Columbus – Senator Michael J. Skindell (D-Lakewood) announced today that Senate Democrats have proposed nearly 40 amendments to fix flaws in Governor Kasich’s JobsOhio plan. The amendments focus on protecting tax dollars, improving transparency and accountability and raising ethical standards for JobsOhio.
“Through hearings in the House and the Senate, it has become clear that the current JobsOhio plan lacks the necessary transparency and accountability measures to protect taxpayers’ money,” said Senator Skindell, the Ranking Minority member on the Senate Finance Committee. “Senate Democrats listened to the concerns of the Ohio Ethics Commission and that’s why we’re calling for higher ethical standards for board members and other employees of JobsOhio.”
Senate Democrats have proposed that Ohio’s Ethics laws apply to JobsOhio, just as they do for other state agencies and departments. Other amendments submitted to the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee today include the following:
• More legislative oversight: Appointments to JobsOhio’s Board of Directors would need “advice and consent” from the Senate.
• More public input and scrutiny: JobsOhio would be required to establish a records retention policy and provide time for public comment during board meetings.
• Greater transparency: Businesses would be required to disclose money they contribute to JobsOhio.
“Senate Democrats strongly support efforts to create jobs in Ohio, but it must be done correctly,” said Senator Skindell. “As state legislators it is our responsibility to make sure JobsOhio has adequate safeguards in place at the beginning, not six months from now and not sometime in the future after tax money has been misspent because of insufficient oversight.”
