School choice expanding as record fine languishes

COLUMBUS (AP) — A school choice group socked for violating Ohio election law has yet to pay a record-setting $5.2 million fine imposed three years ago.

The Ohio Elections Commission unanimously ruled in 2008 that All Children Matter, based in Michigan, illegally funneled $870,000 in contributions from its Virginia political action committee to its Ohio affiliate. That violated a $10,000 cap on what Ohio-based political-action committees could accept from any single entity.

Ohio charter school operator David Brennan donated $200,000 to the Virginia entity ahead of the transfer.

Gov. John Kasich’s proposed budget continues to expand choice, doubling the number of school vouchers in the state and lifting a cap on community schools.

Calls left with Brennan and attorneys who represented All Children Matter were not returned. Collection has been turned over to Attorney General Mike DeWine.