Tell Statehouse Leadership that they can't hide from the people of Ohio: Put Committee Hearings Online and on Ohio Government Television!
This has been an "interesting" National Sunshine Week (www.sunshineweek.org) in Ohio.
NO CAMERAS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE: On Tuesday, Governor Kasich outlawed cameras at his own Budget Press Conference, hoping to keep the public in the dark on his job killing two year budget. After being blasted by the Associated Press, the Ohio Newspaper Association, members of the Statehouse Press, and National groups like the ACLU, Kasich finally allowed in reporters.
TESTIMONY BLACKOUT: Continuing this week and next, the Commerce and Labor Committee in the House is hearing testimony on Senate Bill 5, the middle class destroying bill that will strip collective bargaining rights from Police, Firefighters, Teachers, Paramedics and other public workers.
Hundreds of citizens from across Ohio have signed up to testify but unless you are able to get the day off from work, drive down to Columbus, pay for parking, and be one of the first lucky dozen of people, you will never see their testimony. You are stuck in an information blackout.
The Statehouse should be open to all, not just the wealthy with free time! Stream all Committee Hearings on OhioChannel.org!
Recently State Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) concisely laid out the facts "Wiring for all the rooms in the Statehouse was completed as part of the $3 million renovation in 1996. Each room is equipped to record audio online and cameras could be rolled in or ideally, mounted on the walls if used permanently."
"There is absolutely no reason to continue practices that keep Ohioans from being able to be fully engaged in their state government. Further, a recent decision to provide video in committee hearings was made during the confirmation hearings of former Governor Ted Strickland's Director of the Department of Public Safety. As [SB5] moves forward the people of Ohio deserve to have public access and transparency into the legislative process."
Let's recap:
- Wiring for video was installed in 1996
- Cameras are available to record committee hearings
- Ohio Government Television (www.ohiochannel.org) has the technology and bandwidth to stream live
- The Republican controlled Senate allowed hearings to be recorded and streamed live in 2010
- Hundreds of people have signed up to testify on SB5 between the House and Senate
- Only a few dozen people are able to sit in the committee hearing room
So why do Republican Statehouse Leaders continue this information blackout? What are they trying to hide? Huge changes like SB5 are being made behind closed doors by career politicians and lobbyists while hard working Ohioans are left out in the cold once again.
Sunlight is the best disinfectant. Sign the petition and tell Statehouse leaders know that they can no longer operate in the dark. Ohioans deserve better.
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