by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

(NOTE: This is a commentary written by Fred Swift of the Hamilton County Reporter. The views expressed are those of Fred Swift and do not necessarily reflect the views of LarryInFishers.com.  This opinion piece is posted here as part of a partnership between the Reporter and LarryInFishers.com)

Shortly after the November election, I listed three issues that I think deserve attention in this year’s state legislative session. They are matters that would benefit our citizens, namely the elimination of Pay to Play, stopping the gerrymandering of Hamilton County, and opening of the political party caucus when filling a vacancy in a public office.

Unfortunately, I don’t see much chance of success for my suggestions despite the fact that most people would probably agree these are corrections that should be made by state legislation. The trouble is that these are not matters on which the public pressures the legislature.

Regarding the first of these, Pay to Play, is the game whereby some corporations or individuals make campaign contributions to political candidates with the hope they will reward the donor with contracts for goods or services.

I spoke earlier this week with State Rep. Tony Cook of Cicero. Now in his fourth term, Cook is chairman of the House Ethics Committee. He agrees he “would like to see some of that curtailed.”

He points out it might be easier said than done. Each legislator can only submit 10 bills for consideration, and apparently none has authored one to curtail the pay to play scheme.

But, Cook says he will check with other legislators to see if there is a bill that could somehow tackle or include this issue. But, if there is something that could be found on the subject, a hearing on any bill is at the discretion of the Speaker of the House.

Then, there is a matter of definition and enforcement of something like pay to play. There is a fine line between legitimate lobbying and paying a legislator for his support, Cook notes.

But, Cook agrees he “does not feel it’s right” to offer obviously excessive contributions from folks hoping to get favored status.

So, without the public’s involvement, I don’t look for major change on this issue at this time. And, on the issues of gerrymandering and closed caucuses, look for even less action unless there is a public outcry.

We’ll try to keep watch, and hope that others do too.