Lawmakers Seek Accountability and Transparency in Government Spending
Columbus—State Reps. Jeff McClain (R-Upper Sandusky) and Randy Gardner (R-Bowling Green) today introduced House Bill 388 which, when enacted, will require any legislation that appropriates money or raises taxes to be publicly available for at least 48 hours prior to consideration by the House or Senate.
“The citizens of Ohio deserve a state government that is worthy of their trust,” McClain said. “Allowing a 48-hour window for inspection of budgetary bills and important conference committee reports is vital to accomplishing this. As legislators, we owe it to our state’s citizens to be deliberate, transparent and accessible in all we do.”
In 2009 alone, both Democrats in Washington and Columbus have already rushed on important bills without allowing time for legislators and the taxpayers to read them. For example, on July 13th the Ohio House voted on more than 500 changes to a 3,200 page budget bill with less than three hours’ notice.
“This bill is about common sense and the public’s right to know what their legislators are voting on,” Gardner said. “It is unconscionable to allow important bills to be passed without legislators and the people they represent having the time to read them.”
House Republicans are working to preserve the rights of House and Senate members, as well as the public, to know what provisions are included in budget bills and other conference committee reports before votes are taken on the respective legislative floors. This legislation is the final component of “The Future of Ohio,” a package of bills unveiled by House Republicans in September. When enacted, these bills will create jobs, reduce wasteful spending and increase accountability, all of which are vital to Ohio’s economic recovery.
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