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Will a change in structure result in a stronger, more efficient Cuyahoga County government?
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Northeast Ohio Poll
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Below is my letter that was printed in the Plain Dealer today, November 11, 2009. Is there anyone at Advance NE Ohio who wants to work with the Cleveland Committee on Corporations, the Law & Democracy on public funding of campaigns, so that those who fund elections will actually be the same people (voters) who have to live with the results?
To the Editor: In "County government reform is likely to happen in stages," page A1, Nov. 9, 2009, reporter Laura Johnston notes: "In the first few months under the charter, council members are expected to tackle a code of ethics and campaign finance reform."
Why on earth should such matters be left to politicians who have just relied on private money to get elected? Why would the long-suffering Cuyahoga County public want county council members to be able to determine who will be able to buy influence and how?
Although the League of Women Voters apparently was not bothered by the lack of a provision for campaign finance reform in Issue 6, some of us regular old voters were.
Voluntary public funding of campaigns should gain credence in corruption-ridden Cuyahoga County. Qualifying candidates who forego private money from any source receive public funds for their campaigns. No candidate is forced to participate, but those who do find they actually like being accountable to the voters, who after all, are also their funders.
It's called "Clean Money," and it would be a step toward real democracy and real reform.
Carla Rautenberg
Cleveland Heights
Carla, I'd be glad to share information about your committee with members of the Fund and partners in Advance Northeast Ohio. Contact me at cthompson@futurefundneo.org.
Best wishes,
Chris
Dear Ms. Rautenberg, You believe "the League of Women Voters was not bothered by the lack of a provision for campaign finance reform in issue #6." Nothing could be farther than the truth. League at all levels has worked for decades for measures to insulate candidates for public office from the influence of those who contribute money and favors to them, from our judicial independence stands at the state level to support for McCain-Feingold and to oppose its court challenges at the national level. We are also part of a national coalition working for public funding of congressional and senatorial races as well.
We have already begun researching codes of ethics (including campaign contribution and conflict of interest concerns) from comparable charter counties and cities around the country. Other supporters of both issues #6 and #5 have also pledged to link up to do likewise. The details of such codes are usually found in the county's or city's codified ordinances rather than in their charters, because charters, like constitutions, should remain at much as possible general statements of structure, powers and principles.
It is true that Cuyahoga County's new charter requires only this: The Council shall "establish by ordinance a code of ethics, which shall be in addition to, and not inconsistent with, general law on the subject, which shall guide and inform County officers and employees in the performance of their official duties in a manner that will represent high standards of professionalism and loyalty to the residents of the County and that will avoid conflicts of interest, self-dealing and other violations of the public trust." [3.09(8)] We believe this is a strong statement of principle.
State Law also currently contains a code which prohibits regular county employees from being required to contribute to re-election campaigns of their employers. It is an exception and a flaw (in my view) in that law, which fails to outlaw employee contributions within the independent, elective "Row Offices." It is that loophole which our own future county ethics ordinance must plug, at the same time as it strives to improve upon general current general law on other ethical issues as well. The job will be easier, though, because the charter reduces from eight to one the number of "Row Officers" who will ever again need to raise funds for their re-election, period. They or their replacements will in stead be hired according to experience and qualifications.
When the elected Council debates and ultimately passes such a code of ethics 14 months from now, it will have to do so in public hearings and debate, and they will hear the results of League's new research as well as that of others who work on it in 2010. Public input into their end product also NEEDS to come from citizens such as yourself who clearly have ideas as to what should be included. In the meantime, we would also invite you to make the League aware of your ideas on public funding, clean money, or other transitional matters. Voting YES on #6 was only the first step. Now it's up to all of us change agents to keep our eyes on the ball and make our new creation work for us!
The web address of the League chapter in your area is LWVCuyahogaArea.org. We hope to hear from you. And thanks for watchdogging this whole exciting new process.
Lynda Mayer (Leagues' County Government Committee)
I agree with echo Ms. Mayer's comments. The League of Women Voters still maintains a reputation as a credible source of information for voters and would not support an issue not in the public's best interest.
Please be reminded that the League has an active observer corps that is present at every Commissioners' meeting and will continue to be a presence through the transition period.
Might I suggest we pool our concerns and resources and spend our energies ensuring an effective transition instead of assigning fault?
Just my thoughts.