December 23, 2014 •
Ohio House Adjourns Sine Die
Today, the Ohio House of Representatives adjourned sine die, having concluded it regular floor session on December 17. The Senate had previously adjourned sine die on December 18. Among the bills passed by both chambers of the Legislature is a […]
Today, the Ohio House of Representatives adjourned sine die, having concluded it regular floor session on December 17. The Senate had previously adjourned sine die on December 18. Among the bills passed by both chambers of the Legislature is a redistricting plan to be voted on by Ohioans in November of 2015.
Photo of the Ohio Statehouse by Urban on Wikimedia Commons.
November 18, 2014 •
No Changes Made to Campaign Contribution Limits in Akron
On Monday, the Akron City Council rules committee voted to wait to make changes to the city’s campaign contribution limits. Council President Gary Moneypenny’s proposal would have increased the limits for mayoral and council candidates by $100. Former Councilman Warner […]
On Monday, the Akron City Council rules committee voted to wait to make changes to the city’s campaign contribution limits.
Council President Gary Moneypenny’s proposal would have increased the limits for mayoral and council candidates by $100.
Former Councilman Warner Mendenhall, who promoted a petition for the original contribution limits in 1998, protested the proposed changes during the afternoon committee meeting.
November 17, 2014 •
Akron City Council to Consider Raising Campaign Contribution Limits
The Akron City Council is considering legislation to increase campaign finance limits for mayoral and council candidates. Limits for mayor and at-large council candidates would increase to $750 and the limit for ward council candidates would increase to $500. The […]
The Akron City Council is considering legislation to increase campaign finance limits for mayoral and council candidates. Limits for mayor and at-large council candidates would increase to $750 and the limit for ward council candidates would increase to $500.
The council is waiting to take action on the legislation until after public hearings have been held. Hearings will take place at the Rules Committee meeting and at the regular council meeting later today.
The 10 ward council seats, the three at-large council seats, and the mayoral seat will all be on the 2015 election ballot.
October 15, 2014 •
FitzGerald Proposes Amendment Clarifying County Contracting Ban
Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald proposed an amendment at Tuesday’s County Council meeting seeking to clarify the county’s code in light of an independent county board ruling. The Debarment Review Board, a panel largely made up of FitzGerald appointees, effectively […]
Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald proposed an amendment at Tuesday’s County Council meeting seeking to clarify the county’s code in light of an independent county board ruling. The Debarment Review Board, a panel largely made up of FitzGerald appointees, effectively shortened the county contracting ban for a former contractor convicted of corruption.
The board ruled William Neiheiser’s ban should have begun the day he was convicted of bribery in July 2011 and run through July 2016. County Inspector General Nailah Byrd imposed the ban from June 2014 to June 2019.
FitzGerald’s proposed amendment stipulates contracting bans are to begin the day they are publicly handed down by the county inspector general enforcing the policy.
September 30, 2014 •
Supreme Court Stays Ohio Early Voting Decision
In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed a lower court order requiring the state to begin early voting on September 30, 2014. The stay eliminates the period known as the “Golden Week,” when voters were able to register […]
In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed a lower court order requiring the state to begin early voting on September 30, 2014.
The stay eliminates the period known as the “Golden Week,” when voters were able to register and vote on the same day.
The stay will remain in effect until the state formally appeals the lower court’s order and the Court acts upon that appeal.
June 19, 2014 •
Ohio JLEC Issues Opinion on Tickets to Charitable Fundraisers
The Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee recently issued an advisory opinion clarifying certain gift reporting requirements for members, candidates, and employees of the General Assembly. The opinion also applies to reports filed by any legislative agent providing a gift to […]
The Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee recently issued an advisory opinion clarifying certain gift reporting requirements for members, candidates, and employees of the General Assembly. The opinion also applies to reports filed by any legislative agent providing a gift to a reportable person.
Advisory Opinion 2014-003 speaks to the value of a complimentary ticket to a charitable fundraiser where the source of the ticket is a third party. When provided by a third party, a complimentary ticket to a non-political fundraiser is a gift, the value of which is the portion of the ticket price that is not tax-deductible.
Furthermore, such portion accrues toward any applicable gift limit. Conversely, a ticket to a charitable fundraiser where the source is the entity holding the event is not considered a gift.
June 16, 2014 •
Ohio Lawmakers to Introduce Campaign Finance Legislation
Ohio Reps. Nick Celebrezze and Ronald Gerberry announced plans last week to introduce legislation creating a campaign contribution blackout for the attorney general’s office. New legislation would prohibit contributions to the attorney general and to any party-endorsed candidates for the […]
Ohio Reps. Nick Celebrezze and Ronald Gerberry announced plans last week to introduce legislation creating a campaign contribution blackout for the attorney general’s office. New legislation would prohibit contributions to the attorney general and to any party-endorsed candidates for the office while the office is reviewing bids on contract work.
Celebrezze believes a blackout period will help eliminate the appearance of impropriety. Attorney General Mike DeWine, however, claims enforcement of the blackout periods makes the process inherently more political. Moreover, he said contributions have not influenced his decision to award contract work.
