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GOP campaign contributions show need for Healy reforms

State Representative William J. Healy II

52nd District – Canton and Parts of Stark County

For immediate release: Monday, April 17, 2006

CONTACT: Adam Herman at (614) 466-8030 or John Kohlstrand at (614) 466-9036

GOP Campaign Contributions show need for Healy reforms

Media reports that show gubernatorial hopeful Ken Blackwell has accepted $1 million in contributions from employees of companies seeking state contracts underscore the need for a hearing on a reform proposal that state Rep. William J. Healy II  introduced six months ago, the Canton lawmaker said today.

Healy’s House Bill 360 would reduce the amount of money companies seeking state business could donate to elected officials or candidates. It also includes a comprehensive set of reforms that squarely attack the perception of a play-to-play system in state politics.

“Ohioans are losing faith in state government, and it’s easy to see why. The perception is that every state contract is accompanied by a campaign contribution,” said Healy, D-Canton. “This legislation would restore trust.”

Healy’s proposal – which is mirrored by a proposal introduced in the Senate by Sen. Marc Dann, D-Liberty Township – has been ignored by leaders in both chambers now for over six months.

“The fact that it hasn’t even received a first hearing shows just how empty the Republicans’ calls for reform truly are,” Healy said.

H.B. 360 would:

• Impose a tighter limit on the size political contributions that people seeking no-bid contracts may make to elected officials or candidates – from $1,000 to $250 during the two years preceding the award of a no-bid contract.   This provision was modeled after reforms enacted by the Bureau of Workers Compensation oversight body in response to the Coingate scandal (a reform overturned by Republican lawmakers in Senate Bill 7).
• Impose the same $250 contribution limit on companies or individuals who already have a no-bid contract. The limit would remain in force until a year after the completion of a no-bid contract.
• Toughen penalties, through bigger fines on offenders. If passed, H.B. 360 would bar repeat offenders from ever receiving a no-bid contract.
• Close loopholes. Healy’s plan would apply the $250 donation limit to all key employees – as well as their spouses and minor children – of of businesses that receive no-bid contracts. It would also apply to political party funds and to more elected officials at the county and local level.

The Blade’s report on donations to Blackwell’s campaign is just the latest to hint at a play-to-play atmosphere in Columbus. Attorney General Jim Petro, another Republican gubernatorial candidate, has also accepted large sums from law firms seeking to do business with his office.

“When Ken Blackwell and Jim Petro publicly denounce the actions of those who have been caught red-handed in corrupt activities, but then turn around and do nothing to stop it from happening again, they are equally as guilty as the next person who gets caught.  A lack of action from our state’s highest elected officials on this issue shows where their priorities truly lie – in their campaign accounts,”  Healy said.

Healy’s proposal has been co-sponsored by 21 members of the House.  The companion bill, Senate Bill 201, has four co-sponsors in the Senate.

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