Lobbyists for operator of Valley charter schools get cozy with GOP House members

Staff and wire report

COLUMBUS, Ohio

Records show lobbyists for an Akron charter-school magnate who is a significant Republican donor frequently communicated with Ohio House staff before GOP lawmakers unveiled a state budget proposal that included changes apparently catering to the donor.

The Columbus Dispatch analyzed records showing dozens of calls, emails and meetings between House Speaker William Batchelder’s aides and lobbyists for David Brennan. It found Brennan’s team developed a list of priorities presented to Batchelder, and the lobbyists crafted legislative language to match those priorities.

Brennan is chief of White Hat Management, which operates several charter schools in the Mahoning Valley, including Southside Academy, LifeSkills Centers of Youngstown and LifeSkills Center of Trumbull County in Warren.

Brennan’s top lobbyist says the frequent interaction with legislative staff is common and appropriate.

The lobbyist also worked with the nonpartisan Legislative Service Commission to draft budget amendments. The policy director for the House GOP caucus says that allowed him to avoid being the middleman if questions arose.