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Is it transparent yet?
On the side
Name game: U.S. Rep.-elect Bill Johnson won’t start serving in Congress for another month, but there is already talk about potential challengers to the Republican in the 2012 election.
Johnson of Poland defeated U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, a Democrat from St. Clairsville, who was seeking his third two-year term representing the 12-county 6th Congressional District. That district includes all of Columbiana County and about half of Mahoning County.
The biggest issue is congressional redistricting, which could bring major changes to the boundaries of the 6th. The district was significantly altered in 2002, and currently runs for about 350 miles along the state’s eastern border.
It’s very early, but there are a few names being tossed around as potential Democratic candidates if the district still includes Mahoning and/or Columbiana counties in 2012. At the top of that list is Mahoning County Commissioner Anthony Traficanti.
Should Ohioans be concerned about the transparency of Gov.-elect John Kasich’s administration?
“Of course, not; absolutely not,” said Rob Nichols, Kasich’s spokesman. “There will be plenty of sunshine.”
Yet Kasich’s refusal to disclose the names of those applying for jobs in his administration is a source of concern for some political watchdogs, activists and media outlets.
No law requires Kasich to provide that information until he takes over as governor. Kasich, a Republican, beat Ted Strickland, the Democratic incumbent, in last month’s election.
Kasich said he’s “mystified” by the calls to release the information now, and he urged reporters to be “responsible” with the information when it’s made public after he takes office Jan. 10.
“Frankly, I’m shocked,” he told reporters, including Marc Kovac, The Vindicator’s Columbus correspondent, on Tuesday. “Maybe the people that demand all this openness ought to think about the way they want their kids treated. Do they want their kids to be jeopardized because they’re trying to improve themselves and look for another job?”
Based on his cabinet nominees, I don’t think there will be many teenagers and those in their early 20s working for Kasich, particularly in high-level positions.
Even if there are, when a person applies for a public sector job — whether it be superintendent of schools, janitor at city hall or deputy director or secretary at a state agency — their r sum s and job applications are public records.
If a person is concerned about the boss finding out they’re looking for another job, they should skip seeking one in the public sector.
Nichols said this isn’t a “transparency issue, it’s a jobs issue. It’s about getting the most qualified people to work in state government without fear of reprisal. It’s about getting the best and the brightest.”
Every application received by the incoming administration will be a public record when Kasich takes office, he said.
Those who submitted r sum s could see “their names splashed across newspaper headlines,” Nichols said.
The names of interest to newspapers will be a small minority.
Strickland provided information on applicants during his transition from governor-elect to governor even though he didn’t have to.
Kasich essentially admitted he was trying to find ways to get around the law when he becomes governor, but can’t come up with one.
“Ultimately, I’m going to lose this battle,” he said. “I tried to figure out a way to protect these folks, and it’s clear from Supreme Court rulings, at least at this point, I’m not going to win that.”
That’s a victory for transparency in government.