April 23, 2014 •
Ohio Lawmakers to Introduce Ethics Reform Legislation
Ohio lawmakers plan to introduce legislation next month making significant changes to state ethics rules for the first time in decades. The bill would double the amount lobbyists can spend on gifts to lawmakers but require lobbyists and public officials […]
Ohio lawmakers plan to introduce legislation next month making significant changes to state ethics rules for the first time in decades. The bill would double the amount lobbyists can spend on gifts to lawmakers but require lobbyists and public officials to report when a lobbyist spends more than $100 per year on an official for meals, entertainment, transportation, or other gifts.
State Sen. Larry Obhof, a Republican co-sponsor of the bill, maintains a higher reporting threshold is necessary to keep lobbyists honest, as many lobbyists seek to find ways to avoid the lower threshold.
Other notable legislative provisions raise the lobbyist registration fee from $25 to $35, strengthen whistle-blower protection guidelines, allow lawmakers to remedy reporting errors, require random audits of financial disclosure statements, and make changes to procedures for ethics investigations. Bill sponsors argue the bill is intended to increase transparency and accountability.
Photo of the Ohio State Capitol courtesy of Alexander Smith on Wikimedia Commons.
April 10, 2014 •
House Bill 483 to Alter Ohio Campaign Finance Law
On Wednesday, April 9, the Ohio House of Representatives passed a large piece of Gov. Kasich’s mid-biennium budget proposal. Prior to passage, House Republicans added numerous amendments to House Bill 483; it is now more than 800 pages long. One […]
On Wednesday, April 9, the Ohio House of Representatives passed a large piece of Gov. Kasich’s mid-biennium budget proposal. Prior to passage, House Republicans added numerous amendments to House Bill 483; it is now more than 800 pages long.
One amendment voids administrative rule 111-3-05 and changes state campaign finance law by lifting the disclosure requirement for corporations and labor organizations making independent expenditures. It also allows foreign-owned corporations and corporations with state contracts to spend money promoting or opposing state candidates.
Former Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner issued the rule in 2011 and fears its repeal will make it easier for national political interests to operate state-based Super PACs.
The bill passed the House by a primarily partisan vote of 57-33 and will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.
Photo of the Ohio State Capitol by Alexander Smith on Wikimedia Commons.
November 28, 2013 •
Ohio Ethics Commission Issues Rule Regarding Payment and Reimbursement of Travel Expenses
The Ohio Ethics Commission issued a new rule clarifying when another party may pay or reimburse a public official or employee for travel expenses. A public official or employee may accept a thing of value if it “is not of […]
The Ohio Ethics Commission issued a new rule clarifying when another party may pay or reimburse a public official or employee for travel expenses. A public official or employee may accept a thing of value if it “is not of such a character as to manifest a substantial and improper influence on the traveler with respect to that person’s duties.”
A two-prong test has been put in place for determining whether travel expenses or reimbursements are of such character.
The rule overturns portions of two previously issued Ohio Ethics Commission Advisory Opinions. It also requires public officials or employees to disclose the source and amount of all travel expenses and reimbursements.
November 13, 2013 •
Ohio Bill to Require Identification Badges for Lobbyists
Rep. Hagan introduced HB 339 last week. HB 339 would enact section 105.43 of the Revised Code and require the capitol square review and advisory board to issue identification badges to all lobbyists seeking entrance to capitol square. Each badge […]
Rep. Hagan introduced HB 339 last week. HB 339 would enact section 105.43 of the Revised Code and require the capitol square review and advisory board to issue identification badges to all lobbyists seeking entrance to capitol square. Each badge would show a lobbyist’s name, a photograph of the lobbyist, clearly state the term “lobbyist” on the face of the badge, and list the lobbyist’s employer or employers.
The bill also requires each lobbyist to carry a card stating the name of the person or persons whose interest the lobbyist actually represents; said card must be shown to any member of the general assembly requesting to see it.
October 14, 2013 •
Ohio Lobbyist IDs Not Yet Ready for Pickup
Notice to Disregard Erroneous Email
Steve Friday of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board announced Lobbyist IDs are not yet ready for pickup. Those who received an erroneous email indicating anything to the contrary should disregard it.
The board is waiting on supplies before the remainder of the ID cards can be processed. An email notification will be sent out when the IDs are ready.
April 10, 2013 •
Ohio House Eliminates Governor’s Proposed Sales Tax Changes on Lobbying Services
Substitute bill includes only services currently taxed
House Speaker William G. Batchelder and Representative Ron Amstutz introduced a substitute for House Bill 59, Governor Kasich’s budget bill.
Governor Kasich’s version of the bill would have overhauled the state sales tax by subjecting most services, including lobbying and consulting services, to the tax.
The substitute version of the bill eliminates those changes, leaving the current sales tax on services unchanged. If the substitute bill passes, lobbying and consulting services will remain untaxed in Ohio.
February 25, 2013 •
Ohio Issues Increased Campaign Contribution Limits
New limits effective for two years
Ohio has increased its campaign contribution limits. Individuals, political action committees (PACs), and political contributing entities (PCEs) may now contribute up to $12,155.52 to any one statewide, senate, or house campaign committee during a primary or general election period, or to a PAC or PCE during a calendar year. An individual may contribute this same amount to the state candidate fund of a county political party in the individual’s county of residence. The previous limit was $11,543.70.
Additionally, the limit individuals, PACs, and PCEs may contribute per calendar year to any one state candidate fund of a state political party increased to $36,466.56 from $34,631.11, and to any one legislative campaign fund, $18,233.28, up from $17,315.55.
These limits are effective beginning February 25, 2013 until February 24, 2015.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.