A long history of scandal preceded ethics reform in Ohio

The history of scandal and influence peddling in Ohio politics is long and rich.

In May 1911 the New York Times took Ohio politicos to task with the headline: “Wholesale Debauchery of the Ohio Legislature: How the Army of Lobbyists at Columbus Took Over the Business of Making Laws for the State – Wine and Women Employed as Well as Money.”

It was another 60 years or so before Ohio got serious about cracking down on the ethical behavior of its politicians. Here is a look at five major developments in Ohio Ethics Law:

  • 1974: In the wake of Watergate, Ohio establishes statewide ethics laws and the Ohio Ethics Commission, an independent investigative and advisory body.
  • 1994: In the wake of a speaking scandal fee in the General Assembly, lawmakers created the 12-member Joint Legislative Ethics Committee and the Office of the Legislative Inspector General to regulate lobbyists, lawmakers and legislative staff.
  • 1995: Ohio passed the first major overhaul of campaign finance laws in two decades, placing $2,500 limits on contributions from individuals and political action committees.
  • 2004: Campaign finance laws were overhauled again, bumping up contribution limits to $10,000 for individuals and PACs, requiring more disclosures and restricting how labor organizations can use dues money for political purposes. The move came after a series of campaign finance scandals.
  • 2004: Lawmakers revamped how Ohio's five public pension systems are governed, adding more financial experts to boards, requiring more disclosure and placing limits on travel expenses. The changes came after the Dayton Daily News reported on travel and entertainment expenses incurred by pension trustees. The Ohio Ethics Commission investigated wrongdoing at the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund and State Teachers Retirement System.

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