Rep. Matt Lundy: JobsOhio Concerns Remain

Thursday, State Rep. Matt Lundy (D-Elyria) responded to the release of the State Auditor’s report on JobsOhio. The report found noncompliance with certain statutory requirements dealing with ethics statements and employee compensation. The report did little to examine the breadth or depth of alleged conflicts of interest at the controversial entity.

“This report shows why JobsOhio continues to be fertile ground for corruption,” said Rep. Lundy. “Sadly, Governor Kasich remains silent as Ohio trails the majority of the nation in job creation and JobsOhio staffers lavishly spend money and skirt around ethics. At some point, the organizational structure seems to be more about personal perks than creating jobs. “

Rep. Lundy sponsored The JobsOhio Accountability Act-- House Bill 189 --with State Rep. John Patrick Carney (D-Columbus) in June of this year to address the lack of transparency and accountability at JobsOhio.

“Until JobsOhio is subject to transparency, ethics and audits, it will continue to hide behind a curtain of secrecy,” Rep. Lundy added. “The lack of accountability will only result in more cozy deals and lavish spending with the public being left in the dark.”

The JobsOhio Accountability Act is a comprehensive four point plan to ensure accountability at the state’s controversial economic development entity and to bring JobsOhio in line with the same standards as other state agencies. It would restore state ethics and public records standards, require a full public audit by the Auditor of State, create a website to track the dollars, reinstate the Inspector General’s authority and establish whistleblower protections. 

The bill, which was referred to the Policy and Legislative Oversight Committee, has yet to receive a hearing.