed by the President last year, allocates more than $3.86 billion in federal funds to modernize voting equipment and improve election administration. If fully funded, Ohio’s anticipated share of election reform funds will be nearly $150 million," release, Office of Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell.
COLUMBUS -- Ohio gives nursing homes some of the most generous Medicaid payments in the country. And industry lobbyists are fighting to keep it that way. Nursing homes are among the most generous campaign contributors in the state, a Plain Dealer analysis has found. The nursing home industry - owners, administrators, employees and relatives - donated nearly $1.3 million to Ohio campaigns in the past three elections, according to analyses by Ohio Citizen Action and The Plain Dealer. The Ohio Health Care Association, which represents for-profit homes, contributed $152,940 in the 2002 election to lead all industry contributors," Stephen Ohlemacher, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Law professor says money, attacks harming race
COLUMBUS -- "Political consultant Dale Butland said, however, Ohio voters have previously rejected proposals to ditch judicial elections in favor of appointments, and Ohioans still oppose giving up their right to vote on who sits on the bench," Laura Bischoff, Dayton Daily News.
COLUMBUS -- "Panel discusses judiciary troubles; Attorneys, judges among group that sees flaws, but fixes not easy to identify," Liz Sidoti, Associated Press.
COLUMBUS -- "Leaders discuss electing justices," T.C. Brown, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Four candidates' campaigns alone pulled in $6.2 million
COLUMBUS -- "The four candidates for Ohio Supreme Court last year raised $6.2 million and the winners — Republican Justices Evelyn Lundberg Stratton and Maureen O'Connor — received 109 times as much money from physicians and insurance companies than did the losers, according to the non-partisan campaign finance watchdog group Ohio Citizen Action. The $6.2 million counts only money that went directly to campaign coffers. Four independent interest groups spent about $1.83 million on TV ads promoting or attacking Supreme Court candidates. Citizens for a Strong Ohio, a group backed by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, raised another $1 million to support candidates," Laura Bischoff, Dayton Daily News.
COLUMBUS -- "Supreme Court race money," Natalie Walston, Ohio Public Radio.
COLUMBUS -- "GOP justices out-raised Democratic contenders," Jon Craig, Columbus Dispatch. Access charges: no link.
COLUMBUS -- "Winning Ohio Supreme Court candidates Maureen O’Connor and Evelyn Lundberg Stratton received more than three times as many contributions from individuals and the average size of the contribution was lower, according to a study released today by Ohio Citizen Action. The winners received more than four times as many contributions less than $200," Catherine Turcer, Ohio Citizen Action.
Full text of report (155 KB doc).
About $1.6 million spent on campaigns for contested seats in 2002 election
COLUMBUS -- "'Judges are so far down the ballot that some people don't even vote on their races,' said Catherine Turcer, campaign-reform director for Ohio Citizen Action, a government-watchdog organization. 'That may be one reason so much money is spent -- to get their name out in the community,'" Kevin Mayhood, Tim Doulin, Columbus Dispatch, access charges: no link.
2003 Municipal court races
COLUMBUS -- "Catherine Turcer of Ohio Citizen Action said she doesn't think voters benefit from the horse trading. 'When you make backroom deals, that means voters don't have a choice,' Turcer said. 'And when voters don't have a choice, they are not getting the best they can get,'" Jim Woods, Columbus Dispatch, access charges: no link.