Healy unveils plan to attack corruption in Columbus

For immediate release: Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2005 Contact: Adam Herman (614) 466-8030 or John Kohlstrand (614) 466-9036 Healy unveils plan to attack corruption in Columbus COLUMBUS, Ohio – State Rep. William J. Healy, II (D-Canton) today introduced legislation designed to crack down on the corrupt pay-to-play atmosphere that is giving Ohio a national black eye. Healy’s proposal would dramatically toughen a 20-year-old pay-to-play law riddled with loopholes and widely seen as ineffective. In theory, firms and individuals may not receive no-bid contracts if they give more than $1,000 to a public official with authority over the contract during the two previous calendar years. But, as The (Toledo) Blade reported on Sunday, the law has never been enforced. Healy’s proposal – under development for several months – would toughen Ohio’s pay-to-play law through: -A tighter cap on the 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. -Imposing the same $250 contribution limit on those who already have a no-bid contract. The limit would remain in force until a year after the completion of a no-bid contract. -Tougher penalties. Healy’s plan calls for bigger fines on offenders and would bar repeat offenders from ever receiving a no-bid contract. -Closing loopholes. Healy’s plan would apply the $250 donation limit to all key employees, employees’ spouses, and employees’ minor children of businesses that receive no-bid contracts, to political party funds and to more elected officials at the county and local level. Healy said it’s time to put teeth in Ohio’s pay-to-play law. “Ohioans deserve the assurance that state contracts are being awarded based on price and value – rather than which special interests write the biggest checks,” Healy said. “I believe this legislation will put teeth in our law – and give Ohioans confidence that state government isn’t for sale anymore.” Media reports over the past few months have uncovered numerous examples of suspiciously-timed campaign contributions, including: - Tom Noe, who wrote Bob Taft a $2,000 check less than two weeks after receiving $25 million in public funds to invest in rare coins. - Engineers and design firms, who have made more than $1 million in donations to state officials or political interests over the past ten years according to The (Toledo) Blade -- and received more than $400 million in Ohio Department of Transportation contracts. - Attorneys, who have made roughly $804,000 to Jim Petro’s campaign funds over the past few years. On Aug. 29, they were awarded $19 million in no-bid contracts during Controlling Board meeting. “We have our highest elected leaders in this state taking what appear to be unofficial bribes in exchange for lucrative contracts,” Healy said. “That seems to be business as usual in Columbus – and it needs to stop.” Healy’s proposal is set to be endorsed and sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Marc Dann (D-Liberty Township). “I think it’s great,” Dann said. “We’ve got to stop these guys from selling our government off in pieces to their highest donors. I have faith that this bill will address many of those concerns.” - 30 -