One-party rule

In America, no matter our political party, race or ZIP code, we believe government should be fair and honest.

So, when the FBI calls Ohio’s state legislature the most corrupt in the nation, we should all wonder what’s going on. Well, here are three cases that should concern you:

(1) The Redistricting Commission (which had five Republican members and two Democrats) was supposed to create new, fair voting districts based on the 2020 census. But the group’s efforts were such a sham that the state supreme court declared SIX times that the resulting maps were unconstitutional. This led to a $21M “second” primary.

(2) In July 2020, former Ohio Speaker Larry Householder and four allies were charged in a kickback scheme, taking $60 million from FirstEnergy and using it for personal enrichment, political gain, and to ensure passage of legislation worth an estimated $1.3 billion to the company. Two of the group have since pleaded guilty to racketeering. Householder has pleaded not guilty and awaits trial.

(3) And then there’s ECOT. A major Republican donor, William Lager, opened a virtual charter school with money taken from taxpayer dollars earmarked for public schools. The charter school failed, cheating 12,000 students out of an education and cheating Ohioans out of $117 million.

Some might claim both parties create scandals, but the biggest and most costly scandals come when there is one-party rule. For decades, Ohio has been under one-party rule caused by gerrymandering, and we’ve been left with higher costs and a flawed reputation. So, when you go to the polls this year, remember that state governments should be run by those who respect the laws, the courts and the will of the people.

Kathleen A. Tate

Howard