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Legislature OKs penalties for campaign-funding irregularities
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Legislation increasing criminal penalties against public offices that use public funding to support election campaigns is headed to Gov. John Kasich for his signature.
The Ohio House on Tuesday approved 93-1 changes to House Bill 326, one week week after the Ohio Senate OK’d the legislation.
The legislation has the backing of state Auditor Dave Yost and Secretary of State Jon Husted. It came in response, in part, to an audit by Yost’s office that identified improper spending by the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority.
According to the audit, that office illegally loaned nearly $67,000 to a political action committee promoting a levy to support TARTA.
Under Ohio law, such outlays are prohibited. Under HB 326, public officials who use public funding to support election campaigns could face misdemeanor criminal charges.