Tuesday, May 15, 2001

Three of Ohio's four legislative campaign committees flunked a test on how much information they voluntarily disclose about donors, the nonprofit advocacy group Citizen Action said yesterday.

"We believe voters have a right to know about money flowing through Ohio political parties,'' said Laura Yeomans, the organization's research director. "Voters deserve to know who is trying to influence Ohio's elections.''

Citizen Action judged the parties on how well they revealed the address and employer of contributors of more than $100 -- a voluntary practice since legislators exempted parties from those requirements in campaign finance reforms during the mid-1990s. Such information is mandatory for campaign finance reports of statewide and legislative candidates.

Receiving F's on revealing employer information were campaign committees for Senate Democrats (a 26 percent disclosure rate), House Democrats (42 percent) and House Republicans (45 percent). The only passing grade, a C, went to Senate Republicans, who had a 77 percent disclosure rate.

State party organizations did better, each getting C's by disclosing where their contributors worked 75 percent of the time.

Both the legislative caucuses and parties did better revealing addresses of donors, earning straight A's from Citizen Action.

The glaring exception was the Ohio Republican Party's operating account, about which party officials have refused to disclose any information. That fund is legally secret under a controversial Ohio law that allows confidential contributions of unlimited amounts. However, the Ohio Democratic Party has taken the wraps off its operating account.

Yeomans characterized state legislators as "disinterested'' in changing the law to require more disclosure, steps states such as New York and Connecticut took years ago.

-- Darrel Rowland

drowland@dispatch.com

Funding on the way

for scholarship program

High-school seniors counting on a $500 scholarship to an Ohio college for passing the 12th-grade proficiency test can rest easy. The check's in the mail, or will be shortly.

Legislation funding the scholarship program is on its way to Gov. Bob Taft, whose office said he will sign House Bill 181.

Because of a quirk in the budget, the state had not funded the program for 2001. Rep. Stephen Buehrer, R- Delta, helped scrape together $17.5 million in leftover funds from the Ohio Department of Education to provide scholarships for the 46,481 seniors who qualify this year.

To qualify, seniors must pass all five parts of the proficiency test and use their scholarship in Ohio.

The 12th-grade test is being scrapped, so the scholarships won't be available to next year's seniors.

-- Lee Leonard

lleonard@dispatch.com

Ohio's first female

health director dies at 58

Ohio's first female health director, Lou Ellen Fairless, died Sunday after a two-year battle with cancer.

Fairless, 58, was named state health director by Gov. George V. Voinovich in September 1998 and served until mid-1999. She had been an assistant director from 1993.

"From the time she started her career as a social worker in West Virginia going door to door to immunize children, Lou Ellen Fairless was committed to improving public health,'' said current state Health Director J. Nick Baird.

"She was a bright and caring human being who believed in assuring quality of care for everyone who used Ohio's health-case facilities. She was also a friend and a mentor to many of us, and will be greatly missed.''

Fairless had more than 20 years of executive-level health experience, including director of licensure and certification for the West Virginia health department.

Survivors include her husband, John of Columbus, her mother, a stepson, a stepdaughter and a sister.

Memorial services will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity Episcopal Church on Capitol Square, where the family will arrive one hour before services. Contributions may be made to the Hospice at Riverside.

-- Darrel Rowland

drowland@dispatch.com

House, Senate sessions

available live on Web

Live from the Statehouse, it's Wednesday afternoon! And Tuesday morning. And sometimes, as in the case of a couple of weeks ago when budget hearings dragged on, Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

Ohio Government Telecommunications is presenting live and archived sessions of the Ohio House and Senate on the Internet.

The sessions are available on the new Web site: http://www.oll.state.oh.us.realplayer/ a free download from http://www.real.com,is/ needed to view the programming.

-- Lee Leonard

lleonard@dispatch.com

Attorney general honored

for free legal services

Attorney General Betty D. Montgomery's office was recognized last week for a program offering voluntary legal services to low-income and elderly Ohioans.

Montgomery accepted the 2001 Presidential Award for Pro Bono Service on behalf of her staff during the 121st Annual Convention of the Ohio State Bar Association in Dayton.

A year ago, Montgomery unveiled an officewide pro-bono initiative to provide legal assistance for low-income senior citizens and hospice patients across Ohio. More than 110 staff members participated in the program by volunteering their time to provide legal assistance to those who couldn't afford it.

"One of the most meaningful acts an attorney can perform is to provide access to the legal system for all citizens, not just those who can afford it,'' Montgomery said.

"I applaud the generous spirit and outstanding commitment my staff has demonstrated through their participation in pro-bono work,'' she said.

Since last May, the office has served 203 clients by providing them with powers of attorney, living wills and wills.

-- Jon Craig

jcraig@dispatch.com

Female lawyers honored

for service to profession

Columbus lawyer Sally W. Bloomfield and Judge Luann Cooperrider of Thornville received the Nettie Cronise Lutes awards last week during the Ohio State Bar Association's 121st annual meeting and convention in Dayton.

The award, named after the first woman to practice law in Ohio, recognizes "women lawyers who have improved the legal profession through their own high level of professionalism and who have opened doors for other women and girls.''

Bloomfield is a partner with the Columbus law firm Bricker & Eckler. She serves as regulatory counsel to several merchant power-plant projects, Ohio's largest privately owned water utility, several natural-gas marketers, and local and long-distance telephone companies.

Cooperrider became the first woman elected to the bench in Perry County when she became probate- juvenile judge in 1991. Previously, she was an assistant prosecuting attorney in Perry County and night prosecutor and hearing officer in Licking County.

Frederick L. Oremus of Athens was awarded the association's highest honor, the Ohio Bar Medal.

The bronze medallion is awarded to a person who exemplifies "unusually meritorious service to the legal profession, to the community and to humanity.''

Oremus is a partner in the Athens law firm of Eslocker, Hodson & Oremus.

-- Jon Craig

jcraig@dispatch.com

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