|
|
ORGANIZATION ISSUES MONEY/POLITICS NEWS INDEX |
Ohio Citizen Action testimony in support of H.B. 525
January 26, 2000 Catherine Turcer, Campaign Finance Reform Director Ohio House Ethics and Standards Committee
Mr. Chairman and members of the House Ethics and Standards Committee: My name is Catherine Turcer. I am the Campaign Finance Reform Director for Ohio Citizen Action. Ohio Citizen Action commends this committee for addressing the difficult issue of campaign finance reform. We applaud the sponsor of HB 525, Representative Chris Redfern, for addressing one of the loopholes in Ohio’s campaign finance system. We share a common goal of increasing fairness and openness in the funding of political campaigns in Ohio. This legislation closes a loophole available to very wealthy Ohioans. Many citizens are disillusioned with government and the political process. Legal loopholes that enable parents to circumvent contribution limits, add to this distrust. It is inappropriate for toddlers to make thousand dollar contributions. We all know those contributions are made at the direction of the parents. We all know they are effectively evading the intent of the campaign finance laws of the state of Ohio. HB 525 provides an opportunity to close a significant loophole. Ohio Citizen Action believes that children of all ages should be able to legitimately contribute to candidates. Ohio law should encourage children to learn about the political process and participate in a way that is appropriate for children. Children should be encouraged to do such things as buy bumper stickers and buttons, attend fundraising events and give small contribution to family members, friends or neighbors who are running for political office. Therefore, we recommend that this legislation be amended to allow moderate, reasonable contributions from children of all ages. We should not allow this ludicrous loophole to continue. However, we should not prevent children from participating in meaningful ways. |