Last September, the 109th Congress passed (S.2590). Referred to as the “Coburn-Obama bill,” the new law creates a searchable online database of all entities and organizations receiving federal funds. Starting this January, citizens will be able to cut through the red tape and take a look at exactly who is benefiting from their tax dollars.
In […]

Today in the Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee, the Ohio Education Association (OEA) requested changes made by the Ohio House to the governor’s budget be repealed or amended.
In particular, OEA advocates argued that the STEM curriculum should remain in the state’s public schools. The House budget establishes separate facilities dedicated specifically for STEM students, […]

Do elected officials make enough money? State Rep. Dan Dodd (D-Hebron) would like to find out. During a hearing this last week before the House State Government and Elections Committee, Rep. Dodd argued in favor of his bill, HB 184. The measure seeks “to establish the Elected Officials Review Commission to study the […]

Every Friday, Eye on the Statehouse announces a “Fiscal Pistol.” It’s our way of recognizing an individual who, during the course of the week, demonstrated prudence in spending the people’s money.
This week’s pistol is Senator John Carey (R-Wellston), Chairman of the Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee and a member of the State Controlling Board. […]

Sparks flew today as State Chief Information Officer Steve Edmonson testified in front of the Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee. After discussing the Strickland Administration’s plan to provide broadband Internet across the entire state, Mr. Edmonson faced some quick questions from Senator Joy Padgett (R-Coshocton).
Senator Padgett expressed concern that the state would give […]

In November 2006, voters said no to Learn and Earn’s expanded state-sponsored gambling ballot issue. At the time, slot machine backers tried to tie gambling to scholarships. Now they want slots to help pay for in-home care for seniors and “horse riding therapy programs that help sick or disabled children.” If this one […]

Yesterday afternoon, the Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee grilled state agency witnesses over budgetary requests. The committee has set a goal of hearing all state agency testimony by the end of the week.
Legal Rights Services (LRS) faced questions over staffing levels. After discovering that the LRS receives around 3100 cases per year – […]

The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission likes to spend tax dollars on places and institutions that would probably do just fine on their own. The commission has provided funding to the Columbus-based BalletMet ($250,000), the Cincinnati Ballet ($200,000), the NFL Hall of Fame ($1.65 million) and the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center ($300,000).
It […]

Each Friday, Eye on the Statehouse announces its “Porker of the Week.” It’s our way of calling attention to a particularly big or wasteful spender.
This week’s “Porker” is the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS).
During testimony before the Ohio Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee, ODJFS Director Helen Jones-Kelly advocated for […]

Every Friday, Eye on the Statehouse announces a “Fiscal Pistol.” It’s our way of recognizing an individual who, during the course of the week, demonstrated prudence in spending the people’s money.
This week’s pistol is State Auditor Mary Taylor.
Following up on an audit of the Ohio Medicaid Program, Auditor Taylor recommended that the Senate […]