In via e-mail (better late than never):
Commissioner Konop Proposes Openness and Transparency Reform for County Government
Resolution would force disclosure of campaign contributions for those receiving government contracts
In a continuing effort to increase openness and transparency in local government, Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop will today propose that all companies receiving contracts from the county disclose campaign contributions to any Lucas County elected official within the last year. Konop's openness and transparency policy will be voted on this morning at the 9:30 a.m. Commissioner's hearing at One Government Center.
"The public should know how public contracts are awarded in Lucas County," stated Konop. "Sadly, there is often a connection between campaign contributions and awarding of taxpayer funded contracts," added Konop. "The public should at least be armed with this knowledge and make their decisions at the ballot box accordingly," said Konop.
If this policy is adapted, once a county contract is voted on by the Commissioners, the information regarding campaign contributions will be posted on the county website for the public to see.
"Too often locally and in our nation, money equals influence in public policy," said Konop. "This is one small step to balance the playing field and insure more accountable and more effective government for taxpayers," concluded Konop.
This resolution will be Commissioner Konop's fourth openness and accountability measure since beginning his term in 2007. In March of 2007, Konop had the BOE place campaign finance reports online for the first time in Lucas County. In November of 2007, Konop passed a resolution mandating that county board appointees disclose political contributions on their board application. And in February of 2008, Konop sponsored a resolution to end all no bid contracts from the county.
...I might not. Let's face it: when money is part of the process it stands to reason that those who have it would want to use it as effectively as possible. And lack of awareness by the public makes any contributions to parties or candidates more effective.