COLUMBUS—In
an effort to institute greater accountability in campaign finance, the
Ohio House of Representatives today concurred on Senate changes to
Substitute House Bill 326, which imposes a criminal penalty on public
officials who knowingly use public funds for political purposes.
This
legislation—which was jointly sponsored by State Representatives Jeff
McClain (R-Upper Sandusky) and Brian Hill (R-Zanesville)—institutes a
penalty of a first-degree misdemeanor, similar to the penalty for other
campaign finance law violations. According to current Ohio law, it is
illegal to use tax dollars for political purposes but does not include a
criminal penalty.
“House
Bill 326 holds public officials accountable for abuse of public dollars
and violation of Ohio’s campaign finance laws,” said Representative
McClain. “I’m pleased that the Legislature worked cooperatively to pass
this bill and help protect the public purse.”
“This
is another example of the House’s efforts to put Ohioans first and
ensure that our government is transparent and accountable,”
Representative Hill said. “This is simply a policy of good government
that serves the people, first and foremost.”
The
need for House Bill 326 came to light after a recent audit of the
Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) revealed that in 2007 and
2008, TARTA illegally loaned nearly $67,000 to Citizens for TARTA, the
political action committee that gathers resources to fund TARTA levy
campaigns.
Concurrence on Sub. H.B. 326 passed with strong bipartisan support and now awaits Governor Kasich’s signature.
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