06/18/02

Columbus

- More than two years after he first pledged to lift the veil of secrecy on political party operating accounts in Ohio, Gov. Bob Taft plans today to announce campaign-finance legislation that does just that.

In the face of what one citizen reformer called "scandal after scandal" under the current political fund-raising law, Taft and Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell have crafted legislation that would require "full disclosure of contributors to all funds," said Taft spokeswoman Mary Ann Sharkey.

"Both the governor and the secretary of state believe all dollars in the political arena should be disclosed without exception," said Blackwell spokesman Carlo LoParo.

Party operating accounts now can accept unlimited donations, and names of donors do not have to be disclosed.

The proposal would end that, and also include a requirement that issue advocacy groups-such as the Citizens for a Strong Ohio that made an unsuccessful attempt to defeat Supreme Court Justice Alice Robie Resnick last year-disclose their donors.

Sharkey said the bill would have come sooner, but Taft and Blackwell were waiting for Congress to pass its landmark McCain-Feingold campaign reform package.

"We wanted to dovetail any reform effort at the federal level with what was going on in Ohio," Sharkey said. "We are also hoping the fact that Congress passed one will help move something along in the Ohio General Assembly."

The Taft-Blackwell legislation is the first of its kind to emerge with the administration's backing since 2000, when Taft was criticized for participating in events for "Team Ohio." The fund-raising effort promised perks, such as a reception at the governor's mansion and a day in the governor's box at an Ohio State University football game in exchange for contributions. Taft also raised money for Citizens for a Strong Ohio.

Team Ohio donations went into undisclosed Republican Party operating accounts, as have a number of other questionable political donations since then. Since-jailed Lehman Brothers Inc. broker Frank Gruttadauria wrote a check for $50,000 to the operating account of the Hamilton County GOP, setting off inquiries into the fund-raising practices of Treasurer Joe Deters, who once chaired that party.

Deters yesterday launched a promised Internet link to all his incoming political contributions. He is among a growing chorus of Republican officeholders who have said they support full disclosure.

Catherine Turcer, campaign reform director of Ohio Citizen Action, said the reforms are needed. "We have had scandal after scandal. It's just time to get the job done."

Her remarks came at the release of Citizen Action's "Disclosure Proficiency" report card for 2001. The study found that more than one-third of candidates are still using vague descriptions to identify donors, which does little to help voters.

Among recipients of the group's F grades (for identifying less than 60 percent of donors' employers) was State Sen. Tim Ryan, a Niles Democrat running in the 17th Congressional District.

Contact Julie Carr Smyth at:

jsmyth@plaind.com, 800-228-8272