March 27

Anti-corruption study sought

Ohio House Democrats seek task force

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Tuesday March 27, 2012 4:46 AM

A week after Ohio got an overall D grade for anti-corruption efforts, a group of House Democrats yesterday called for the creation of a bipartisan task force to review the enforcement of current laws and propose ways to strengthen accountability and transparency.

In many cases, states have adequate laws on the books but lack enforcement, said a recent report produced by a partnership led by the Center for Public Integrity. No state got an overall A grade.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/03/27/anti-corruption-fight-suggested.html

Basic landline phone services could be removed under proposed bill, consumer groups say

Published: Monday, March 26, 2012, 6:03 PM     Updated: Monday, March 26, 2012, 6:16 PM

By Joe Guillen, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Customers in some parts of Ohio might be unable to get basic landline phone service under a bill moving through the state legislature, a group of consumer advocates warned on Monday.
AARP Ohio, the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel and others strongly oppose the bill because they said it threatens a vital line of communication for senior citizens and the needy.
“Some customers would likely lose their phone service,” said Michael Smalz, a senior attorney with the Ohio Poverty Law Center. “They would lose the service they could afford, the cheapest available service and the only service they think they need.”
http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2012/03/basic_landline_phone_services.html

Democrats Want Transparency Task Force, Bills Heard; GOP Says Accountability Is Key Goal

Gongwer 3/26/12

Feeling snubbed by Republicans in control of the legislature and other state offices, Democrats on Monday called for more openness in government and hearings on a series of bills they said would improve the process and enhance accountability.

The four lawmakers who announced their hearing requests at a Statehouse news conference also called for the creation of a "bipartisan task force to review the enforcement practices of current laws and consider new legislation to strengthen accountability and transparency."

"Ethics should be a bipartisan concern," Rep. Matt Lundy (D-Elyria) said.

Mr. Lundy, joined at the event by Rep. Ted Celeste (D-Grandview Hts.), Rep. Jay Goyal (D-Mansfield) and Rep. Connie Pillich (D-Montgomery), expressed frustration with what he said was a trend with GOP leaders closing off meetings and curbing public records access.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=810580205