Rep. Sweeney Wants Safeguards Guaranteed Before State Gives LaRose Funds for Publication of Issue 1 Materials

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Westlake) today argued before the Ohio Controlling Board that Secretary of State Frank LaRose must publicly guarantee any state funds the secretary has requested for the constitutionally required publication of materials including summaries and arguments for and against Issue 1 be free of political tampering and influence. 

“Frank LaRose has a well-documented history of trying to mislead voters on the issues when it’s something the secretary opposes. His embarrassing conduct as the Ballot Board chair where he rammed through intentionally false and deceptive ballot language on Issue 1 is just the most recent example. Before the state allocates the $405,000 in Controlling Board funds he’s requested, he owes it to the voters that he will publicly guarantee that as the state’s chief election officer any materials his office sends to news outlets across Ohio detailing the arguments for and against Issue 1 are free of partisan attacks and lies,” said Rep. Sweeney. 

Item #3 on the Monday, September 9th Controlling Board agenda is a request to transfer nearly $405,000 from the Controlling Board’s Emergency Purposes Fund to the Secretary of State's Office for the publication of Issue 1 summaries as well as arguments for and against the issue, as required by the Ohio Constitution.