Public Policy Advocates

Former Rep. Brinkman Successful in Revolving-Door Lawsuit
 
Former State Rep. Tom Brinkman (R-Cincinnati) successfully challenged Ohio’s “revolving-door” statute, which prevents former legislators from engaging in lobbying activities for a full year after they’ve left office.  Mr. Brinkman, who left the house at the end of 2008, challenged the statute because he intended to do volunteer lobbying on behalf of the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes (COAST) after he left office.  Mr. Brinkman and COAST filed the complaint against the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee, and U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott issued a permanent injunction this week, effectively striking down the existing law.  Judge Dlott ruled in favor of Mr. Brinkman because she believed the law violated the First Amendment by not distinguishing between compensated lobbying and volunteer lobbying services.
 
 
Strickland Administration Finds Error, Adjusts Savings Figures
 
The Strickland Administration announced Tuesday that previous cost-savings estimates were incorrect.  Based on Agency reports, the administration had previously estimated a reduction of $366 million in spending during the first half of FY 2010.  However, the data, reported through the Ohio Administrative Knowledge System (OAKS) seems to have been misread.  After further scrutiny, the Governor’s office announced the state had only saved $157 million during that time period.  A majority of the discrepancy was caused by the misreporting of a $154 million Mega Millions jackpot prize.  The Governor has issued a directive for all agencies to more closely review their financial data before submitting it through the OAKS system in the future.
 
 
Ballot Board Finalizes Language, Arguments for May Statewide Ballot Issues
 
This week the Ohio Ballot Board met to review the language and the arguments for and against the statewide issues that will appear on the May 4th ballot. 
 
Issue 1 will be the extension of the Third Frontier Bond Program, which would authorize $700 million in bonds for private companies to create jobs through innovation projects.  The final language for Issue 1 can be found here while the argument for the issue can be found here and the argument against it can be found here.
 
Issue 2 will be the Casino Relocation Amendment, which would authorize Penn national to construct its casino on the west side of Columbus, at the former Delphi site, instead of in the Arena District, as originally authorized in the 2009 proposal.  The final language for Issue 2 can be found here, while the argument for the issue can be found here  and the argument against it can be found here .
 
 
2010 Filing Deadline Passes, Portman Avoids Primary Challenge for U.S. Senate
 
Tom Ganley, who had announced his intention to challenge former Congressman Rob Portman for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, instead filed nominating petitions for Ohio’s 13th congressional district today.  Mr. Ganley has been running television advertisements statewide for his campaign for the U.S. Senate.  However, with the GOP establishment lining up behind Mr. Portman, and a fundraising disadvantage, Mr. Ganley decided to instead challenge Congresswoman Betty Sutton (D-Chardon).
 
Another primary the GOP was hoping to avoid was in the race for State Auditor, where Delaware County Prosecutor David Yost (R-Delaware) and State Rep. Seth Morgan (R-Huber Heights) both had announced intentions to run.  The Republican Central Committee endorsed Mr. Yost in the race, hoping to convince Mr. Morgan to step aside and run for re-election to his seat in the General Assembly.  However, Mr. Morgan filed his nominating petitions Wednesday with over 2,200 signatures.  Mr. Yost has touted his experience as a prosecutor and corruption-fighter, which he believes makes him the right choice for the seat, while Mr. Morgan believes his credentials as a CPA make him the better choice.
 
Here is the full roster of declared statewide candidates for 2010:
 
U.S. Senate
Charlena Renee Bradley (D)
Jennifer Brunner (D)
Lee Fisher (D)
Traci Johnson (D)
Rob Portman (R)
Eric W. Deaton (Constitution)
Steven R. Linnabary (Libertarian)
Daniel H. LaBotz (Socialist)
 
Governor
Ted Strickland/Yvette McGee Brown (D)
John Kasich/Mary Taylor (R)
Dennis S. Spisak/Anita Rios (Green)
Ken Matesz/Ann Leech (Libertarian)
 
Attorney General
Richard Cordray (D)
Steve Christopher (R)
Mike DeWine (R)
Robert M. Owens (Constitution)
Marc Allan Feldman (Libertarian)
 
Secretary of State
Maryellen O’Shaughnessy (D)
Jon Husted (R)
Sandra O’Brien (R)
Charles Earl (Libertarian)
 
Auditor
David Pepper (D)
Seth Morgan (R)
Dave Yost (R)
L. Michael Howard (Libertarian)
 
Treasurer
Kevin L. Boyce (D)
Josh Mandel (R)
Matthew P. Cantrell (Libertarian)
 
Chief Justice/Ohio Supreme Court
Eric Brown (D)
Maureen O’Connor (R)
 
Justice of Ohio Supreme Court
Mary Jane Trapp (D)
Judith Ann Lanzinger (R)
 
Justice of Ohio Supreme Court
Paul E. Pfeifer (R)