2007 Ohio Lobbying Expenses Up 52%-Bob Hagan takes his share
March 22,2008
Ohio's legion of registered lobbyists saw the expense of their activities increase by 52% last year, boosting total expenditures to $533,150, according to a new report issued by the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee.
The large majority of the increase came in the realm of legislative lobbying, with spending increasing from $336,686 to $525,977 from 2006 to 2007, the committee reported.
Much of the spending comes from legislative receptions and other events that all lawmakers are invited to attend, and also includes meals, awards and other items that might be provided to lawmakers under the state's lobbying laws.
The top-spending groups, according to JLEC, were the Wholesale Beer & Wine Association, which spent $31,270 on its legislative reception; the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, which spent $26,946 on three events; and Equality Ohio, which spent $20,845 on a legislative reception.
This report does not contain direct contributions groups made to individual members in the Ohio State Legislature.
According to campaign finance reports from the Ohio Secretary of State's Office, State Representative Bob Hagan really enjoys doing business with the Wholesale Beer and Wine Association. Bob Hagan accepted $950 in campaign donations from them since 2006 as illustrated in the report below.
WHOLESALE BEER AND WINE ASSOCIATION OF OHIO CP 127 37 WEST BROAD ST. STE. 710 COLUMBUS OH 43215 2007 100 01/31/2007 $250.00 FRIENDS OF BOB HAGAN
WHOLESALE BEER AND WINE ASSOCIATION OF OHIO CP 127 37 WEST BROAD ST. STE. 710 COLUMBUS OH 43215 2007 200 03/28/2007 $200.00 FRIENDS OF BOB HAGAN
WHOLESALE BEER AND WINE ASSOCIATION OF OHIO CP 127 37 WEST BROAD ST. STE. 710 COLUMBUS OH 43215 2007 400 10/30/2007 $250.00 FRIENDS OF BOB HAGAN
WHOLESALE BEER AND WINE ASSOCIATION OF OHIO CP-127 37 WEST BROAD ST. STE.710 COLUMBUS OH 43215 2006 100 03/06/2006 02/28/2006 $250.00 FRIENDS OF BOB HAGAN
While Bob Hagan portrays himself as a progressive liberal, the plain truth is he is just another inside politician who is bought and controlled by lobbyists. As an Independent Green Party Candidate for State Representative, I have pledged to take no money from Lobbyists or PACS.
If we want change in Ohio and the valley, we must begin electing people to Columbus who do not sell out to lobbyists and PACS.
Dennis Spisak-Independent Candidate for State Representative-60th District
Campaign web site: Http://votespisak.tripod.com