Coughlin Set to Propose Apportionment Board Reform
COLUMBUS-State Senator Kevin Coughlin (R-Cuyahoga Falls) will introduce legislation next week that seeks to bring more balance and fairness to the state's method for redrawing legislative districts.Kevin Introduces Bill Allowing Ohioans to Track Their Taxes Online
The resolution, jointly sponsored by Senator Gary Cates (R-West Chester), would amend the Ohio Constitution to change the membership of the apportionment board to the Governor, the Auditor of State, the Secretary of State, the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, the House Minority Leader, the Ohio Senate President and the Minority Leader of the Senate.
Currently, the membership on the board includes the Governor, Auditor, Secretary of State, a person chosen by the Speaker of the House and the Senate President, who is a member of the Speaker's political party, and a person chosen by legislative leaders in the minority party. The board meets every 10 years to redraw districts after U.S. Census figures are released.
Coughlin's resolution would increase membership on the apportionment board to seven and require that five or more members agree to the district lines.
"This is a practical solution to the ongoing debate about redistricting in Ohio," said Coughlin. "This critical decision should be made by those who were elected by the people as part of a fair and balanced process."
Sen. Coughlin will detail the proposal next week be available to answer questions.
COLUMBUS-Looking to strengthen accountability and transparency of taxpayer dollars, State Senator Kevin Coughlin (R-Cuyahoga Falls) today introduced Senate Bill 78, legislation that would create a comprehensive website for Ohioans to better track how state resources are being spent.
"There is a lot of money flying around Columbus and Ohio taxpayers should not have to be lobbyists or politicians to know where their dollars are being spent, particularly at a time when billions in new stimulus dollars from the federal government are flowing into the state," said Coughlin. "SB 78 would create a one-stop shop for average Ohioans to keep tabs on the use of state resources."
SB 78 would require the state to maintain a searchable, user-friendly website where Ohio taxpayers can view agency expenditures, map the distribution of tax credits and monitor state employee compensation. Coughlin explained that while Ohioans can now piece together this information by visiting a number of different state department websites, including the Legislative Budget Office, the Governor's Office of Budget and Management, the Controlling Board, and others, there should be an easier, more transparent way for Ohio taxpayers to track state government spending.
"Many Ohioans are understandably concerned about the amount of taxes they are required to pay, and I can assure you that my colleagues and I in the General Assembly will continue to work to lower the tax burden for families and businesses in this state. At the same time, we should also ensure that Ohio taxpayers are getting the best value for their dollar," said Coughlin.
"SB 78 will help make state government more transparent for Ohio taxpayers and ensure that we are directing state resources to areas that will have the greatest impact on the future growth of our economy and the quality of life in our communities," Coughlin added.
