State Senate Works to End E-Check for Good

Via email:

State Senator Kevin Coughlin (R-Cuyahoga Falls) joined State Senator Tim Grendell (R-Chesterland) at a Statehouse news conference today to announce his strong opposition to Governor Strickland’s proposal to extend Ohio’s E-Check program through 2009, as part of House Bill 119, the state budget bill.

In 2005, as part of House Bill 66 in the 126th General Assembly, Sen. Coughlin won support for an amendment to eliminate E-Check by 2008 for counties in Northeast Ohio. Governor Strickland’s budget proposal takes a step backwards, extending E-Check through 2009 and costing Ohio taxpayers an estimated $30 million.

“Since we voted to eliminate it in 2005, it has been the General Assembly’s intent all along to end E-Check in Northeast Ohio, and Northeast Ohio drivers are under the impression that this plan is going forward,” said Coughlin. “We need a Governor that will shake the EPA’s shoulders and direct them to come up with alternatives to E-Check, and if he does, I’ll be the first to stand up and support those alternatives.”

Coughlin noted that studies have shown that 97 to 99 percent of cars in Northeast Ohio are in full compliance with E-Check standards, meaning the state is spending millions to find only 1 to 3 percent of drivers who are not in compliance. Despite the large number of driver’s in compliance, Ohioans have still shelled out millions of dollars for the program over the years. In fact, between 1996 and 2006 Ohio motorists paid more than $200 million in fees to the E-Check program.

“E-Check is a waste of taxpayer dollars and a burden for thousands of Northeast Ohio drivers,” said Coughlin. “Therefore, I hope to work with the Governor to find an alternative that offers the best possible solution for Ohio.”

I think E-Check is political pork...follow the money...