Open, Accountable and Transparent State Government Helps Everyone

Your state government is just that; yours. And for that reason you have a right to know what your government is doing at all times. That‘s why it is important to have an open, accountable and transparent state government.

There have been a number of disturbing examples where openness is not being observed, including putting major new policy directives into the state budget without any public hearings, exempting JobsOhio from public records and allowing lobbyists to work directly with the non-partisan Legislative Services Commission to write bill language.

 I have introduced a bill known as the “Taxpayer‘s Right to Know Act” (HB 113). My bill requires that all records from the performance or assistance of a public-private partnership with state functions are public records, and that such entities must conduct official business in open meetings. There will also be legislation introduced this fall to roll back attempts by some officials to stonewall public records requests.

I am also co-sponsoring a bill to limit special interest groups’ access to the bill-writing process. House Bill 294 – The Commonsense Transparency Bill – prohibits outside parties and individuals from meeting with the Legislative Services Commission (LSC) without a member of the General Assembly or their staff present. LSC is the non-partisan agency that assists the legislature in writing the specific language of bills. The Commonsense Transparency Bill also specifies any form of written, oral, or electronic communication as a meeting that must include either a member or their staff. While communication between lawmakers and LSC is confidential, the legislation would clarify state law that communications between outside groups or individuals and LSC would be considered public records. These steps will ensure that the process of developing legislation in Ohio is open and accountable.

Please make plans to join me at my next “Lundy Listens” town hall Sept. 17 at 2 p.m. at the North Ridgeville Public Library. You can also reach me with any comments on questions on state issues at district57@ohr.state.oh.us or 614-644-5076. I look forward to serving you.