States Archives - Checks and Balances Project

Did Ohio House Leadership Set Up a Secret Sexual Harassment Tip Line?

2018-04-19

The Ohio House Administrative Office’s Jason Parsons told us, “I’m not sure that’s a public record.” We asked for a call back when he found out, but that never happened.

Powerful Lobbyist Steered Seitz Effort to Block Ohio Wind Power Jobs

2018-04-16

Newly-produced emails show the strong sway Sam Randazzo, a lobbyist for large industrial users of coal power, has had on Ohio wind-energy foe Rep. Bill Seitz’s efforts to keep the state’s strict property line setbacks in place.

City Attorney: Bakersfield Spent Over $12,000 Fighting Public Records Request on Vote to Kill PACE

2018-04-9

Bakersfield City Council members could have saved taxpayers thousands of dollars in lawyers and staff costs if they had just agreed to “cure and correct” their alleged Brown Act violation and hold a full public revote on the PACE program last year.

Former Speaker Rosenberger Avoided Questions About Seitz’s Behavior with a Non-Answer

2018-03-23

Ohio House Majority Leader Bill Seitz recently made comments about women that many people found to be degrading and offensive. Speaker Cliff Rosenberger swiftly accepted a public apology from Seitz, though the behavior occurred less than a week after House members attended a sexual harassment seminar.

The Inconvenient Questions Tour Begins in Ohio

2018-03-19

Last month, we sent a letter to Speaker Cliff Rosenberger that asked two questions concerning the conduct of Ohio House Majority Leader Bill Seitz. We’ve gotten no response, so we’re going to his district. Watch for our mobile billboard this week!

Kern County’s Claims That Behind-the-Scenes Meetings to Kill PACE Didn’t Happen Undercut by Lobbyist’s Subpoenaed Records

2018-03-17

Jimmy Yee’s records detail extensive contact with Kern County officials and point strongly in the direction of a public records act violation and state-prohibited “serial” meetings.

Silence from Ohio Speaker Rosenberger on Steps to Ensure Rep. Seitz’s Comments Aren’t a Pattern

2018-03-12

Seitz’s comments took place in Columbus not far from the Statehouse on January 23 — only days after Ohio House GOP caucus members were required by the Speaker to attend a mandatory seminar on avoiding sexual harassment led by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.

Kern County District Attorney’s Look Into “All Allegations” Should Include Brown Act Violations

2018-02-22

As the District Attorney starts her probe, we encourage her to ensure that any money from the now-infamous “political cover” grant application by the Bakersfield Association of Realtors (BAR) was used properly.

Records Suggest Bakersfield City Council Members Had Illegal “Serial Meetings” to Kill Homeowner Access to Popular PACE Financing

2018-02-15

What are Bakersfield council members still hiding about their coordination with realtor lobbyists?

California Association of Realtors Ducks Subpoena Questions About Vote to Kill PACE

2018-02-1

Despite Being a Signatory to Kim Schaefer’s “Political Cover” Grant Application, State Realtor Lobby Refuses to Give Up a Single Record of Its Lobbyist’s Communications on Issue