From the Statehouse 2006 No. 09
by Jennifer Garrison
Mar. 11, 2006
STATEHOUSE ARTICLE 2006- 9
I believe principles are more important than politics. Each week I report my votes in this newspaper to be accountable to each of you and to inform you of recent legislation. This week I will be examining one bill, Amended Substitute Senate Bill 7, as it will require the entire column.
Amended Substitute Senate Bill 7, is known as the Worker’s Compensation Reform Bill. A version of this bill passed out of the Senate last year. After that time, the Bureau of Worker’s Compensation (BWC) scandal occurred. It came to light that political contributors to the Governor were given large investments to manage. Ohio invested $50 million in risky rare coins for the first time. The investor, a Taft contributor, has been charged with 53 felonies and is believed to have stolen $13 Million from the fund.
Other large contributors invested BWC monies in risky Bermuda hedge funds that were lost costing the BWC $215 million. Reports indicate state officials were notified of these problems, but withheld it from the public. The Bureau of Workers Compensation Administrator, James Conrad, resigned in disgrace. Presently, criminal investigations are underway.
The Bureau of Workers Compensation Oversight Committee made up of legislators and other appointees approved a measure last year to address the issue of “pay to play” at the BWC. This policy limits campaign contributions from investment managers to $250 for Governor candidates. They were getting rid of the potential for “pay to play” games and the appearance that state contracts at the BWC are for sale. In my opinion, this was a move in the right direction.
Amended Substitute Senate Bill 7, got on the fast track again this week. There were some very good components to Amended Substitute Senate Bill 7 that I believe will help move our state forward to be competitive in the future. These include:
establishing a $5000 medical-only claim program;
reducing the 40 week time period for Permanent Partial Disability compensation to 26 weeks;
adjustments to fraud and public records sections;
and it gives the BWC Administrator the power to set up a discount program to help employers who are ineligible to be in a group because of a significant claim.
An amendment added late Tuesday, blocked the $250 campaign contribution limit. Instead, Amended Substitute Senate Bill 7 allows investment managers to donate $1000 to governor candidates and up to $10,000 to candidates for other statewide offices. We are sending the wrong message to the people of Ohio by lifting the cap on the amount of money an investment manager can give to a governor candidate. Governor’s can influence which investment managers get lucrative State investment management contracts. Employers premiums are worthy of better treatment.
I take seriously the trust the people have bestowed on me and other public officials, to be a good steward of your tax dollars and in this case, employer’s BWC premiums. By voting for this bill, I would be saying I am not taking the corruption at the BWC seriously.
This could have been a fine day for Ohio. We lost opportunities presented by the bill. This bill could have been a vehicle to enact substantial reforms and respond to the bureau's investment problems.
An 11th hour amendment was added to increase Ohio’s minimum wage from $4.25 to $5.15 an hour. The federal minimum wage has been $5.15 for nearly 9 years and few workers make less an hour. I support this amendment.
In the end, the principles of good government and good stewardship of the people’s money outweighed the good things in Amended Substitute Senate Bill 7. So, I voted “no”. The bill passed.
You can reach Jennifer Garrison at her Columbus office at 614-644-8728 or in the district at 740-373-2414 or by e-mail at jennifer@jennifergarrison.com. Her website is Riffe Center | 77 South High Street | Columbus Ohio 43215-6111 | (800) 282-0253 | District93@ohr.state.oh.us
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