Report: Unions favored in Ohio school construction

COLUMBUS (AP) — The state watchdog says an official who oversees school building projects in Ohio abused his authority in handing out construction contracts to unions.

In a report today, Inspector General Tom Charles says Ohio School Facilities Commission chief Richard Murray gave unions favored status and joined labor representatives in “arm-twisting sessions” with local school districts.

In one case, Charles says, Murray backed a project-labor agreement worth $37 million that would result in payments to a union to which Murray still belongs and to his former union employer, LECET.

A message seeking comment was left with Murray’s office. Gov. Ted Strickland appointed Murray to the post in September 2009. The commission he heads spends more than $1 billion a year.