Watchdogs say more is needed from Ohio lawmakers

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A watchdog group criticizes Ohio lawmakers for canceling nearly half their scheduled session days this year while passing only nine bills in just over nine months.

Ohio Citizen Action says over the same period in 2007, the Legislature passed 23 bills, and in 2005 the number was 38.

Meanwhile, the nonpartisan group says lawmakers have had 243 fundraisers since the beginning of this year.

Citizen Action’s Catherine Turcer says state senators and representatives seem to be more focused on getting re-elected in 2010 than on taking care of Ohio’s needs right now.

Legislative leaders say the report doesn’t account for all the work being done behind the scenes, or all the state budget provisions that could have passed as stand-alone bills.