Cutrona Pushes to End Dark Political Money in Ohio

State Rep. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield) announces his co-sponsorship of the ‘Light of Day’ bill, which seeks to shine light on campaign funding in order to end dark money.

“This is an opportune moment to strive for more transparency with Ohio’s campaign finance laws,” said Cutrona. “Ohioans deserve to have faith and trust within our institution, and moving forward with this legislation will help restore that to the Ohio House of Representatives. Because we deserve better.”

Specifically, the bill requires nonprofit entities, organizations, and corporations to file a disclosure that shows sources of all funds received and used for or against an issue or candidate on the ballot for any election in Ohio. The disclosure would be filed with the Secretary of State, and groups would face a criminal penalty for noncompliance. Key provisions of the legislation include the following:

• Separates the definitions of Political Action Committee and Political Contributing Entity;

• Removes exception for continuing association from current law; this will require that 501(c)(4)s, unincorporated groups, and LLCS file political expenditure disclosures;

• Any and all political contributions, regardless of dollar amount, donors and donations must be disclosed;

• Expands the definition of Political Contributing Entity. A PAC is formed for purely political purposes, while a political contributing entity is an organization that is engaging in political donations, but the creation of such organization is not for political purposes;

• Political Contributing Entities are required to keep separate accounts earmarked for political expenditure purposes;

• Individuals donating to Political Contributing Entities for political expenditures must be disclosed. Individuals donating to an organization for charitable purposes or purposes unrelated to political expenditures are not required to be disclosed; and

• Political Contributing Entities that refuse to create a separate account for political expenditures and donate to political causes out of their general funds must disclose all donations and donors.

Cutrona joins State Reps. Diane Grendell and Mark Fraizer, the sponsors of the legislation.