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March 1, 2000
In 1995 Ohio passed campaign finance reforms that created the first step toward improving fairness in Ohio’s political system. The laws created contribution limits, but left many loopholes for wealthy individuals and corporations to influence the political system with large donations. Ohioans need to evaluate the following additional reforms.
- Require disclosure of all party funds and contributor information. In 1997 and 1998 the Ohio Republican and Democratic Parties reported raising $7.1 million. More money was raised, but information about the contributors was legally kept secret. Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell is proposing that funds given to political parties be fully disclosed.
- Change our political tax credit to a rebate. Currently in Ohio, people who contribute up to $50 to statewide or legislative candidates may receive a tax credit on their tax returns. This tax credit could be changed to a rebate, allowing voters to be reimbursed immediately for small contributions to statewide candidates.
- Restrict ability of party and candidate committees to pass unlimited amounts of money. Ohio Citizen Action will work to limit the shuffling of money between candidates and committees designed to evade campaign contribution limits.
- Disclose independent expenditures and issue advocacy on television concerning judicial and other statewide legislative races. In 2001-2003, Ohio Citizen Action will work to improve disclosure requirements at the state and national level for independent expenditures and issue advocacy on television concerning elections.
- Improve electronic filing requirements. The Ohio Secretary of State has begun preparations to run an electronic filing system where candidates submit campaign reports via email or on disc. The department has identified numerous improvements, such as lowering the threshold for mandatory filing so that more candidates and political action committees file electronically.
- Support campaign finance reforms in Cincinnati. A coalition of groups in Cincinnati, including Ohio Citizen Action, is collecting signatures for an initiative petition for the May ballot that will restrict campaign contributions and spending and provide partial public funding for eligible candidates.
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