On the Issues :: Accountability

Since joining the General Assembly in 1999, I have been frustrated by how state government is run. From wasteful spending to special favors for the rich and powerful, I believe that we must fundamentally change the way we do business in Columbus.

With the recent scandals at the Bureau of Workers Compensation and the complete breakdown of oversight that our leaders displayed in catching and preventing the corruption, there is perhaps no more important issue for Ohio to address right now than the pay-to-play mentality that has plagued Columbus and resulted in a gross abuse of public trust.

Real reform is necessary to make government run better and more efficiently for the citizens of Ohio.

To investigate what happened at the BWC and how we can prevent these abuses from recurring, I have proposed establishing a powerful, bi-partisan commission to investigate the scandals. I also believe that we need thorough and comprehensive audits conducted at every state agency and a special focus on how and where investments are made. We must reassure Ohioans that their tax dollars and the resources they depend on are not being misused and abused. It is all part of our larger mission of restoring their faith in government.

But the heart of why state government is so corrupt and what’s needed to fix it lies with campaign finance reform. Here, we need to a massive overhaul of how state officials raise money and we need a renewed commitment to taking the money out of politics.

Limiting contributions and mandating more transparency in the fundraising process are both ways to stop the free flow of money in politics, and to ensure that our state leaders are spending more time on the people’s interests, instead of the special interests.

Read more about my Plan to Demand Accountability in Government and Stop the Scandals!

• Ending Corruption in Columbus
• Reforming Campaign Finance Laws