Columbus
Dispatch...
Budget promoters now
back Kasich
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
By Joe Vardon
Gov. John Kasich is getting political cover for his budget from two men
who did not appear to be on his side as a candidate last fall.
One Ohio United, a group that is raising money and producing
commercials to urge the passage of Kasich’s “Jobs Budget,” is chaired
by American Electric Power Chairman Michael Morris and supported by
Scotts Miracle-Gro CEO Jim Hagedorn.
Last fall, AEP pulled out of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce after the
business group endorsed Kasich for governor. Hagedorn appeared in a
commercial last fall for Kasich’s political opponent, then-Gov. Ted
Strickland, a Democrat.
One Ohio United’s first TV commercial, which hit the airwaves on
Monday, does not mention Kasich by name but urges the passage of a
budget “without raising taxes.”
When promoting his two-year, $55.6 billion budget, the Republican
Kasich often tells audiences that his budget eliminates an $8 billion
shortfall without raising taxes.
One Ohio United’s web-site makes mention of the “Jobs Budget” by name —
a name bestowed on it by Kasich.
“No matter who was elected, Ohio has to deal with this budget issue,”
said Gene Pierce, a spokesman for One Ohio United. “We have an
$8 billion deficit to fill, and we have to get the economy back on
track. That’s why this isn’t a political campaign. This is an
information campaign.”
Kasich said yesterday he was “not in the middle” of One Ohio United,
but said “it’s designed to basically say these are things we need to do
in the state.”
A source told The Dispatch that Brooke Bodney, Kasich’s campaign
fundraiser last fall, is raising money for One United Ohio.
One Ohio United was set up as a 501(c)(4) entity, which allows for
corporate money and limitless contributions from donors, whose
identities can remain secret.
The move echoes an end-run around campaign-finance laws last fall by
Our Future Ohio, a nonprofit organized by a close associate of
then-Speaker Armond Budish. The group, which raised more than $3
million to campaign on behalf of Strickland, didn’t have to disclose
its contributors.
Pierce said One Ohio United was formed solely to support Kasich’s
budget, not Senate Bill 5, the collective-bargaining law likely facing
a November referendum.
“All I’ve been hired to do is talk about the budget,” Pierce said. “We
expect to go away after July 1 when the budget is passed.”
Morris could not be reached for comment. AEP said it pulled out of the
Ohio Chamber last fall in protest of the chamber breaking its
long-standing tradition of not endorsing anyone — and not necessarily
in protest of Kasich’s endorsement. The utility rejoined after the
election.
But Strickland used to publicly tout his relationship with Morris,
telling The Dispatch editorial board in September that “I talk to Mike
Morris all the time.” Strickland added that Morris called him
unsolicited last year to offer support for his plan to fill a budget
hole by delaying a planned income-tax cut.
In a letter to One Ohio United supporters posted on the group’s
website, Morris said, “Ohioans believe the state needs a budget that is
good for the economy; one that does not raise taxes; one that frees
localities to manage their monies more efficiently; and one that stops
the loss of jobs.”
“The voters are looking for their legislators to act and do not want to
be distracted by special interests’ arguments over specific cuts,”
Morris said, later adding: “By supporting the ‘Jobs Budget,’ our
elected leaders are sending a powerful message to job providers that
Ohio is fighting to be the most competitive state in the nation.”
The letter was co-signed by Hagedorn and Samuel Miller, co-chairman of
the board at Forest City Enterprises.
Reached by phone, Miller said he was “not prepared to speak about” One
Ohio United.
Lance Latham, a spokesman for Hagedorn at Scotts, said Hagedorn was
lending his voice to One Ohio United because “he believes it’s critical
that everyone understands the serious budget issues facing Ohio.”
Though One Ohio United is not required to unveil its donors, listed on
its website are 37 individuals and businesses said to have “joined our
team.”
On that list is Chesapeake Energy, which has poured millions of dollars
into purchasing Utica shale mineral rights in Ohio in anticipation that
drilling will be allowed in public parks.
Also included on that list is Cintas founder Richard Farmer, one of
Ohio’s biggest Republican donors; Ranjan Manoranjan, who was appointed
by Kasich to the Ohio Casino Control Commission; and Hans Jindal, a
deputy in Strickland’s Department of Transportation.
Read it at the Columbus Dispatch
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