Bribery Scandal Spurs New Legislation

Ohio legislators on both sides of the aisle are scurrying to repeal House Bill 6, the bill central to the scandal that brought down Larry Householder in what is alleged to be the largest corruption scandal in Ohio history. Senate Bill 346 has been introduced by Sens. Sean O’Brien (D-Bazetta) and Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard). Similar to House Bill 738, introduced by Reps. Mike Skindell (D-Lakewood) and Michael O’Brien (D-Warren), the legislation would end HB 6.

Meanwhile, Rep. Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) and Rep. Jessica Miranda (D-Forest Park) have introduced House Bill 737 to curb independent expenditures from certain types of political action committees. Reps. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) and Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) dropped House Bill 739 to modify Ohio campaign finance law to restrict certain activity from specified political committees.

Finally, Reps. Skindell and Sedrick Denson (D-Cincinnati) have offered House Bill 740 to restrict the maximum amount of profit an electric utility is allowed under PUCO law. 7/30/2020