With turmoil in both Columbus and Washington about how political campaigns are bankrolled, Ohio has arrived at a "teachable moment'' for reform, says a citizens group.

If the legislature fails to act, Ohioans might have to do it themselves, said Catherine Turcer, campaign-reform director for Ohio Citizen Action, a 27-year-old nonprofit group.

"We've had enough scandals and passage of federal legislation to get people thinking,'' Turcer said. "It's time to get on with a substantive dialogue.''

Turcer's group yesterday released a study called "Run for the money'' showing the role of campaign cash in the 2000 legislative elections.

In addition, several recent state and national developments are energizing the push for reform, she said, citing the Enron scandal, potential passage of federal campaign-finance reform in the U.S. Senate this week, and continuing revelations about the fund-raising practices of state Treasurer Joseph T. Deters.

Citizen Action called for a legislative panel to review needed changes, and Turcer said if lawmakers' reluctance to make changes continues, a coalition of civic groups might have to publicize the issue and recommend reforms.

Ohio's campaign-finance laws were revamped in the mid-1990s, but a promised review consisted of one meeting that resulted in no changes. Various loopholes have cropped up in ensuing years showing the need for revisions, especially when it comes to disclosing the sources of campaign cash, Turcer said.

She joked that the state tourism slogan should be changed from "Ohio . . . So Much to Discover'' to "Ohio . . . So Much to Uncover.''

State and county political parties, for example, continue to solicit money for "operating accounts,'' whose contents aren't made public. In September 1999, Gov. Bob Taft offered seats in his Ohio Stadium box for an Ohio State football game in exchange for $50,000 contributions to Team Ohio, the designation given to big Republican donors. Taft and the Ohio GOP said no donors took advantage of the offer, but that cannot be verified because most Team Ohio contributions went into the state party's operating fund.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that jailed Cleveland financier Frank Gruttadauria plowed $50,000 into the secret operating fund of the Hamilton County Republican Party, which has provided more than $300,000 to Deters' campaign from another account.

Senate President Richard H. Finan has consistently opposed reopening the campaign-finance reform topic, saying such discussions usually devolve into a circus. Several other state officials, including Taft, have called for additional disclosure.

Now is the time for those leaders to walk the walk instead of just talking the talk, Turcer said.

"It's hard to believe people who say they are for disclosure and then don't act on it,'' she said.

Other findings from the Citizen Action report are: