Dayton Business Journal...
Ohio PACs flood dollars into federal campaigns
by Laura Englehart
Monday, March 12, 2012 

Ohio political action committees formed by businesses with area operations are taking in and spending thousands of dollars on federal campaigns with hopes their money will reach a listening ear on a high platform. 

Heavy hitters such as West Chester-based AK Steel, Columbus-based Cardinal Health, Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble Co. and Kroger Co. all have federal PACs, along with Dayton-based Dayton Power & Light Co., CareSource and Woolpert Inc., among others. 

Note: Click here for slideshow of richest Ohio PACs and biggest spenders. 

Federal election laws prohibit corporations and labor organizations from using their general treasury funds to make contributions or expenditures in connection with federal elections, but companies and unions can set up PACs to raise money and funnel cash to candidates who support their interests. Through their support, businesses gain more access to their government representatives. 

For corporations and unions, having a hand in elections is almost a must, if they want to have a say in legislative decisions. 

“I think when you look at the modern business climate, being politically active is a necessary evil,” said Mark Caleb Smith, director of Cedarville University Center of Political Studies in Greene County. “If there’s going to be some regulation in your industry, you want to have a role in that and … if you’re not donating money and resources, you’re not going to be a part of the process.” 

Several big banks with operations locally have raised and spent big bucks in Ohio, Federal Election Commission records show. 

Huntington Bancshares Inc.    PAC in the 2011-2012 election cycle raised $417,500 and distributed nearly $486,000 through Jan. 31. 

Fifth Third Bancorp    PAC has raised more than $276,000 and distributed $195,000 through Feb. 15. And KeyCorp    has two committees registered in Ohio with the FEC. Combined, those PACs have raised about $215,000 and distributed $175,500 through Jan. 31. 

Other companies with regional ties have pulled in considerable amounts: 

• Woolpert Inc. PAC has raised more than $87,400 and spent $45,100 through Dec. 31. The Kettering-based engineering firm has 160 employees locally. 

• AK Steel Corp. PAC has raised $61,300 and spent $42,500 through Dec. 31. AK Steel Holding Corp.    has 2,400 employees in the region. 

• Dayton Power & Light Co. Responsible Citizenship Fund has raised $43,700 and spent $37,000 through Dec. 31. DP&L parent company, DPL Inc.    , serves more than 500,000 customers in the region through its subsidiaries. DPL was bought by AES Corp.   

• CareSource Management Services Co. PAC has raised $35,600 and spent about $18,200 through Jan. 31. CareSource has almost 900 workers locally. 

Also with PACs set up in Ohio are AT&T Inc.    , Cincinnati Bell Inc.    , Messer Construction Co.    , Thompson Hine LLP    and Bricker & Eckler    LLP. 

Who’s getting the dollars raised by local PACs? Mainly Republican candidates for Congress and other nationwide political committees, which is not unusual, said Paul Leonard, former Ohio lieutenant governor who is now a local professor at Wright State University    . Traditionally, businesses have backed Republicans while unions have loyally supported Democrats. However, that paradigm has shifted somewhat in recent years: The money now often goes to the candidates perceived most viable, said Leonard, who also has served as a state representative and Dayton mayor. 

“Instead of investing in candidates that share their political philosophy, PACs are now trying to play the winners,” Leonard said. “As long as they can get access and have a chance of exerting influence, what’s the difference? You’ll see PACs that play both sides of the aisle.” 

Either way, companies and unions expect something back for their campaign contributions in an “I’ll scratch your back, if you scratch mine” kind of deal. 

“When companies and labor unions put political action committees together, make no mistake, they expect something tangible in return,” Leonard said. “That’s how it works. The mother’s milk of politics is money, plain and simple.” 

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