Lobbying, Ohio Style

The Columbus Dispatch points out today the shameless lobbying laws that are currently on the books in Ohio. Of course, Ohio republicans, the beneficiary of these lobbyist are in no hurry to change the law, which even if it was in any way enforceable, has no meaningful punishment. From the Dispatch:

Tony Bledsoe says Blockbuster has more power to enforce a late-return policy than he does to compel compliance with some state lobbying and disclosure laws.

Last year, for example, two companies that employ lobbyists refused to file required state forms that detail lobbying activity. But at the start of 2006, they were allowed to register again and keep lobbying because Bledsoe, the state legislative inspector general, has no power to stop them.

He couldn’t even fine them because, under Ohio law, the fine kicks in only after the company is officially notified of the offense — and both companies refused to accept the certified letters Bledsoe sent them. Even if he could fine them, the maximum penalty is $100.

The bottom line is that here in Ohio, we have no lobbying laws. It's no wonder the republican culture of corruption take such a strong foothold here. We need a long hard rain to wash the filth away, and only the election of Democrats is going to seed the clouds to bring that rain.